AHRI Principles
(Portland Agreement)

Volume 3 Number 2
Spring 2000

AHR Committee of Agency Executives Asks for And Receives Communities' Report On Keystone Projects Ready to Be Considered for Federal Support

American Heritage River Navigators met with senior executives of more than a dozen federal agencies, brief Members of Congress and their staff in Washington, D.C., March 14-17. The navigators discussed the status of projects along their rivers geared toward environmental restoration, economic development, cultural renewal and historic preservation. The federal interagency committee, charged with implementing the American Heritage Rivers Initiative, asked the navigators to produce a report detailing projects supported by their communities deemed in need of immediate federal attention. Each project had to be through the planning, design, and feasibility phases. In April, the interagency committee received the report of Keystone Projects and it is now being reviewed and assessed for possible federal action in 2000. For more information, contact Matthew Donoghue, AHRI director of communications and government affairs by phone (202.395.5772) or e-mail at Matthew_P._Donoghue@ceq.eop.gov.

Upper Mississippi River

 Abandoned Barges on the Mississippi

Public interest in removing abandoned barges from off-channel sites continues to increase. Although these abandoned barges are not a hazard to navigation traffic, they are a potential boating hazard to recreation craft, as well as being unsightly. The U.S. Coast Guard has the lead responsibility for addressing this problem, however, their budget doesn't provide adequate funds to do all of the removal work required. Many of the river communities participating in the American Heritage Rivers initiative have expressed their support and interest in working new and innovative partnerships that would help to resolve this situation.

Upper Mississippi - AHRI Website - Coming Soon!

A new website that features information focused specifically on the Upper Mississippi American Heritage River will soon be up and running from the River Navigator's Office in St. Louis. This site will contain a listing of individuals from several Federal agencies that are located in the Upper Mississippi region, or otherwise positioned to help communities find, and use, agency resources for their projects. Links to other valuable web sites will also be available. Watch for the announcement of its availability in the month of May.

AmeriCorps Assistance

AmeriCorps is taking the lead in contacting all of the river communities participating in the American Heritage Rivers Initiative on the Upper Mississippi River, to inform them about assistance programs available through their national service network. Ms. Karen LaBat, Director of Projects and Training at the AmeriCorps NCCC Central Campus in Aurora, is working with the Upper Mississippi River Navigator's Office to help spread the word about these services. AmeriCorps engages thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds in full-time and part-time community service, and provides education awards upon completion of a term of service.

AHRI Brownfields to Green Space Working Group

River communities participating in the American Heritage Rivers Initiative in the metropolitan twin cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN have established a new work group that is dedicated to exploring ways to incorporate green space into brownfields reclamation work. At the present time, there are no policy provisions that provide opportunities to include green space in planning for the future use of brownfields. Possible future courses of action that this work group is considering include legislative action, establishment of a pilot program, and further documentation of the economic benefits of green space. This work group is meeting on a monthly. For more information contact: Ms Linda Henning, Metropolitan Council, Environmental Services in Saint Paul, MN. Phone: 651/602-1279 or linda.henning@metc.state.mn.us

Upcoming Events

Mississippi River Partnering Conference

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, will host this partnering conference at the Regal Riverfront Hotel in St. Louis, MO, June 15-17, 2000. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the Mississippi River Congressional Caucus. This conference is provides a forum to discuss and address the needs and opportunities related to water resources in the Mississippi River Valley, and their impact on the region. The critical objective of the conference is to join together and identify areas of common interest for the good of the valley community and its service as a viable resource to the nation. For more information contact Jim Sherman III (601/634-5079) or Ester Banks (601/634-5823). 

Detroit River

Restoring Grosse Ile's Hennepin Marsh and Trenton Channel's Black Lagoon

On March 1, 2000 the Greater Detroit American Heritage River (AHR) Initiative and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Detroit District issued a news release announcing two ambitious environmental restoration projects - restoring coastal wetland functions to Grosse Ile's Hennepin Marsh and bringing life back to the Trenton Channel's Black Lagoon. These projects rely on broad, interagency cooperation from the U.S. Geological Survey's Great Lakes Science Center, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the City of Detroit Belle Isle Nature Center and Zoo. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers views these projects as opportunities for the Corps to offer expertise as they increase their involvement with environmental restoration. Preliminary restoration plans should be completed by late spring.

