2012 Press Releases
Press Releases
Colorado River Basin study is step toward 21st century water management
December 12, 2012 | Water Supply
A federal study released today looking at water supply options for the Colorado River Basin is a critical step toward bringing water management into the 21st century. American Rivers applauded the Obama Administration for its effort on the report, which recognizes that climate change is making the status quo management regime of the river untenable. American Rivers underscored the need for optimizing existing water infrastructure, and increasing conservation and efficiency measures.
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Experts available to comment on upcoming Colorado River Basin study
December 6, 2012 | Water Supply
Experts from American Rivers are available to comment on the upcoming release of a critical study by the Bureau of Reclamation examining water supply options in the Colorado River Basin.
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Conservationists cheer withdrawal of dam proposal for Colorado’s Arkansas River
November 28, 2012
Colorado’s Arkansas River will remain one of the nation’s most popular rivers for fishing and paddling, now that a 20-year-old dam proposal is officially dead.
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Obama Administration Offers Opportunities To Advance Clean Water And River Protection
November 7, 2012
“We congratulate President Obama on his election to a second term. President Obama and his Administration took important steps for rivers over the past four years. Now he has a chance to leave a lasting legacy of healthy rivers and revitalized river communities nationwide. President Obama has a historic opportunity to show that protecting and restoring rivers isn’t just about the environment, it’s also about ensuring good jobs, a strong economy, and public health,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.
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Statement from American Rivers President Bob Irvin on the impacts of Hurricane Sandy
October 30, 2012 | Floods & Floodplains, Stormwater & Sewage
“This was a storm of unprecedented proportion. The images and stories from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are devastating. Our hearts go out to the families and communities who have lost loved ones and have seen their homes damaged or destroyed by the storm surge and floodwaters.”
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Press Statement on the Hoback Gas Lease Buyout
October 5, 2012 | Fracking, Press News, Most Endangered Rivers
For each of the past 27 years, American Rivers has issued our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report to shine a national spotlight on ten rivers facing urgent threats. The Hoback has made the list for two years in a row. That speaks not only to the value of the Hoback River for its clean water, abundant fish and wildlife, and boundless recreational opportunities, but also to the threat posed by industrial-scale fracking.
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Elwha and White Salmon River Restoration Projects Show Great Success
September 13, 2012 | Water Pollution, Dams & Dam Removal
One year since two of the nation’s most significant river restoration projects began, American Rivers is applauding the progress and significant economic, environmental, and social benefits that have already started to accrue. The nation’s leading river conservation organization also warned against an extreme piece of legislation that would hurt river restoration efforts in communities nationwide.
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Costly and Extreme Bill Would Slow Job Growth, Hurt Business, Harm Communities, and Weaken Environmental Protection
August 15, 2012 | Dams & Dam Removal
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) has introduced a bill that outlines a radical and potentially destructive vision for American hydropower—a vision that is at odds with mainstream thinking about hydropower policy. The bill, HR 6247, is designed to muzzle critics of unsafe and environmentally destructive dams, while protecting lavish subsidies to irrigators and agribusinesses that derive their profits from those dams.
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Hopewell Mills Dam Removal Begins in Taunton
August 10, 2012 | Water Pollution, Dams & Dam Removal
Excavators today began chipping away at concrete that has held back the Mill River for decades. Within days, the impoundment behind the Hopewell Mills Dam will drop, and the river will begin to transform, opening up fish and wildlife habitat that hasn’t been available for nearly 200 years.
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Water Experts Available to Comment on Drought Science, Politics, and Solutions
August 3, 2012 | Water Pollution, Climate Change, Water Supply
As the nation’s leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams, American Rivers and its science and policy staff are uniquely positioned to talk about regional and national implications of the current drought on fresh water supplies.
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Key Points on the Pending Announcement of a New Delta Proposal
July 25, 2012
On July 25, Governor Jerry Brown, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco are expected to announce a major reframing of the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) – a process to secure a 50-year permit for the federal and state water project pumping plants in the Delta.
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American Rivers and NOAA award $696,692 to restore rivers and fisheries in California, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Oregon
July 25, 2012 | Water Pollution, Dams & Dam Removal
–Rivers and communities will benefit from nearly $700,000 in grants awarded through the national partnership between American Rivers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Restoration Center. This funding will support six projects throughout California, Delaware, Massachusetts and Oregon aimed at restoring fisheries, improving public safety, and reducing flood risks.
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Report: New water supply reservoirs risky ventures in the Southeast
July 10, 2012 | Water Pollution, Stormwater & Sewage
The report, Money Pit: The High Cost and High Risk of Water Supply Reservoirs in the Southeast, documents the financial risks and water resource risks tied to the development of new reservoirs in the region.
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American Rivers launches The Anglers Fund, to connect anglers with river conservation
July 2, 2012 | Water Pollution
A new initiative launched by American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, is engaging anglers across the country in the effort to protect and restore rivers.
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Senate Passes Flood Insurance Reform
June 29, 2012 | Floods & Floodplains, Water Pollution
In a win for public safety, taxpayers, and the environment, the Senate and House today passed critical reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program. American Rivers has worked for years to reform the program, which has run up a near $20 billion debt to the Federal Treasury, and encouraged destruction of floodplains and wildlife habitat with taxpayer subsidies.
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“Get More Green” calculator shows water, money savings of green roofs
June 13, 2012 | Water Pollution
A new online calculator from American Rivers lets individuals discover the benefits of installing green roofs on their homes and businesses. Green roofs are gaining popularity as cities look for cost-effective ways to protect and restore clean water.
