American Heritage Rivers Updates

Volume 4 Number 7
November 2001

Council on Environmental Quality - Letter to AHR Navigators

Text of the James Connaughton letter from the Council on Environmental Quality

Similar letters were sent to all River Navigators for the AHRI. Here is the October 22, 2001 letter to Peter Stroh, Chairman of the Detroit AHR:

The American Heritage Rivers Initiative (AHRI) was created by Executive Order 13061 to provide assistance to participating communities with locally-chosen projects related to economic development and environmental and cultural resources. The previous Administration made a commitment that the AHRI would exist for five years, until July 30, 2003, after which time it would be up to federal agencies to decide whether to continue providing appropriate services as part of their ongoing activities. For administrative purposes, oversight of the AHRI was placed in the Council on Environmental Quality. We have reviewed the initiative and, given the level of success it has enjoyed, the level of support from participating communities and interest by others in participating, we have determined that it is appropriate to honor the five-year commitment.

We will continue to review the AHRI to determine its future beyond 2003, including any improvements that may be made during this intervening period. We will be discussing the Initiative and continued support for it with participating federal agencies in the near future.

I commend you for your dedication to, and success with, the Initiative thus far and urge you to continue serving your communities as well as you have. Please direct any questions you may have regarding our support for the AHRI to Bill Leary at 202-456- 6550.

Signed

James L. Connaughton

State of the Rivers Reports

The American Heritage River partnerships, recognized as models of how an active public, local businesses and government agencies can make dramatic improvements, have engendered community pride in their past and a positive outlook for their future. American Heritage River communities have demonstrated through their own, locally initiated projects that what is good for the environment is also good for the economy. With coordinated and focused federal assistance, provision of guidance, technical expertise and other resources, the initiative has brought new energy to longstanding local efforts to reclaim the health, heritage, and economic vitality of rivers.

Through the American Heritage Rivers Initiative, river communities have had the opportunity to receive high level focused federal attention and assistance. By forging agreements with communities, federal agencies were encouraged to cut red tape wherever possible and to address community priorities, such as "Keystone" projects. This team approach saves both the government and Community Partners valuable time and money.

Now, each American Heritage River has released its State of the River Report outlining a profile of the river, priority projects, and current status. The State of the River Report includes a list of Community Partners striving and continually reaching out to meet their River communities' individual requirements.

Click here to access the State of the River Reports

Blackstone-Woonasquatucket Rivers

 Governor Lincoln Almond unveils Woonasquatucket River Watershed Asset Map to the public

At a ceremony held at the Rhode Island State House, Governor Lincoln Almond joined with EPA Regional Administrator Bob Varney and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Protection Agency Director Jan Reitsma to announce the release of the Woonasquatucket River Asset Map. The map was touted as a regional and national model by Bob Varney and includes information on the cultural, historic, economic and natural assets of the six watershed communities. In July, The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council was also one of three Rhode Island watershed councils officially recognized by the Rhode Island Rivers.

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed has been successful in receiving several small grants including a $50,000 USDA Rural Agriculture grant for Smithfield to work with their small manufacturers and the Town of Johnston will receive $5,000 for a small wetlands restoration project from the New England Federal partners group. Additionally, the Rhode Island Foundation just awarded the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council a $50,000 grant to fund Watershed Council Director Jenny Pereira's position.

Blackstone Receives Several River Restoration Grants

The State of Massachusetts announced recently that the Blackstone River Valley had been awarded three Clean Water Act 319 grants for various restoration projects, including a $200,000 grant for Lake Quinsigamond and Lake Ripple in the Worcester/Shrewsbury and Grafton areas, a project for over $300,000 for stormwater remediation and minor dredging for Salisbury Pond and a additional project for storm water mitigation in Bellingham, MA. Additionally, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, rewarded the Blackstone River Watershed with a grant for $24,300 for a stream bank restoration project in Grafton, MA.

Blackstone Bikeway and Greenway Challenge Set for September 29

More than 50 teams of participants are expected to compete in the first of its kind Blackstone River Bikeway and Greenway Challenge. Teams will begin at the Headwaters of the Blackstone on the first of nine legs biking, then running and canoeing in alternating legs with the goal of bringing awareness to the communities about the importance of completing the bikepath in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and preserving key areas of greenway in both states.

