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Two Outstanding Rivers You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Posted on April 28, 2008 | Filed Under Northeast, River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

David Moryc, Director
River Heritage Campaign, Go Wild!

Last Wednesday Chris O’Shea of the Missisquoi River Basin Association testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands (I think we need a rivers and waters committee) on behalf of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in Vermont. U.S. Rep. Welch has introduced a bill that asks the National Park Service to study these rivers for Wild and Scenic status. We are hopeful we’ll se this happen this year as a part of our 40×40 Campaign. I hope to paddle and fish these rivers someday but until then I think Chris’ story about them in his testimony below is the next best thing.

“Good morning. On behalf of the deer, moose, ospreys, beavers, brown trout, loons, brown bears, bobcats, beavers, foxes, bald eagles, snapping turtles, fisher cats, porcupines, mink, ravens, muskrats, coyotes, geese, herons, owls, river otters, and the good people of the ten communities that lie along the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers, I thank you for hearing this testimony on why these two rivers are worthy of study by the National Park Service for possible inclusion in the Wild & Scenic program.”

“Where these rivers run there are no shopping malls, no big box stores, no multiplexes, no four-lane highways, no gated communities, no stoplights. What’s there, is open spaces of forests and fields, beautiful four-season open space that stretches from Lake Champlain to the Green Mountains and beyond. The defining factor in all that open space is the Missisquoi River, it’s broad flood plain lending itself to agriculture from the time of the Abenakis to the days of Agrimark. In summer it’s a ribbon of green, in winter a frozen white wonder. If you love to hunt or fish, skate or swim, paddle or pedal, you will love where these rivers run.”

“The Missisquoi, the name comes from the Abenaki term for crooked river, is one of the last watersheds remaining in the United States that is devoted almost entirely to family dairy farming. Even within the boundaries of the villages that the river flows through you will find family farms along its fertile banks. And while many will decry agriculture as a major cause of water pollution, it is the main reason the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers are worth the time and money to preserve them and the way of life family farming offers. Agriculture and clean water can co-exist where the people are willing and the necessary funding is available.”

“There is plenty of pollution, mostly in the form of excessive phosphorous, along these rivers, as our group has documented. Missisquoi Bay, where the river empties into Lake Champlain eighty miles from its headwaters, is impaired and the current object of an over $20 million federal Clean & Clear clean-up.”

“None of the ten villages along these two rivers has more than a thousand people living in it, and most have less than five hundred. Only three have the infra-structure necessary for further economic expansion, and this is another place where the Wild & Scenic program could aid those communities with both guidance and funding.”

“Why, you may ask, seek Wild & Scenic status for a place that is already wild and scenic? Because we want to keep it that way and without the ways and means to hold off the forces of urbanization, the greater Missisquoi Valley will eventually look just like everywhere else. As an old dairy farmer said to me recently: you know, we’re a place that can still pretty much feed it’s own, and I do believe that’s worth something to somebody.”

“Already we are seeing market forces eroding the family farms. Go big or get out is the mantra too often heard. Or go small and organic. The river flows to the sea, the milk to market, and the money to the agri-giants. If by preserving the river we can preserve the families living along it, then we will have made government that is truly of, by, and for the people.

It is these family farms that provide easy access to the river, whether you want to fish, swim, paddle, or ride your bike along the rail trail. Some of the best flatwater paddling in New England can be found on the upper reaches of the Missisquoi and the Trout is a place where a fly-fisherman can have a pool to him or herself on a Saturday morning. Big Falls will make you afraid of the river, Green River Farm will make you want to jump in it.”

“Why include the Trout River in this study? Although the Trout is much smaller, it should be included in the study as well because it is largely a microcosm of the greater Missisquoi, deep pools, shallow runs, open farm meadows, hard and softwood forests. If our studies reveal that the Missisquoi is not suitable for designation, we are quite certain that the Trout will be. And if both make the grade, as any brother and sister should, it’s a good day for the wild life.”

“Another unique factor in this designation is that the Missisquoi flows north into Quebec for fifteen miles and then turns back south into Vermont in the town of Richford. Already our Canadian friends have asked about what kind of possible joint venture this wild & scenic designation sets up between our two countries. In an era of growing fear and loathing along our borders, leave it to a great river to calm troubled waters.”

“As the river changes its flow with each new spring, so too must we change to keep it clean and healthy. We are not fighting change here, only trying to channel it in a direction that benefits the river and the living beings along its banks. It may not happen in my lifetime, but my childrens’ time a glass of clean water will become far more valuable than a barrel of crude oil. Please help us leave our children those healthy waters .”

“Thank you for your time.”

Chris O’Shea
Missisquoi River Basin Association

Our latest Wild and Scenic River on its way to passage!

Posted on April 11, 2008 | Filed Under River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

David Moryc, Director
River Heritage Campaign, Go Wild!

Great news from the nation’s capitol. Late on Wednesday the U.S. Senate voted 91-4 for Wild and Scenic River protection for the Eightmile River in Connecticut as a part of a larger public lands bill. We are confident that the U.S. House will also pass this bill and it will be signed into law by the President.

