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< May/June 2005
	ECO
Six Groups That Make a Difference Nonprofits that fight for rivers Joseph Carberry

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, "There is an inward voice, that in the stream sends forth its spirit to the listening ear." Thankfully for river runners, people are listening. These six conservation groups are protecting waterways at home and abroad so that future generations can enjoy the voice of the river.

American Canoe Association

With more than 50,000 members, the American Canoe Association (ACA) is the largest, and oldest, non-profit membership organization for paddlesports in the United States. Historically, the ACA’s conservation program focused on enforcing the Clean Water Act. The ACA was the lead plaintiff in cases brought against paper mills and animal farms in North Carolina, Florida and Missouri that consistently ignored clean water regulations. The ACA also supported cases against municipal sewer authorities in Washington, D.C. and Jacksonville, Fla., where archaic treatment facilities allowed raw sewage to flow into local watersheds. The focus of the ACA’s conservation program is changing, says Paul Sanford, Director of Stewardship and Public Policy. "Instead of litigation, we now concentrate on being a resource for local clubs and organizations that do grassroots stewardship work." For example, if a local group is working for access to a waterway, or to breach an unused dam, the ACA will provide guidance, advice and support for their efforts. "Access and stewardship will be our main focus in the future," Sanford says. Founded in 1880, the ACA continues to promote kayaking, rafting and canoeing through event sponsorship, safety education, instructor certification, waterway conservation and public information campaigns. The ACA’s headquarters are in Springfield, VA. Info: (703) 451-0141, www.acanet.org.

American Rivers

American Rivers orchestrates a nationwide river protection movement. With its "Citizens’ Agenda for Rivers," the group is asking more than 2,500 river protection groups to endorse a document demanding lawmakers "show their commitment to the growing numbers of constituents who care deeply about river health."

"We want a thousand endorsements or 1 million people," says American Rivers President Peter Kelley. The group identifies three main issues threatening rivers: eroding water quality, insufficient water for river health, and urban sprawl. The citizen’s agenda outlines solutions including new EPA regulations to improve water quality, metering water users to measure costs and encourage conservation, and amending dam operations and release schedules, reducing impact on river ecosystems.

American Rivers also sponsors Corps Reform, a nationwide effort to reform the Army Corps of Engineers, requiring greater accountability on future projects. Formed in 1973, American Rivers has eight field offices and a home base in Washington, D.C. About 50,000 activists volunteer with the organization. Download the "Citizens’ Agenda for Rivers" at www.healthyrivers.org. Info: (202) 347-7550; www.americanrivers.org.

American Whitewater

For 50 years, American Whitewater (AW) has worked to ensure that paddling enthusiasts have access to wild rivers. "We are the only non-profit solely dedicated to river stewardship, conservation and access," says Mark Singleton, AW’s Executive Director. AW also fights for the little guy with regards to river management. On the current Grand Canyon permit system, the waiting list is around 26 years. They have worked closely with the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association (GCPBA) to lobby the National Park Service for more permits. In 2002 AW and the GCPBA filed a lawsuit demanding the Park Service restart the stalled permit reform.

AW also uses the federal dam regulatory process to promote conservation and river access. In the United States, dam licenses are renewed every 25 to 50 years. When re-licensing occurs, AW works with hydrologists to restore natural flows hampered by years of uneducated management. The Ocoee, Gauley, New and Tallulah dams have all been re-licensed under AW guidelines. Based in Asheville, N.C., AW has 8,000 members and affiliate clubs throughout the country. Info: (866) BOAT4AW, www.americanwhitewater.org.

International Rivers Network

Dams aren’t just a problem here in the United States and other western countries. They are just as controversial in the developing world where communities rarely muster the resources to stop the construction of new ones. Enter International Rivers Network (IRN), the James Bond of river protection. "Sixty to 80 million people a year are displaced because of dams, and governments and corporations rarely demolish wealthy neighborhoods to build them," says IRN’s Mary Houghteling.

In the last five years, IRN has worked with environmental and human rights groups to fight projects in Africa, South America and Asia, including the Three Gorges Dam in China. Fighting construction requires a multi-pronged strategy, and IRN’s contribution to anti-dam movements comes in many forms. In the Amazon, new dams are constructed to fuel aluminum smelters so IRN has pushed recycling here in the United States and abroad. "If rafters in the U.S. throw away their beer cans, they are increasing dams in other parts of the world," Houghteling says.

March 14th is IRN’s International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water and Life. The action groups IRN assists around the world recognize this day and use it to celebrate free-flowing rivers. IRN was established in 1985 and is currently overseeing 75 river actions in 26 countries. Info: (510) 848-1155, www.irn.org.

River Network

Since 1988 the River Network has helped grassroots organizations involved in river protection become full-fledged conservation groups. "People have a fond memory of their local waterway and they see it become degraded and misused. They wonder how to stop it. We get local groups on their feet," says the River Network’s Susan Schwartz. "Our job is not to take a position but to provide support to groups that are involved in river action."

Groups that have used the River Network include Idaho Rivers United, Tom’s of Maine—which kicked off its River Awareness Month last year—and the Inter-Tribal Watershed Council of the Yukon River. The River Network has helped the Council shape its strategic plan to protect the Yukon, strengthen its organization and identify funding sources. The River Network’s headquarters are in Portland, Ore.; with offices in Montpelier, Vt.; Boise, Idaho, and Washington, D.C. Info: (800) 423-6747, www.rivernetwork.org.

Western Rivers Conservancy

In 2001, Phillip Wallin split from the River Network to form Western Rivers Conservancy, an organization purchasing land trusts to preserve river corridors and ecosystems. "It’s a very satisfying aspect of conservation," says Wallin. "You get to walk or float through your work."

Western Rivers assisted the Hoh River Trust, an organization buying and protecting land around the Hoh River on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. "We’ve found, in many cases, the best way to protect an area is to buy it," Wallin says. Purchasing land from logging companies, private parties and others, Western Rivers turns the trusts over to federal or state agencies to run, or donates them to colleges or universities for research areas. The conservancy recently purchased land around Big Chico Creek in Northern California, a tributary to Smith Creek, one of the last un-dammed drainages in the state. The five miles of river canyon was donated to Chico State University. With a national office in Portland, Ore., Western Rivers has helped protect more than 40,000 acres of river lands. Info: (503) 241-0151, www.westernrivers.org.