What the 2010 Elections Mean for Rivers

November 8, 2010 | Clean Water, Most Endangered Rivers, Restoring Rivers, Protecting Rivers, Small Streams & Wetlands, Water Supply

Jim Bradley
Senior Director of Government Relations

Molalla River in Oregon

Election Day 2010 has come and gone. How did rivers fare?

First, some very good news: voters across the country spoke up loud and clear for clean water and conservation in a number of critical ballot measures. For example:

• In Iowa, voters approved by a whopping 63% an amendment to the state constitution to create a permanent trust fund aimed at protecting and restoring the state's natural resources. This is a win for the Cedar River (America’s Most Endangered Rivers 2010) and the Iowa River, which we listed among America’s Most Endangered Rivers in 2007.
• In Oregon, voters passed Measure 76 by 68% a measure which indefinitely directs 15% of Oregon Lottery revenue to protection of clean water, parks and wildlife habitat.
• In Maine, voters approved a statewide bond aimed at land conservation and the preservation of working waterfronts and state parks.
• On the Klamath River, voters in Klamath County, OR defeated Measure 1880 which would have prevented county officials from making any effort whatsoever to support implementation of the agreements (which American Rivers helped negotiate) to restore the Klamath River and revitalize fishing, farming, and tribal communities.

Inside the beltway, it is clear that major change has come to Washington.  Republicans have captured the U.S. House of Representatives and when the new Congress is seated they will hold more seats than they have since 1929.  Republicans also made substantial gains in the U.S. Senate.

A number of Democratic Representatives and Senators who were defeated this week, or who chose not to seek reelection, were environmental champions and good friends of America’s rivers.  In particular, we will miss Senator Feingold, Congressman Obey, and Congressman Oberstar who throughout their long years of service in Congress were champions for clean water and healthy rivers.

But we are excited to see that several of the new Republican Representatives and Senators elected this week have been long time friends of the environment and clean water.  Representative-elect Charlie Bass of New Hampshire was a huge champion of the environment during his previous stint in Congress.  Senator-elect Mark Kirk of Illinois has been a supporter of preserving and protecting the Great Lakes.

Clean water is not a partisan issue, and rivers don’t vote (well, except maybe in Chicago or Boston).  While the political climate may be challenging, we will continue to work together with political leaders and partners of all stripes to see that our children have clean water and healthy free-flowing rivers.

That’s something we can all agree on.

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