Connecticut River

Clean Water Action Plan (CWAP) and the New England Federal Partners for Natural Resources (NEFPNR) have committed $5,000 to support partnership-building activities for the Sustainable Riverbanks Project.

In the current stage of this project, the Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) will implement restoration and stabilization plans for three top priority erosion sites on the main stem of the Connecticut River. CRJC, in their capacity as one of the principal community Partners of AHRI, will use the CWAP/NEFPNR funding to leverage additional resources and reinforce the partnerships involved in the Sustainable Riverbanks Project. Successful implementation of this restoration project will be based on creative partnering by a number of federal and state agencies, as well as non-profit organizations and landowners.

The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has committed $50,000 to support five separate AHRI Connecticut River projects brought forth by the Community Partners of the Connecticut River.

1. Abating Combined Sewer Overflows: Involving the Public
2. Monitoring the Bioengineering Projects of the Turners Falls Hydro-Electric Dam and Pool
3. Publishing the Sustainable Riverbanks Primer
4. Implementing Urban Stormwater Best Management Practices
5. Water Chestnut Inspection and Eradication Program for the Connecticut River Watershed

Each of the projects are directly related to improving water quality in the Connecticut River Watershed, either through hands-on action or public education and involvement.

EPA has awarded the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) a $7,000 grant.

PVPC will spearhead a public outreach effort to educate the Greater Springfield, MA public on the value of addressing combined sewer overflow systems in the Connecticut River Watershed.

Cuyahoga River

 USACE to Study Kent and Munroe Falls Dam Pools

On July 30th Christine Brayman of the USACE Buffalo District Office met with local officials and visited the Kent and Munroe Falls Dam to evaluate the potential for aquatic ecosystem restoration under Section 206 of the WRDA of 1996. The USACE has agreed to do a project restoration plan for both dams which would study potential sediment removal from the both dam pools, or a portion thereof, and describe methods to revegetate the areas. The study is 100 percent federally funded.

USACE Navigation Channel Study

On July 20th Phil Berkeley of the USACE Buffalo District Office indicated that the USACE would, in response to a request first submitted by the Cuyahoga Remedial Action Plan in 1999, carry out a study of potential habitat enhancement options in the Cuyahoga Navigation Channel. Mr. Berkeley indicated that he would make some minor changes in the revised request and contact Kelvin Rogers, Ohio EPA RAP Liaison, for further details in commencing the study. This study, once completed, would help improve aquatic and fisheries habitat in the lower 5.6 miles of the Cuyahoga River. The River Navigator also requested continued assistance in studying and removing (or modifying) three dams, developing a wetland inventory for the watershed, and obtaining assistance in the development of watershed management plans.

 Cuyahoga Holds River Day

May 12th the Friends of the Crooked River held their 11th annual RiverDay, which included over 24 events throughout the Cuyahoga Watershed to help educate, clean up, and celebrate the Cuyahoga River.

The Cuyahoga American Heritage River and the Cuyahoga River Rap sponsored the event with a grant from the USDA Forest Service's Northeastern Area Office along with contributions from local businesses. River communities hosted a variety of river displays in community buildings, tents were erected along the river for a variety of programs, fish shocking demonstrations were carried out by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the US Coast Guard and volunteers swept the lower river for garbage and debris, hikes were held along the river, and canoes were launched. The River Navigator (USDA Forest Service) visited a number of the sites and gave several programs highlighting the condition of the watershed its importance to local communities. A busy productive day was had by all.

 Upcoming Events

October 25th – The Cuyahoga River Symposium sponsored by the Cuyahoga River remedial Action Plan will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Happy Days Visitor Center in the Cuyahoga National Park. The river symposium will concentrate on the current environmental conditions, research and restoration efforts on the Cuyahoga River. Participants will have the opportunity to help steer future research and restoration programs. The event is open to all interested parties. Cost is $25, which includes lunch. Call (216) 241 2414 ext. 275 for registration and information.

Detroit River

 Seven Detroit River Improvement Projects Set

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District and the Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative announce seven projects that will improve the Detroit River and enhance quality of life in Southeast Michigan.

