Eileen Fretz
Flood Policy Director
Department: Government Relations
Area of Focus: Eileen works with Congress and the Obama administration to advance positive federal river policy such as designation of new Wild and Scenic Rivers and dam and levee safety.
Background: Eileen joined American Rivers in 2006. Prior to that she interned at National Wildlife Federation, the National Environmental Trust, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Education: B.S. in Environmental Science from Elizabethtown College, and M.A. in Environmental and Resource Policy from The George Washington University
Favorite River: Appenzell Creek in my parents' backyard
Blog Posts By This Author
New WRDA, Same Old Congress
May 8, 2013 | Floods & Floodplains
This week, the Senate is debating a bill called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), S 601, that will tell the Army Corps of Engineers what water infrastructure to build on our nation’s rivers and coasts. WRDA is usually a long list of flood control, navigation, water supply, ecosystem restoration projects that Congress wants built, but, the earmark ban means Members have had to find more creative ways to bring home the bacon.
Read more »Rebuilding Better in New York
February 11, 2013 | Climate Change, Floods & Floodplains
Soon after Hurricane Sandy hit, devastating much of the Northeast, politicians and experts took to the press to urge the government to help communities rebuild “better”. But what exactly does rebuilding “better” mean?
Read more »Mississippi River Mayors Advise Communities Affected By Sandy
December 21, 2012 | Floods & Floodplains
Over the weekend, Mayors from the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative penned some advice to local officials along the east coast who are struggling to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. It was great to see these Mississippi River mayors reaching out to their peers on the coast and voicing some of the shared concerns of living in flood-prone areas.
Read more »Tell Congress Missouri River Restoration = Flood Protection
May 23, 2012 | Floods & Floodplains, Climate Change, Most Endangered Rivers
The nation’s longest river, the Missouri River, is back on the Most Endangered Rivers list at #4 this year. We need your help to keep the Missouri River on the road to recovery and stop misguided efforts to undo river restoration.
Read more »Flood the Hill Week! Call your Senators!
May 8, 2012 | Floods & Floodplains, Climate Change, Water Pollution
Keep communities safe from floods. Call your Senators today: ask them to pass The Flood Insurance Modernization and Reform Act.
Read more »