Our Capitol Hill Briefing on Climate Change

September 24, 2009 | Global Warming, Greening Water Infrastructure, Stormwater & Sewage, Water Efficiency, Water Supply, Restoring Rivers

It’s been a big week for American Rivers and our work to help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change. Last Thursday we released a new report, Natural Security: How Sustainable Water Strategies are Preparing Communities for a Changing Climate, which details solutions that have already been implemented across the country and are making towns and cities better able to handle the rise in floods, droughts and water pollution we are already witnessing. The report outlines our vision for how communities can address existing water management problems and remain safe and vibrant in an uncertain future.

Yesterday we took this message to Capitol Hill in a briefing at the Capitol Visitors Center. Following an introduction by our Senior Vice President for Conservation, Andrew Fahlund, three speakers spoke in depth about the sustainable solutions detailed in our report.

• Mike Thomas, General Manager of the Clayton County Water Authority, talked about how their unique water recycling wetland system and conservation efforts have helped maintain a secure water supply during record droughts.
• Glen Abrams, Watersheds Planning Manager for the Philadelphia Water Department, described how his city is embracing green infrastructure techniques such as green roofs and tree planting to control sewer overflows. He highlighted the numerous benefits of such an approach ranging from increased recreation to improved air quality compared to traditional big pipe solutions.
• Sam Riley Medlock, Policy Counsel for the Association of State Floodplain Managers, outlined a new vision for reducing flood risk by moving communities out of harm’s way and reducing our reliance on structural measures such as dams and levees.

There was strong interest in the briefing and an excellent turnout. Among the attendees were an American Rivers board member, colleagues from other NGOs, and 25 staff members from the House of Representatives and Senate. Most people stayed for the entire hour of presentations and a lively round of questions and answers afterwards.

It was a great day for spreading the message that communities need to begin preparing and need to do it in the right way.

Be sure to check out our video that summarizes the new report:

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