In total, $528,00 has been appropriated via Corps statutes and authorities for seven Detroit River projects. These projects include:

• Conducting a Detroit River greenway master plan for the City of Detroit ($100,000);
• Performing a reconnaissance study of Belle Isle to determine how the Corps can be involved in implementing the Belle Isle Master Plan ($100,000);
• Investigating the structural integrity of Detroit River seawalls ($100,000);
• Evaluating Chicken Bone Reef for potential river navigation improvements ($100,000);
• Completing a feasibility study on enhancing habitat near Belle Isle fishing piers ($48,000);
• Initiating planning for Belle Isle south shoreline protection ($40,000); and
• Evaluating Bates Street Outfall as part of Detroit River shoreline protection ($40,000).

Each of these projects is being undertaken with the City of Detroit, various federal and state agencies, the Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative, and other organizations.

 Detroit River Designated a Canadian Heritage River

On July 19, 2001 The Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Windsor West, the Honourable Herb Gray and Susan Whelan, Member of Parliament for Essex, unveiled a plaque to mark the designation of the Detroit River as a Canadian Heritage River. The Detroit River is part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS) in that having received American Heritage River designation in 1988, it is the first river with dual national designations. The Canadian Heritage Rivers System was established in 1984 by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments as a means of conserving, celebrating, and showcasing Canada's rich river heritage.

For additional information on these, and other projects under the Detroit River American Heritage Rivers Initiative, visit http://www.tellusnews.com/ahr/index.shtml .

Hanelei River

We have begun a collaboration with a Hanalei cultural organization, Waipa, ( the name of another river emptying into Hanalei Bay), to perform riparian vegetation trials. Along the Hanalei River grows a tangled tree-like plant we call Hau Bush. It is a member of the Hibiscus family and behaves like Mangrove. It is thought that this vegetation causes the river action to erode the opposing river bank. The State of Hawaii and other organizations were hesitant to approve these trials for the Hanalei River itself, so this adjacent location was established. Hau Bush will be cut or pulled and replacement native vegetation will be propagated and planted in its place. The collaboration of this project with Waipa allows local student participation from Kamehameha Schools.

This project and several others island-wide will benefit from the use of the new Geographical Information System hardware donated to Hanalei by Hewlett Packard as part of the Conservation Technology Support Program. We are delighted to now have this system in place and the Hanalei River Hui, our governing body, has developed a user protocol making this system easy to access and an asset to our entire island.

Hanalei is receiving much attention for our Community Water Quality Monitoring Project. Headed by Dr. Carl Berg, our method uses a testing protocol developed by IDEXX Corporation.This method allows "regular folk" to collect and analyze water samples and the data is collated and reported by Dr. Berg. We now have almost two years worth of data and all results have been corroborated by the Hawaii State Department of Health, Clean Water Branch. The local Environmental Protection Agency has also been intimately involved in this project and we are grateful for their support. This project is a bright example of a community response to a community concern.Major funding for this project was provided by Tesoro Corporation, Surfrider Foundation and many local contributors.

The Hanalei Heritage River Program continues its acclaimed series of Informational and Educational Forums. Subjects range from the monitoring of our coral reefs to the advantages of participating in land trusts. Each forum is recorded and broadcast on Kauai's local public access television channel. This provides an island wide reach for our presentations and tapes are also available for lending at the Kauai Public Library.

Hudson River

Hudson River Estuary Management Plan

The Federal Coordinating Committee (FCC) for the Hudson River AHRI held its bi-monthly meeting on August 2nd in Staatsburg, NY. At this meeting the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation presented an overview of the Hudson River Estuary Management Plan (HREMP) and its links to other programs along the Hudson River. These other programs include the NY/NJ Hudson Estuary Program, the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Management Plan, the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve program, and the Hudson River Valley Greenway Council efforts. The HREMP is looking for federal collaboration on a number of river related initiatives that involve:

• River Access (fishing, swimming, boating, railroad crossings)
• Waterfront Redevelopment (sewer infrastructure, piers and docks, habitat friendly best management practices for bulkheads)
• USGS Water Quality Improvements
• Hudson River Natural Estuarine Research Reserve projects (benthic mapping, SAV mapping, habitat restoration)
• Biodiversity Conservation and Research (conservation strategies, significant areas, inventory needs)
• Habitat Restoration (Croton Point restoration project, opportunities for additional sites)
• Abandoned Barges (opportunities for federal coordination)
• Open Space (State Open Space Plan in the HRV)
• Piers and Docks Study on aquatic habitat (opportunity for coordination and defining of Best Management Practices)

The meeting also featured several other presentations, one by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on its wildlife habitat programs and one by the Wildlife Habitat Council on its efforts in working with private corporations on wildlife habitat development on private lands. The presentations were followed by discussions on opportunities for state, federal and local cooperation on identified projects of the AHRI.