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Manheim And American Rivers Clean Up The Conestoga River
June 9, 2012 | National River Cleanup
Manheim and American Rivers clean up the Conestoga River as part of National River Cleanup
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American Rivers and National Park Service Launch "River Stories"
May 31, 2012 | Blue Trails, Water Pollution, Wild and Scenic Rivers
American Rivers and the National Park Service have teamed up to create “River Stories,” an innovative, web-based storytelling format that aims to engage people in understanding, enjoying, and conserving their waterways.
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New Poll Shows Protecting America’s Waterways is Good Policy and Good Politics
May 29, 2012 | Water Pollution
A new poll commissioned by the nation’s leading environmentalists and sportsmen organizations in key Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain states shows that the public overwhelmingly supports an Obama administration proposal to restore protections for America’s rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
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American Rivers Kicks Off National River Cleanup Season
May 23, 2012 | National River Cleanup
American Rivers, the nation’s leading voice for healthy rivers and clean water, today announced the kickoff of National River Cleanup. For over two decades this program has mobilized hundreds of thousands of volunteers to pick up trash from rivers nationwide.
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American Rivers names America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2012
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
With Congress considering drastic cuts to national clean water protections, and rivers nationwide facing threats from natural gas drilling, pollution, and new dams, American Rivers today released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®.
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Coal River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the Coal River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on the threat mountaintop removal mining poses to clean water and public health. The announcement of the Coal is particularly timely, with the nation commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act this year, and Congress considering drastic rollbacks to clean water safeguards.
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Missouri River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the Missouri River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on outdated flood management practices that are threatening public safety.
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Kansas River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the Kansas River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on the threat that sand and gravel dredging poses to clean water.
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Green River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the Green River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on a boondoggle water pipeline proposal that would harm rural economies, world-class recreation, and critical fish and wildlife habitat.
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Grand River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the Grand River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on the threat natural gas drilling poses to clean water, recreation, and wildlife.
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Crystal River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the Crystal River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on the threat dams and water diversions pose to spectacular recreation and fish and wildlife habitat.
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South Fork Skykomish River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the South Fork Skykomish River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on the threat a new dam poses to recreation, scenic vistas, wilderness, and wildlife.
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Chattahoochee River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers named the Chattahoochee River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, shining a national spotlight on two boondoggle dam and reservoir proposals that are far too expensive and would harm water supplies, clean water, recreation opportunities, and fish and wildlife habitat.
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Hoback River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
May 15, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers
American Rivers has named the Hoback River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® for the second year in a row, shining a national spotlight on the threat natural gas drilling poses to clean water, recreation, and world-class fish and wildlife.
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Report: Green infrastructure saves money
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution, Floods & Floodplains, Stormwater & Sewage
Communities looking for the most cost-effective options for managing polluted runoff and protecting clean water should choose green infrastructure solutions, according to a report released today by American Rivers, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and ECONorthwest.
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American Rivers and EPA award $209,244 grant to restore Peyton Creek and beautify City of Staunton
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution, Stormwater & Sewage
American Rivers and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that a creek restoration project in Staunton, VA will receive a $209,244 grant, as part of a comprehensive initiative to protect and restore rivers in the Potomac Highlands region. The grant will help the City of Staunton implement its project to restore Peyton Creek.
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American Rivers and EPA award $250,000 grant to protect Adams County forests and clean water
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution, Floods & Floodplains
American Rivers and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that a forest and clean water protection effort in Adams County, PA will receive a $250,000 grant, as part of a comprehensive initiative to protect and restore rivers in the Potomac Highlands region.
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EPA and American Rivers Award $1.37 Million in Grants to Restore Potomac Highlands Rivers, Clean Water
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency and American Rivers today announced the six recipients of $1,373,119 in environmental grants to benefit communities, and protect rivers and clean water in the Potomac Highlands region of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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American Rivers and EPA award $163,875 grant to revitalize Waynesboro riverfront
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution
American Rivers and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that a riverfront revitalization effort in Waynesboro, VA will receive a $163,875 grant, as part of a comprehensive initiative to protect and restore rivers in the Potomac Highlands region. The grant will help the City of Waynesboro implement its “Restoring Waynesboro’s Riverfront Parks” project.
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American Rivers and EPA award $300,000 grant to reduce flooding, restore forests, and promote local food production in Frostburg
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution, Floods & Floodplains
American Rivers and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that a multi-faced sustainability project in Frostburg, MD will receive a $300,000 grant, as part of a comprehensive initiative to protect and restore rivers in the Potomac Highlands region. The grant will help the Western Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Council implement the “Frostburg Grows: Grow it Local Greenhouse Project”.
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American Rivers and EPA award $150,000 grant to protect land and clean water in the Shenandoah Valley
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution
American Rivers and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that a land and clean water protection effort in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley will receive a $150,000 grant, as part of a comprehensive initiative to protect and restore rivers in the Potomac Highlands region.
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American Rivers and EPA award $300,000 grant to protect and restore forests in West Virginia
April 12, 2012 | Water Pollution
American Rivers and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that a forest protection and restoration effort in Randolph County, WV will receive a $300,000 grant, as part of a comprehensive initiative to protect and restore rivers in the Potomac Highlands region.
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American Rivers launches River Ambassador Program for river businesses and outfitters
April 11, 2012 | Water Pollution
A new program launched by American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, is helping local businesses and outfitters connect with customers and join the effort to protect rivers and clean water.
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American Rivers hosting March 24 paddle on Congaree River Blue Trail
March 21, 2012 | Blue Trails
American Rivers will host a paddle event on Saturday, March 24 to celebrate the Congaree River Blue Trail and Three Rivers Greenway. This event is made possible by support from the Richland County Conservation Commission and is also a culmination of the city’s “One Book, One Columbia” project which used the book Saints at the River to explore river connections.
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