American Rivers releases Citizen’s Guide to Army Corps of Engineers
Washington, DC – American Rivers, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, today released “A Citizen’s Guide to the Corps of Engineers,” 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. American Rivers and NWF are national leaders in the effort to reform the Army Corps.
“The Army Corps is the principal federal agency engaged in developing and managing the nation’s water resources,” said Shana Udvardy, director of flood management policy for American Rivers. “Public participation in the Corps’ planning process is required by law, and informed and persistent public participation is a powerful agent for change. This citizen’s guide will provide the public with invaluable tips to voice their concerns and create the change we need to bring the management of our rivers and waterways into the 21st century.”
“This new citizen’s guide is a powerful tool which will raise the voice of citizens who believe a protected and restored environment is necessary for the health and sustainability of our natural and human communities,” says George Sorvalis, manager of water campaigns for the National Wildlife Federation. “Healthy and thriving ecosystems are essential for making these communities more resilient to the impacts of global climate change.”
The guide provides a detailed overview of the Corps and of the laws, policies, and strategies that can be used to stop or improve destructive projects and permits, and to promote restoration and protection of the nation’s vital water resources.
The publication of this guide is timely given that the Obama Administration is currently accepting comments on recently proposed revisions to the water resources planning guidelines that dictate how the Corps and other water agencies plan water projects. Although the revisions are a great first step, American Rivers and NWF are working to ensure a comprehensive, 21st century approach to protect and restore America’s rivers, coasts, and wetlands.
The current guidelines have led to water projects that harm the environment, endanger public safety and waste taxpayer dollars.
“It is imperative that we revise the Corps’ planning process to safeguard the many benefits that rivers, wetlands, and coasts provide the nation including clean water supplies, natural flood protection, wildlife habitat, and recreation,” said Udvardy.
Download the Citizen’s Guide at http://www.americanrivers.org/library/reports-publications/citizens-guide-to-corps.html
To submit comments on the Principals and Guidelines visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/PandG/submit
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American Rivers is the leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Since 1973, American Rivers has fought to preserve these connections, helping protect and restore more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual release of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide. Visit www.americanrivers.org, www.facebook.com/americanrivers and www.twitter.com/americanrivers.