GSA to Visit Hudson River Light Stations

A realty specialist from the federal General Services Administration (GSA) and a US National Park Service representative travelled to the Hudson Valley on August 22 and 23rd to view a Keystone Project of the Hudson River AHRI project list, the Turkey Point Light Attendant Station. This site is one of three top priorities of the Governor's AHRI Heritage Council. This 8-acre site has been excessed by the US Coast Guard and it is hoped that it will be included into a State owned park that surrounds the site. This property, if added to the existing state park, will provide needed river access for the park, handicap accessible fishing and a primitive camp area for the NYS Watertrail on the Hudson River. In addition to visiting Turkey Point, GSA and NPS staff will be touring tow other properties close by, the Kingston Lighthouse and Esopus Lighthouse. These two lighthouses have also been excessed by the US Coast Guard and will be made available to groups who are currently interested in their preservation and continued use as museums and historical sites. Meetings were scheduled to visit the all of the properties and to meet with staff from the Hudson River Maritime Museum, Save the Esopus Lighthouse Commission and NYS DEC for the Turkey Point site. Eric Scherer, River Navigator has been working with GSA and the U.S. Coast Guard to gain release the properties.

Hudson River Lighthouse Coalition Website

Due to the growing interest in the lighthouses along the Hudson a new organization is being formed. It is called the Hudson River Lighthouse Coalition. The Coalition is being formed with the assistance of the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council with hopes to explore opportunities to develop and enhance the remaining seven historic Hudson River Lighthouses. The Hudson River Lighthouse Coalition will unite multiple entities, who now oversee the Lighthouses individually to examine options for the architectural preservation of these light stations and explore ways to utilize them as part of a proposed Hudson River Lighthouse Trail, extending the entire length of the Hudson River Estuary from the New York Harbor to the Capitol District (Albany, NY). The formation of a Hudson River Lighthouse Coalition will ensure the protection of the unique and rapidly deteriorating landmarks of the American history. A new web site is being developed for the Coalition. To view it go to http://www.hvnet.com/lighthouses and preview the draft HRLC site!

Lower Mississippi River

 Memphis Riverfront Development Corporation

The Memphis Riverfront Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization, was established and contracted by the city to develop a master plan for the revitalization of the five-mile metropolitan Memphis riverfront. Supported by grants from the Plough Foundation and vested with funding from the city, the RDC is proceeding with public meetings and the master planning process. Additionally, the initial rehabilitation project, the historic Cobblestone area, is underway and should be completed by spring.

Delta Tourism Conference

The Department of Transportation sponsored the Delta Tourism Conference in October 2000 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Lower Mississippi American Heritage River Alliance was represented by Bob Innes, the River Navigator and by Ms. Angela Falgoust, Chair of the Louisiana Working Group of the Alliance.

Mississippi Institute and National Museum

The AHR Task Force and the Lower Mississippi River Navigator coordinated a meeting in Washington, DC, in September where the Mississippi Institute and National Museum Task Force from New Orleans had an opportunity to present the project overview to more than 80 representatives of a number of federal agencies. The New Orleans Task Force took the opportunity to make personal contacts with agency representatives to encourage partnering with the TF in the project.

For more information, go to the Lower Mississippi American Heritage River Alliance website at: http://communities.msn.com/LowerMississip piAmericanHeritageRiverAlliance/ .

