American Rivers Publications and Reports

(January 2012) American Rivers’ series of new reports highlights the economic benefits of green infrastructure strategies to better manage polluted runoff. These practices, from rain gardens to green roofs, work by capturing rainwater where it falls. By reducing the polluted runoff that flows into rivers and streams, green infrastructure practices play a critical role in protecting clean rivers. Unlike most traditional water infrastructure, green infrastructure practices can help communities save money while also providing a number of economic benefits that include reduced costs, increased energy efficiency, mitigating flooding and improving air quality.

(June 2011) This report provides a snapshot of a single round of successful and highly sought after Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) floodplain easements in the Upper Mississippi River Basin states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Floodplain easements are a cost-effective way to minimize flood impacts, reduce repeat damages, and store floodwaters for benefits of downstream residents and communities.

(May 2011) Many federal policies still encourage the same backward-looking water management approaches that didn’t work in the past and are even less suited to the future. These ten reforms are some of the best ways we can change outdated federal policies and embrace a forward-looking approach to water management. They represent proactive steps Congress and the Executive Branch can take to address climate change.

(January 2011) “The Value of Green Infrastructure” provides a framework to help communities measure and value the air quality, energy use, and many other benefits that green infrastructure provides. It allows communities to more accurately compare different infrastructure investments and choose the option that provides the greatest long-term benefit.

(November 2010) “Natural Defenses: Safeguarding Communities from Floods” calls on Congress and the Administration to adopt a 21st century approach to flood management. In a changing climate, our nation is in dire need of national flood risk management policies that protect and restore the nation’s natural defenses – our wetlands, rivers, floodplains, and upland areas.

(September 2010) American Rivers new report evaluates the groundbreaking water infrastructure investment in green infrastructure pioneered under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) that provided $1.2 billion for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmental innovation. Our report highlights how states have been using their allotment of federal dollars. Nearly 30 percent of state water infrastructure dollars went to green strategies -- well over and above what was mandated by the Act. We highlight innovative examples of how communities have used these funds and make recommendations for how these funds should be used and improved in the future to ensure clean and reliable water.

(May 2010) As part of our effort to educate local communities on the vast benefits and opportunities associated with private land conservation, our Waccamaw River Blue Trail partners are hosting a series of workshops. The first of these workshops, “The Benefits of Conservation Planning: A Workshop for the Tax Professional” provided accountants, estate planners, and tax attorneys with information on conservation easements and planning. Presentations were made by the Pee Dee Land Trust, United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Turner Padgett, LLP a local law firm whose staff specializes in conservation planning. This toolkit was created as an outline of the discussion so that all may have access to the information offered.

(March 2010) American Rivers has investigated the spending history and authority of several agencies to fund green solutions to stormwater management in Pennsylvania. The Green Project Reserve has provided a timely model from which agencies can transform the state’s failing water infrastructure by progressively integrating greener solutions, backed by greener investments, to manage polluted stormwater runoff.

(March 2010) This manual provides stormwater managers and site designers with a common understanding of Low Impact Development (LID) goals and objectives, site assessment considerations, and a toolbox of stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) applicable to the Lower Maumee and Ottawa River watersheds. BMP information includes design guidelines, specifications, details, and maintenance concerns as well as assistance in selecting the BMPs based on the unique characteristics of a particular site. This is a technical manual and the information provided is targeted toward engineers, planners, landscape architects, and technical staff, as well as policymakers and developers.

(December 2009) “A Citizen’s Guide to the Corps of Engineers,” produced by American Rivers in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, is a resource for individuals and organizations that care about the health of our waterways and want to improve the way the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans, constructs, operates, and issues permits for projects affecting the nation’s rivers, coasts, and wetlands.

(September 2009) The impacts of global warming will hit rivers and river communities first and worst, in the form of increased droughts, floods, and waterborne diseases. Along with decreasing global warming pollution, protecting and restoring rivers must be part of the solution. Healthy rivers boost community safety and security, building resilience against these impacts and helping communities thrive in the face of a changing climate. American Rivers is shining a national spotlight on how global warming is threatening river health, clean water, and water supplies, and we are promoting 21st century green infrastructure solutions that protect communities and enhance health, safety and quality of life.

(July 2009) This document describes the benefits of sustainable stormwater practices and details the key elements of a strong stormwater ordinance that will meet the clean water challenges Maryland faces using innovative and cost-effective techniques.

(June 2009) A white paper developed by American Rivers and the Native Fish Society which summarizes the ecological and recreational values and attributes of the Molalla River in Oregon. This report highlights the need to protect the river's wild and native fish, its numerous recreational opportuntiies, and the clean drinking water it provides to the local area by obtaining Wild and Scenic designation for the river and its forested riverside lands.

(May 2009) Benefits of Wild and Scenic River Designation for Northwest and National River Systems

(November 2008) This white paper developed by American Rivers describes the ecological benefits of the cold fish-bearing tributaries of the Wild Rogue River. It highlights the importance of protecting thermal/cold water refugia for Rogue River salmon and steelhead, particularly in the face of threats from logging and climate change.