April 15, 2009
Clean and abundant water in our rivers depends on public policy and community action as well as healthy watersheds. With many regional rivers suffering from high levels of pollution and low flows during dry summer months, wildlife and urban and rural communities are being adversely impacted.
Examples of rivers under stress abound. In northwestern California it is estimated that one third of the rivers sink underground during the summer and fall. The U.S. EPA classifies up to 75% of North Coast rivers as "impaired" (polluted), due primarily to excessive sedimentation and elevated temperatures. The demise of native salmon, now teetering on the brink of regional extinction, highlights the need for greater efforts to protect and restore rivers and to safeguard groundwater.
In this issue three organizations focus on citizen-driven, community-based efforts to improve water quality and quantity. Using a variety of techniques including research, cooperative agreements, legal challenges, improving public policy, and public education, these groups strive to maintain and restore watersheds and wildlife and to build sustainable communities.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Spring 2009