New River

 $110,000 Awarded to Buy Parkland: New River Community Partners Help Local Park Committee to Acquire Land Needed for Whitt-Riverbend Park in Pearisburg, Virginia

New River Community Partners, serving on the Whitt-Riverbend Park Committee along with representatives of the Town of Pearisburg, Giles County, Friends of the Rivers of Virginia, the National Committee for the New River, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, and others, have worked well together to help secure the $125,000 needed to acquire a prime 27-acre parcel fronting along 3/4 of a mile of the New River in Giles County, near Pearisburg, VA. The property will become a regional park, greenway and conservation area to be owned and maintained by the Town of Pearisburg. It will also provide a key public access site to the New River in an area totally lacking public access. The $110,000 provided by the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation was by far the largest single contribution made toward the land acquisition for this proposed park. Over $15,000 of the total of $125.000 needed for acquisition was provided for by: National Committee for the New River, Float Fishermen of VA, Roanoke River Group of the Sierra Club, Town of Pearisburg, Jeffrey & Diane Rhody-Scott, Western Virginia Land Trust, Friends of the Rivers of VA, Whitewater Women's Canoe Club, American Electric Power, American Fisheries Society - Virginia Tech Chapter, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Aquarius Plumbing & Renovation, Blue Ridge River Runners and other individuals.

In addition, preliminary plans have been initiated to develop a "Blue-way" Canoe Trail Park System along the entire length of the New River from its headwaters in the mountains of North Carolina to the New River Gorge National River Area in West Virginia.

Potomac River

Board of Directors

The Friends of the Potomac has an elected Board of Directors representing a geographical, occupational, and political diversity. There are three Councils: Business and Agricultural, Non- governmental Organizations, and State and Local Government. Each of these Councils is composed of two elected representatives from the Upper, Middle, and Lower Region of the Potomac River Watershed, making a total of six representatives per Council. In total Friends of the Potomac's Board of Directors consists of eighteen diverse leaders.

Potomac River Center

The Friends of the Potomac has developed The Potomac River Center, a place where Potomac watershed groups can work and meet. This Center is located at 1730 K Street, Washington, DC 20240 and will be used by FOP staff and non-profit watershed groups. The Potomac River Center offers a convenient downtown location for FOP member organizations to conduct meetings and utilize the resource center. The space has been designed to accommodate: a Potomac River Basin Resource Center; a large conference room for meetings, and smaller meeting nooks for groups of various sizes.

Leadership Potomac

Leaders and emerging leaders have been trained monthly since February 2001 to explore and experience key issues facing the Potomac River. They have developed effective leadership skills needed to address future challenges. From backyard to bay, participants in this innovative, watershed- based community leadership program have gained insights into the problems and potential solutions to protect the river and its landscapes. The program creates a setting where much of the learning flows from the various backgrounds and perspectives that the participants bring to each session.

Leadership Potomac sessions are held at locations in the Potomac watershed to allow participants to experience the issues first hand. To learn more about Leadership Potomac and how you can participant in the 2002 program, contact: Anne M. White, Director, Leadership Potomac, at anne@potomacfriends.org or at 202-467-4000.

Community Partner Workshops

As of September 2001, Friends of the Potomac has assisted with 15 workshops in locations throughout the Potomac watershed. These workshops have focused on watershed issues such as eco-tourism in the upper Potomac; developing coal heritage tourism in western Maryland; addressing water infrastructure problems in West Virginia; and herpetological monitoring in greater Washington D.C. The Community Partner Workshop Program is in its third year and has continued to evolve since the Friends of the Potomac and River Navigator first partnered on a workshop for the Anacostia River in December of 1999. Recent workshops focused on flood hazards in the Upper Potomac and how citizens can be warned through flood forecasting. A Monacacy River Workshop focused on issues that the citizens wanted additional information, like water quality and quantity, agriculture sustainability and reforesting places within the watershed.

The Community Partner Workshop Program would not be possible without support from the Appalachian Regional Commission, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information about the program, contact Leigh Dunkelberger at 202-467-4000 or leigh@potomacfriends.org. Many communities have been successful in obtaining grants to address local issues based on the initial workshop.

