American Rivers’ Policy Positions
Federal and State Policy Updates
American Rivers works with Congress, the Administration, and numerous state and federal agencies to advance and implement effective and innovative policies and programs to benefit rivers and the people who depend on them. We are driven by a strong belief in bipartisanship. Our policy work supports our on-the-ground efforts to protect and restore rivers, ensure clean water, and address flooding.
American Rivers works with Congress, the Administration, and numerous state and federal agencies to advance and implement effective and innovative policies and programs to benefit rivers and the people who depend on them. We are driven by a strong belief in bipartisanship. Our policy work supports our on-the-ground efforts to protect and restore rivers, ensure clean water, and address flooding.
Our Policies
Floodplains
Functioning floodplains are a critical tool to reduce the impacts of hazardous weather on people and property. We advance policies to accelerate the restoration and reconnection of floodplains. American Rivers also works to implement federal and state standards that deter inappropriate development in the floodplain and support initiatives to have the federal government map functional floodplain ecosystems and track national quantitative trends in floodplain development.
Clean Water
Communities depend on rivers for drinking water, recreation, and more. All these uses require rivers to be clean and unpolluted. American Rivers advocates for making rivers clean enough to swim and enjoy by implementing policies that address stormwater pollution and defending landmark legislation like the Clean Water Act. We advocate for stormwater financing approaches to develop funding streams for building stormwater infrastructure that address pollution.
River Protection
American Rivers works to retain existing protections for 850,000 miles of river and the future protection of an additional 150,000 miles nationally using legislative and administrative tools. We champion sound wildfire policy for rivers, wildlife, and communities and support model water conservation projects to increase drought resilience and enhance river health and water security.
Hydropower
American Rivers works to engage in hydropower relicensing projects that will restore 2,500 miles of rivers across all hydropower producing regions. American Rivers works closely with Tribal Nations and organizations to support their engagement and advocacy to protect and restore rivers impacted by hydropower.
Dam Removal
American Rivers policy agenda includes making America more safe and secure by addressing failing dams on our rivers. For those dams that are no longer serving a critical purpose, the most effective way to protect communities from failing river infrastructure is to remove dams that have become obsolete, uneconomical, or unsafe. We advocate to strengthen state and federal dam removal programs and policies to accelerate the pace and scale of dam removal work.
American Rivers Blueprint for the 119th Congress
The United States is a nation of rivers, and clean water is one of America’s greatest sources of national wealth.
Policy Statements and Updates
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News & Updates
Policy in the News
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April 15, 2026
Public Lands and Waters Deserve Durable Protections, Not Congressional Review Act Chaos
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April 13, 2026
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026 is a Call to Action for Healthy Rivers and a Cleaner Water Supply
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April 10, 2026
Let’s Give Wild and Scenic River Bills Their Time to Shine in Congress This Year