The Eightmile River watershed lies in the largest unfragmented forest region in coastal Connecticut and its scenic beauty, historic character, abundant fisheries and myriad wildlife serve as a tremendous source of pride for the folks in the communities along its banks.

Thanks to all of the folks who worked so hard on this, but particularly Tony Irving and Damon Hearne at the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee. Props to Nathan Frohling at the Nature Conservancy and American Rivers’ own Jamie Mierau too.

Equally as important this breaks the long jam that had formed in the Senate blocking public rivers and lands bills and frees up room for our 13 other Wild and Scenic bills to move forward!! Much work is left to be done but this is a great day!

Six hotspots for protecting the Northwest’s wild rivers

Posted on April 3, 2008 | Filed Under Northwest, River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

Amy Kober
Northwest Outreach & Communications Director

Spring has arrived in Seattle, and in addition to blooming salmonberry and longer days, that means summer river trip planning is underway! Every year our Northwest staff, along with friends, partners and spouses get together for a trip. We had a great time on the Salmon last year. This year we’re heading to the Grande Ronde. (The Salmon and the Ronde are just two of the region’s many Wild and Scenic rivers.)

This year, 2008, is the 40th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. American Rivers was founded 35 years ago to protect more of our nation’s best, free-flowing rivers as Wild and Scenic, and in this anniversary year we’re rededicating ourselves to saving wild rivers from new dams and other harmful development.

Our Northwest office just published a short report, outlining our work to designate new Wild and Scenic rivers in six key areas:

Washington –

North Cascades
Volcano Country
Olympic Peninsula

Oregon –

Great rivers of Mount Hood
Wild Rogue and Kalmiopsis
John Day River

Find out more about the rivers we’re working to protect: There’s something special about a wild river (PDF)

You can also view the interactive version.

I’m a Self-Interested Conservationist at Heart

Posted on March 24, 2008 | Filed Under River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

David Moryc, Director
River Heritage Campaign, Go Wild!

I admit it. I’m a self-interested conservationist. My love of fishing, whitewater boating and simply put, enjoying the joy brought by rivers. My desire to learn about everything from the life cycles of fish and wildlife, how, when and why aquatic bugs hatch, and the power of a river at flood stage to both destroy and create are all expressions of my self-interest.

I admit it. This self-interest led me down a path to want to passionately protect rivers. Sometimes it’s alright to do the right thing for the wrong reason. After eight years on this path for American Rivers in the Pacific Northwest, I was recently asked to take over as Director of our Go Wild! Initiative, which not only has the pithiest campaign name at American Rivers but strives to protect our most outstanding rivers nationwide.

We use tools like the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Clean Water Act. I feel privileged to take over this initiative because it is at the core of why American Rivers was founded 35 years ago this week, to take a stand and say some rivers are just too valuable and too beautiful to destroy.

We’ve come a long way in the past four decades, major obsolete dams are being removed such as Marmot Dam (watch the YouTube below) in Oregon and Milltown in Montana (Denver Post article), but unfortunately there is a wave of new threats to our best rivers nationwide.

New dams are on the drawing board (Divide Develops Over Dam). Logging proposals in our most cherished watersheds are in the pipeline (learn more: Save the Wild Rogue). Once again we need to stand up and say some rivers are just too valuable and beautiful to destroy.

Help Stop Floodplain Development in Eastern PA

Posted on November 2, 2007 | Filed Under Flood Protection, Mid-Atlantic, River Renewal, Wild and Scenic

Joyce Wu, Program Associate
Natural Flood Protection

The federal government and local agencies want to build a 12-story bus depot, parking garage and condominium development in the Delaware River floodplain – on a site that has been repeatedly covered by floodwaters. The proposed development, the Riverwalk, would loom over historic districts in Easton and Phillipsburg, PA. You can help stop this development and keep people safe from future flooding!

Please attend a public hearing to oppose this affront to Easton, Phillipsburg, and the Wild and Scenic Delaware River. The ONLY PUBLIC HEARING will be held on Monday, Nov. 15th at 6:00 pm, in Easton City Council Chambers, 5th Floor, Alpha Building, 1 South Third St., Easton, PA.

You can also help by sending a letter to the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) and telling them to protect the Wild and Scenic Delaware River and the would-be victims of future flooding!

Progress on Tuolumne continues

Posted on October 10, 2007 | Filed Under Alerts, California, Endangered Rivers, Outreach, Wild and Scenic

Chelsea Lane-Miller, Associate Director of Outreach
Outreach Events and Activities

Local efforts to protect the Tuolumne River (pdf), listed as one of AMERICA’S MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS: 2005 Edition, are paying off (watch this TV news report on the campaign to protect the Tuolumne).

Awhile back, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission scrapped plans to build a huge pipeline across the San Joaquin Valley, which would have sucked more water from this national Wild and Scenic River. However, there are still plans in the works to divert an additional 25 million gallons per day from the river.

The Tuolumne River Trust has been steadfast in their opposition to this water diversion proposal. Now, the San Francisco Planning Department has extended the public comment period in response to concerns that the� proposed required flow regime (amount of water in the river) would not� be sufficient to prevent salmon populations in the Tuolumne River from declining.