Rio Grande River

Flores Appointed Rio Grande River Navigator

While with the Park Service, Mr. Flores was responsible for a nationwide air pollution monitoring network to check air quality in national parks. He was also in charge of strategic planning and international activities for the Air Resources Division. Most recently Flores directed a multi-million dollar air quality study investigating the causes of visibility degradation at Big Bend National Park, including the identification of the sources in the U.S. and Mexico contributing to the haze problems at Big Bend and throughout West Texas. Prior to joining the Park Service, Flores worked as a statistician and air quality specialist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regional office in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Flores' appointment is being sponsored by the EPA with assistance from the National Park Service and the General Services Administration. In addition to assisting the Consortium of the Rio Grande in advancing its action plan, Mr. Flores intends to encourage a watershed view of the Ro Grande by promoting projects that go beyond community borders. Flores sees water quantity and quality, habitat restoration, and downtown revitalization through the creation of riverfront parks as top priorities for the Rio Grande. The preservation of Rio Grande's history and culture are also high on his agenda. As River Navigator, Flores will assist communities in obtaining assistance from Federal agencies for the implementation of community-based projects related to the three central themes of the American Heritage River Initiative: historic and cultural preservation, environmental protection, and economic revitalization. Mr. Flores can be reached at 512-916-5050 or 817-683-6333 (cell phone). His offices are located in the Federal Building in Austin, Texas at: 300 East 8th Street, Suite 914, Austin, Texas 78701.

St. Johns River

River Navigator Steps Down

Dr. Barbara Elkus, river navigator for the St. Johns River since May 1999, will be returning to EPA at the end of September. Dr. Elkus served as the navigator during the establishment of the Steering Committee and Basin Advisory Committees, development of project lists and priorities, and development of a Strategic Plan. Projects along the river totalling about $3 million have been funded. A successor river navigator, to be based in Florida, will be selected by the EPA Region IV office in Atlanta.

EPA Awards $99,100 to Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council

The Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council (NEFRPC) received a grant for $99,100 from the US Environmental Protection Agency to support the Eco-Heritage Corridor. This project is one of the AHRI keystone projects on the river, raising its priority and visibility with federal funding agencies.

The EPA grant provides funds to hire a half-time staff person to work for two years to manage the corridor project. Responsibilities of the staff person include:

1. Provide overall project management
2. Coordinate inventory development and other information collection among the various counties
3. Manage development of databases and the web site
4. Develop educational materials about the corridor

The mission of the corridor is to "celebrate the cultural, historical, natural and outdoor recreational significance of the St. Johns River, an American Heritage River." The project will enhance heritage and nature-based tourism throughout the basin by Floridians and others.

Upper Mississippi River

Progress continues on two keystone projects on the Upper Mississippi River.

 Donation of Private Funds Helps Renovation of Eads Bridge

Just north of the majestic Gateway Arch, and next to the Jefferson National Expansion in St. Louis, MO stands the monument from another era, the James Buchanan Eads bridge with its massive three span steel arches with two stone piers and two masonry approaches. Eads Bridge was built shortly after the Civil War (1874) and was the engineering and construction feat of its day, a double-deck bridge for rail, highway, and pedestrian traffic. Today, efforts are underway to refurbish this historic bridge with historically accurate safety railings and lighting. The plans include replicas of the original Eads railings, restoration of the brickwork and acorn-style light fixtures hanging from L-shaped poles. Improvements also include opening half of the four-lane bridge to bicycle and pedestrian traffic on weekends. This area could later be converted to a full-time pedestrian and bike promenade. All of these changes have been made possible by a $1 million dollar pledge coming from a group of 68 individuals, corporations and foundations. Mayor Clarence Harmon and Trailnet, a St. Louis-based nonprofit group, recently made this announcement and stated that these funds will be used to leverage additional federal and state funding necessary to complete all of this work.

Americorps Team at Work on Nahant Marsh

Nahant Marsh is a unique 513 acre urban wetland adjacent to the Mississippi River in Davenport, IA. River Action, a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible riverfront development has been leading efforts to have this wetland area converted from its previous use as a shooting range to the Nahant Marsh Outdoor Education and Research Center. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service documented this area as a source of waterfowl lead poisoning and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the expenditure of $2 million for the removal of lead-contaminated soil and sediment. The property is now under the ownership of the City of Davenport and River Action is overseeing the restoration work.

The recent efforts of a nine-member AmeriCorps team have furthered the ongoing restoration work at Nahant Marsh. This team of young people are constructing decking and railing on a boardwalk and viewing platform at the marsh. A local engineering firm did the design work and a construction company built the framework.

Additional information can be found in the January 2001 Upper Mississippi Report .

Upp er Susquehanna/Lackawanna River

Watershed Receives $400,000 EPA Grant to Fund First Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring System in Region

The Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna American Heritage River has received a $400,000 grant to establish the first real-time water quality monitoring in the watershed to facilitate environmental assessment and cleanup strategies in the watershed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the funding to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority and the Pennsylvania Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Consortium. The project will be known as RiverNet, short for Real-Time Internet Visualization and Environmental Reporting Network.

