Resources and Publications
The Benefits of Conservation Planning: A Toolkit for the Tax Professional
ISSUES: Blue Trails
As part of our effort to educate local communities on the vast benefits and opportunities associated with private land conservation, our Waccamaw River Blue Trail partners are hosting a series of workshops. The first of these workshops, “The Benefits of Conservation Planning: A Workshop for the Tax Professional” provided accountants, estate planners, and tax attorneys with information on conservation easements and planning. Presentations were made by the Pee Dee Land Trust, United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Turner Padgett, LLP a local law firm whose staff specializes in conservation planning. This toolkit was created as an outline of the discussion so that all may have access to the information offered.
Funding Green Infrastructure in Pennsylvania
ISSUES: Water Pollution
American Rivers has investigated the spending history and authority of several agencies to fund green solutions to stormwater management in Pennsylvania. The Green Project Reserve has provided a timely model from which agencies can transform the state’s failing water infrastructure by progressively integrating greener solutions, backed by greener investments, to manage polluted stormwater runoff.
Low Impact Development Manual for the Lower Maumee and Ottawa River Watersheds
ISSUES: Water Pollution
This manual provides stormwater managers and site designers with a common understanding of Low Impact Development (LID) goals and objectives, site assessment considerations, and a toolbox of stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) applicable to the Lower Maumee and Ottawa River watersheds. BMP information includes design guidelines, specifications, details, and maintenance concerns as well as assistance in selecting the BMPs based on the unique characteristics of a particular site. This is a technical manual and the information provided is targeted toward engineers, planners, landscape architects, and technical staff, as well as policymakers and developers.
A Citizen's Guide to the Corps of Engineers
ISSUES: Floods & Floodplains
“A Citizen’s Guide to the Corps of Engineers,” produced by American Rivers in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, is 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.
Natural Security: How Sustainable Water Strategies are Preparing Communities for a Changing Climate
ISSUES: Climate Change, Water Supply
The impacts of global warming will hit rivers and river communities first and worst, in the form of increased droughts, floods, and waterborne diseases. Along with decreasing global warming pollution, protecting and restoring rivers must be part of the solution. Healthy rivers boost community safety and security, building resilience against these impacts and helping communities thrive in the face of a changing climate. American Rivers is shining a national spotlight on how global warming is threatening river health, clean water, and water supplies, and we are promoting 21st century green infrastructure solutions that protect communities and enhance health, safety and quality of life.
Clean Water for Maryland: Local Ordinances for Environmental Site Design
ISSUES: Stormwater & Sewage, Water Pollution
This document describes the benefits of sustainable stormwater practices and details the key elements of a strong stormwater ordinance that will meet the clean water challenges Maryland faces using innovative and cost-effective techniques.
The Ecological and Recreational Benefit of the Molalla River, Oregon
ISSUES: Wild and Scenic Rivers
A white paper developed by American Rivers and the Native Fish Society which summarizes the ecological and recreational values and attributes of the Molalla River in Oregon. This report highlights the need to protect the river's wild and native fish, its numerous recreational opportuntiies, and the clean drinking water it provides to the local area by obtaining Wild and Scenic designation for the river and its forested riverside lands.
Beyond Banning Dams: Wild and Scenic Designations
ISSUES: Wild and Scenic Rivers
Benefits of Wild and Scenic River Designation for Northwest and National River Systems
Biological Contributions of Tributary Streams to the Wild Rogue River
ISSUES: Wild and Scenic Rivers
This white paper developed by American Rivers describes the ecological benefits of the cold fish-bearing tributaries of the Wild Rogue River. It highlights the importance of protecting thermal/cold water refugia for Rogue River salmon and steelhead, particularly in the face of threats from logging and climate change.
Local Water Policy Innovation: A Road Map for Community Based Stormwater Solutions
ISSUES: Water Pollution, Stormwater & Sewage
This report was developed to help citizens improve the stormwater practices in their community. Stormwater is a leading cause of water pollution nationwide and the effects are primarily felt locally. This guide explains how local government processes affect stormwater management and how these processes can be used to improve stormwater policies in your community.
Using Green Infrastructure in Karst Regions
ISSUES: Water Pollution, Stormwater & Sewage
This report shows how green infrastructure can be applied in regions around the country with karst topography, including the Shenandoah Valley, parts of Texas, Florida, and the Great Lakes. Stormwater management is even more complicated in karst regions, which are made up of soluble bedrock that can easily erode when it comes in contact with water. Green infrastructure offers an alternative approach to traditional development, and with proper use and careful siting, these techniques can successfully be applied in karst areas.
Hidden Reservoir: Why Water Efficiency is the Best Solution for the Southeast
ISSUES: Water Supply, Climate Change
This report makes the case that water efficiency is the best source of affordable water and must be the backbone of water supply planning. Hidden Reservoir outlines nine cost-effective policies proven to secure substantial water supply for communities and their rivers. It also includes examples of successful programs and policies that highlight how water efficiency can work in the Southeast now.
Dam Removal and Historic Preservation: Reconciling Dual Objective
ISSUES: Dams & Dam Removal
The goal of this report is to help dam removal proponents and advocates for historic preservation work together more effectively to achieve their mutual goals, all while building constructive relationships and successfully reconciling potentially competing objectives.
Catching the Rain: a Southeast Resource Guide to Natural Stormwater Management
ISSUES: Water Pollution, Stormwater & Sewage
This handbook is a concise resource guide to more natural, or "soft path" solutions for stormwater problems. It offers an easy reference to a variety of low impact development approaches suitable for the Southeast region.
America's Most Endangered Rivers™ Report: 2008 Edition
ISSUES: Most Endangered Rivers
The America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ report is one of the best-known and longest-lived annual reports in the environmental movement. The report is a call to action and emphasizes solutions for the rivers and their communities. By shining the spotlight on key decisions that will impact the rivers’ futures, and by providing clear actions for the public, the report has spurred scores of successes on rivers nationwide.