The Tuolumne River Trust, Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, California Department of Fish and Game and other agencies submitted comments that resulted in the extension of the comment period.

You, too, can submit comments today to help protect the Tuolumne River:

You have until October 15 to submit written comments. A sample letter is available at http://www.tuolumne.org/content/article.php/action_bayarea

Send comments to:
Paul Maltzer, Environmental Review Officer
San Francisco Planning Department
1650 Mission Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103

Send emails to: wsip.peir.comments@gmail.com

More River Action Day coverage

Posted on October 9, 2007 | Filed Under Events, Outreach, Sewage, Wild and Scenic

Chelsea Lane-Miller, Associate Director of Outreach
Outreach Events and Activities

Over the past few weeks, we’ve posted several blogs about our annual River Action Day, held on Sept. 25th this year. Hopefully those have been interesting and useful — but it’s always better to hear it from someone who came to Washington, DC for the event.

Here’s a post from one of the participants — who came last year as well — with her take on the event. And, this blog talks about participants who got hometown media coverage about their trip to the nation’s capital.

You can also read this recap on the event that focuses on sewage right-to-know efforts, or specifically about the progress made on Wild and Scenic Rivers.

River Activists Provide a Big Boost for Wild and Scenic Rivers

Posted on October 5, 2007 | Filed Under California, Events, Northeast, River Heritage, Southeast, Southwest, Wild and Scenic

Quinn McKew, Director of River Heritage
River Heritage, Go Wild!

Yes, it’s been a while since our official River Action Day in Washington, DC, last week. But I wanted to let people know about the power of dedicated local voices to effect change in the ponderous capital city. In the week since local activists gave up their time to come and speak out on the need to support our Wild and Scenic Rivers, the following has happened:

1. The entire Vermont Congressional delegation introduced legislation that could lead to the first Wild and Scenic River designation in the state on the Missisquoi River

2. Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act, which would designate four new gorgeous desert rivers as Wild and Scenic in Southern California

3. We got our first Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), on legislation to study the Perquimans River for a Wild and Scenic designations

4. Last but not least, after one of our participants, Mayor Tony Gioia of Camp Verde, AZ, flew up to meeting with Senator McCain in the green room of the David Letterman show the day after River Action Day, the Senator agreed to quickly move his legislation to designate Fossil Creek a Wild and Scenic River!

All of this is a testament to the power of dedicated, local voices.

River Action Day participants gain traction on local issues

Posted on October 5, 2007 | Filed Under Events, Outreach, Sewage, Wild and Scenic

Chelsea Lane-Miller, Associate Director of Outreach
Outreach Events and Activities

At River Action Day this year, all participants spoke to their Members of Congress about designating more Wild and Scenic Rivers and protecting the public from sewage pollution.

But each one of them also took the opportunity to speak about local issues important to them and the rivers that run through their communities. And, several of them are making progress on these issues — two media stories, one from Colorado and one from Texas, talk about the efforts of some River Action Day participants.

It’s wonderful to see people speaking out for rivers. Hopefully the attention these advocates are bringing to their hometown rivers will translate into positive decisions for the rivers and for the communities that depend upon them.

4th annual River Action Day a success

Posted on September 27, 2007 | Filed Under Events, Outreach, Sewage, Wild and Scenic

Chelsea Lane-Miller, Associate Director of Outreach
Outreach Events and Activities

This past Tuesday, September 25th, American Rivers hosted the fourth annual River Action Day. We wanted to give you a quick recap of the day’s events:

72 river activists made it to town from all over the country, 28 states in all, including the District of Columbia.

4 VIPs attended the event including Major Tony Gioia of Camp Verde, AZ; microbiologist Dr. Joan Rose from Michigan State (who also delivered our keynote speech at Monday’s training); Chief Calleen Siske-Franco of the Winnemem-Wintu Tribe of Northern California; and American Rivers board member Rick Holten.

Activists and staff went on more than 174 scheduled Hill visits, including 24 meetings with Members of Congress. The final tally is probably closer to 200 including drop-by visits.

7 Members of Congress attended our reception in the Capitol including our three awardees Representatives Bishop (D-NY), LoBiondo (R-NJ), and Dicks (D-WA). Representatives Carney (D-PA), Petri (R-WI), Coble (R-NC), and Atkin (R-MO) also stopped by for a drink.

6 new cosponsors joined the Sewage Right-to-Know bill by the end of Tuesday as a DIRECT result of lobbying by our activists. The bill is now scheduled for a hearing in the House on October 16th.

Rep. Myrick (R-NC) co-sponsored the Perquimans Wild and Scenic study bill, giving it bipartisan support.

The Vermont delegation introduced legislation to study the Missisquoi River for Wild and Scenic designation.

And, finally, Sen. McCain (R-AZ) began pressing for the Senate to move his bill and designate Fossil Creek as a Wild and Scenic River.

American Rivers wants to thank all River Action Day participants for speaking out for healthy rivers at this year’s River Action Day. Check out this blog for even more information on the event.

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