"RiverNet will allow us to track the impact of acid mine drainage and combined sewer overflows in our region in real time. This will give us a comprehensive overview of these problems and be a great help and first step in cleaning them up," Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski said. "I want to thank the American Heritage River steering committee, Chairman Russ Singer of the Sanitary Authority, the staff of the authority, and Dr. Dale Bruns and the GIS Consortium for thinking creatively and working together on this grant."

Alex Rogers, the Navigator for the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed explained that the project will also support the use of GIS technology to rank and select the most ideal locations to monitor water quality.

"This constant flow of information will enable us to target specific areas of the river for remediation work, specifically with regard to sewage outflows," Rogers said, noting that the water quality monitoring is an essential first step in isolating the biggest sources of contamination, a process that is critical in terms of applying for and obtaining funding to clean the river.

The data will be displayed visually on the Internet the water quality and land use patterns in the 1,800-square-mile watershed. GIS allows massive amounts of disparate data to be stored in computer systems and then processed in such a way that the data is visualized in thematic maps that are easier to understand and use.

"This new funding will also pay for environmental education and public outreach activities, including workshops and an innovative real-time component that will allow the public to view frequently updated information on the Internet," Congressman Kanjorski said.

Once the RiverNet project is under way, real-time water quality data will be publicly available on the Web sites for the Pennsylvania GIS Consortium and the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna American Heritage River Initiative.

Willamette River

 Funds provided to Albany, Oregon for Periwinkle Creek restoration

The River Navigator provided assistance to Albany, Oregon to obtain an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) grant for $60,000. The grant will provide anadromous fish passage beyond pipes and other structures in the creek which have prevented anadromous fish passage and use of the stream. Periwinkle Creek flows into the main stem of the Willamette River.

Grant proposals for additional funds for Periwinkle Creek restoration were also submitted to the Community Based Salmon Restoration Initiative (CBRI) and the Pacific Grassroots Salmon Initiative (PGSI) fund. As a result of these grant applications, $35,000 was offered to the City for partial funding of Periwinkle Creek restoration.

National Park Service to help plan Willamette River Trail corridor

The National Park Service (NPS) has agreed to provide staff to assist local communities along the Willamette River to begin planning a Willamette River trail corridor. Local communities had demonstrated a strong support for a regional trail corridor at a meeting with NPS hosted by the River Navigator and Willamette Restoration Initiative. Representatives from five cities, three counties and several other groups expressed their support for the application for NPS assistance prepared by the River Navigator and Willamette Restoration Initiative for the communities.

Willamette Restoration Initiative completes restoration strategy

The primary community partner for the Willamette River Navigator, the Willamette Restoration Initiative, published "Restoring a River of Life, The Willamette Restoration Strategy." The Strategy can be viewed at www.oregon.wri.org. The Strategy recommends what needs to be done to restore the health of the Willamette basin. The Strategy is intended to be the Willamette basin supplement to the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and will provide guidance to River Navigator activities. The River Navigator provided support for completing the Strategy and funding for placing the Strategy into a CD-ROM format available for wide distribution.

Portland City Council approves River Renaissance themes

The Portland, Oregon City Council approved formally approved the River Renaissance themes. River Renaissance is a partnership for the revitalization of the Willamette River. This strategy integrates the natural, recreational, urban and economic roles that make the Willamette River vital to the city and the region. Information about River Renaissance can be viewed at http://www.planning.ci.portland.or.us/River_site/Layers.htm. The River Navigator presented information to the Portland City Council about how the some of the plan components could be funded.

Conferences address Willamette River issues

The River Navigator presented information about funding opportunities to attendees at the Lewis and Clark Law School conference on the Willamette River. Information from that presentation was incorporated into a video and made available to communities and other interested groups.

The River Navigator in working with the Willamette Urban Watershed Network to plan and host a conference titled "At the Rivers Edge." The conference will focus on science based approaches to managing urban riparian areas for salmonid protection and recovery. Information the Urban Watershed Network and this conference can be seen at http://www.wuw-net.org/ .

The River Navigator will work with Willamette Restoration Initiative to host a "River Connection" conference in the spring of 2002. This conference will identify resources available to communities and some of the benefits associated with building the communities connection with the river.

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