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American Rivers Policy Update December 30, 1999
With Congress in recess until early January, this update features information on new reports and developments of interest to the river community.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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REMOVING DAMS HAS MANY BENEFITS, NEW REPORT SAYS
Removing dams is often the most effective way to restore rivers, save dam owners and taxpayers money, revitalize riverside communities, and improve public safety, according to a new report released December 13.
The report, Dam Removal Success Stories: Restoring Rivers through Selective Removal of Dams that Don't Make Sense, released by American Rivers, Friends of the Earth, and Trout Unlimited, documents more than 465 dams that have been removed across the country and includes 25 detailed case studies of dam removal success stories. It is the most comprehensive review to date of the history and benefits of dam removal in the United States.
To read the report, press releases, and other information on dam removal, visit
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NMFS, CORPS SCIENCE STUDIES SUPPORT DAM REMOVAL, ADMINISTRATION MISREPRESENTS SCIENCE
Federal studies strongly support removal of four dams on Washington's Lower Snake River to save endangered runs of salmon and steelhead. Studies by the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army Corps Engineers conclude that dam removal must be part of any salmon recovery plan - contradicting statements by Gen. Carl Strock and NMFS Regional Administrator Will Stelle.
Dam removal alone would save endangered fall chinook and steelhead, and must also be part of any strategy designed to save endangered runs of spring/summer chinook, according to a study by the National Marine Fisheries Service. A separate report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concludes that dam removal would provide significantly greater benefits for salmon than retrofitting dams and accelerating fish transportation efforts.
To read summaries of the reports, access the full reports, or for more information on the Snake Rivers and endangered salmon, visit
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RIVERS REBORN REMOVING DAMS AND RESTORING RIVERS IN CALIFORNIA
Friends of the Rivers - California's statewide river conservation organization - recently released a report that identifies for the first time in one place the more than two dozen dams around the state that have been considered for removal or decommissioning. Spotlights in the publication include everything from a tiny irrigation structure to a towering, 280-foot-high dam.
The 20-page report, titled Rivers Reborn: Removing Dams and Restoring Rivers in California, was compiled from a number of different sources, including governmental studies and recommendations.
The report is available at www.friendsoftheriver.org
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DECOMMISSIONING OF HYDROPOWER FACILITY TO RESTORE NATURAL TREASAURE
In November, American Rivers announced an agreement in principle with Arizona Public Service to remove an operating hydropower facility on Fossil Creek to restore this major tributary of the Verde River in Central Arizona.
APS will take full financial responsibility for removing the Childs-Irving hydropower facility, which has left the 14-mile creek almost entirely dry for over 80 years. APS has agreed to restore the flows of Fossil Creek no later than December 31, 2004. All signatories will sign a final settlement no later than July 1, 1999.
For more information on Fossil Creek or to see the full agreement, visit
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IT S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN ON FOR RIVER FUNDING FOR FY 01
American Rivers is again accepting sign-ons for the River Budget: National Priorities for Local River Conservation in FY 2001. As of November 1, more than 400 river conservation organizations, community groups, recreation organizations, and others had added their names to the list of groups supporting the budget (see
http://www.amrivers.org/rbudget2001list.html
for the full list of sign on groups as of November 1).To see the final River Budget for FY 01 visit
To sign on in support, contact Suzy McDowell at smcdowell@amrivers.org
Note the River Budget for FY 01 went to the printers in late October. All groups that sign on to the River Budget after November 15 will be listed on an addendum sheet to be inserted in the printed documents and added to the online list of sign on groups.
VISIT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS OVER WINTER RECESS AND URGE THEM TO FULLY SUPPORT RIVER BUDGET INITIATIVES
Members of Congress are home until early January and NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU.
This is a great opportunity to focus their attention on river funding in the next fiscal year.
Legislators will begin developing appropriations bills for FY'01 early in 2000.
For more on visiting your Members during recess in support of increased funding for river conservation and restoration, see
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CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE
The second session of the 106th Congress is scheduled to resume on January 24, 2000. The President will deliver his State of the Union speech on January 27, 2000. The dates for Congress winter and spring recesses are February 21-25 (President's Day) and April 17-28 (spring recess). Members usually return to their district offices during recess, providing you with a good opportunity to meet face to face with your elected officials and urge them to support conservation initiatives important to your community. For more information on setting up a meeting with your Members of Congress during recess, visit
http://www.amrivers.org/rbudgetvisit.html
or contact Suzy McDowell at smcdowell@amrivers.org
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