Protecting Rivers & Your Clean Water
Finding the connection on Amethyst Brook
William Robert (Bob) Irvin, President
April 9, 2013 | Dams & Dam Removal
At American Rivers we like to say that rivers connect us, but how do you reconnect a river? That was the question I was pondering on a cold April day along the banks of Amethyst Brook in western Massachusetts. One of the things that makes American Rivers so effective is that, in addition to advocating laws, policies and practices that protect and restore rivers and clean water, we are also leaders on the ground, working with partners and communities to remove outdated dams, establish Blue Trails, and construct green roofs and rain gardens.
Read more »Miles Per Gallon for Raindrops - What is a Performance Based Standard for Managing Stormwater?
Gary Belan, Director, Clean Water Program
April 5, 2013 | Stormwater & Sewage, Urban Rivers, Water Pollution
American Rivers has been a leader on clean water issues for some time now, and nowhere is this more evident than in our work on stormwater. In particular, we have been working to ensure that the USEPA comes out with a balanced and effective approach to managing stormwater in its anticipated new stormwater rule.
Read more »Water Water Is Not Everywhere
Jenny Hoffner, Senior Director, Water Supply
April 2, 2013 | Most Endangered Rivers, Water Supply
From where I sit in Georgia, it’s spring. The rains are here, flowers are in bloom (as they have been since January), rivers are running high(er), and drought, at least for now, is far from the headlines. Yet, I know what is lurking just around the corner. Drought and water issues will be making news again this summer in communities across the Southeast, like a recurring bad dream.
Read more »A Bleak Assessment for Rivers
Amy Trice, Lapham Conservation Fellow
March 28, 2013 | Stormwater & Sewage, Water Pollution
Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency released a study which assesses the health of rivers and streams across the country. While the good news is that the National Rivers and Streams Assessment (NRSA) provides important data to monitor river health; the bad news is that more than half of our streams and rivers remain in poor condition.
Read more »Hope Valley Meadow Restoration: Benefits for Focal Bird Species
Julie Fair, California Restoration Associate
March 27, 2013 | Water Supply
American Rivers is leading an effort to restore Hope Valley Meadow, an iconic recreation destination and integral component of the Upper Carson River watershed. Hope Valley Meadow is a valuable ecological and recreational resource, but has been significantly degraded by historical land use impacts. American Rivers is currently working with diverse project partners to develop restoration designs to improve Hope Valley’s range of ecosystem services, including habitat improvements for birds and other wildlife.
Read more »Finding New Ways To Access Your River
Evan Reimondo, Restoration and Outreach Coordinator, AmeriCorps Member
March 26, 2013 | Blue Trails
Did you know that, at least in California, any time a new bridge is built or an old one replaced, the overseeing governmental agency is obligated to conduct a study on the feasibility of providing public access to the river? No? Well neither did we!
Read more »Stepping back in time on the Loxahatchee River
Scott Bosse, Director, Northern Rockies
March 25, 2013 | Wild and Scenic Rivers
Once a year my parents would take me to my favorite local haunt – the Loxahatchee River in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. There, we’d rent a canoe and head into the riverine wilderness looking for manatees, turtles and alligators. I remember feeling like I was exploring the remotest reaches of the upper Amazon, not knowing what fascinating creatures might lie around the next bend.
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