Soft Engineering of the Shoreline at Detroit's Gabriel Richard Park

On March 21, 2000 the Great Lakes Commission announced that the Detroit Recreation Department and other partners, working collaboratively with the Greater Detroit AHR Initiative, were awarded one of 18 grants under the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. This project will be a small-scale demonstration project of soft engineering of shoreline along the Detroit River at Gabriel Richard Park. The grant award was for $25,000. Matching funds in excess of $10,000 will also be contributed by various private and public organizations. The Soil Bioengineering Team of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service will be providing technical support to this project.

For more information about Greater Detroit American Heritage River activities, contact Dr. John Hartig, River Navigator by phone (313-568-9594) or e-mail (jhartig@msodetroit.uscg.mil).

Belle Isle Volunteer Stewardship Kickoff Event

The Belle Isle Volunteer Stewardship Kickoff, scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2000, is an event designed to rehabilitate a section of shoreline along Blue Heron Lagoon and to conduct a survey of present day flora on the island. This effort is expected to become an annual event to promote volunteer stewardship of Belle Isle. Approximately 100 volunteers from Friends of Belle Isle, Friends of Detroit River, Detroit Audubon Society, the Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative, and others will be involved in this September 23^rd event. Education will be promoted throughout the activities.

AHR Participates in Detroit Conference

The Greater Detroit AHR Initiative participated in the Downriver 2000 Conference, which attracted over 200 people. Congressman John Dingell hosted the conference. In particular, AHR helped demonstrate how waterfront revitalization can further economic development and enhance "quality of life." U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater was the keynote speaker and highlighted the work of the Greater Detroit AHR Initiative.

Rio Grande River

Flores Appointed Rio Grande River Navigator

On March 6, 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the appointment of Miguel Flores of the National Park Service as the River Navigator for the Rio Grande American Heritage River. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Flores held numerous positions with the Park Service's Air Resources Division in Denver, CO. Flores is a native of Laredo, Texas, on the banks of the Rio Grande, and one of the communities that spearheaded the Rio Grande's nomination as an American Heritage River. Flores is a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy in Laredo and Laredo Community College. He holds a B.S. degree in mathematics from Texas Tech University and an M.S. in mathematical statistics from Southern Methodist University.

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.

Rio Grande American Heritage River Navigator Meets with City Officials

River Navigator Miguel Flores met on March 8th and 10th with Laredo Mayor Elizabeth "Betty" Flores and her staff, and with Webb County Judge Mercurio Martinez, Jr., to familiarize himself with Laredo's and Webb County's American Heritage River Initiative projects. The El Portal Riverfront Park project involves the construction of a riverside road, off ramps from IH-35 providing access to the new road, development of a greenbelt to include walking, jogging and biking trails; the development of a nature preserve, and infrastructure for new urban development. Collectively, the El Portal project will stimulate environmental restoration of the Rio Grande's Laredo riverfront, nurture preservation and economic development in the historic downtown district 

On March 9th Mr. Flores and Mr. Ty Fain, President of the Rio Grande Institute and Executive Secretary of the Consortium of the Rio Grande, attended a special meeting of the Brownsville City Commission presided by Mayor Blanca S. Vela. Various city staff members described each of the projects described in the city's "River Initiative", which was developed as a result of a November 1999 public meeting. Projects include the revitalization of the historic downtown district, creation of a linear park linking historic sites, a new visitor center at Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site, and the restoration of the city's resaca system. Resacas, also known as finger lakes or oxbow lakes, are remnant river channels unique to the area.

Mr. Flores and Mr. Fain also met with Mr. Carlos Rubinstein, Rio Grande Watermaster for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, to discuss the noxious weed problem (water hyacinth and hydrilla) on the Rio Grande. The weeds have proliferated so that they are impeding river flow and preventing sufficient water to reach water supply intakes for the city of Matamoros, Mexico. Several long-term solutions employing biological agents (grass carp and beneficial insects) are being considered in addition to mechanical means.

Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration Awards Grant to Rio Grande Institute 

The Economic Development Administration has awarded a grant to the Rio Grande Institute for community capacity building and to provide technical assistance to communities and community-based organizations along the Rio Grande. Among other things the Institute will assist communities and organizations in developing grant applications and providing technical assistance for American Heritage River Initiative projects. The Institute's President is Mr. Ty Fain and Institute's Executive Director is Mr. Allan Butcher.

Noxious Weeds in Rio Grande

Rio Grande River Pilot Justin Ormsby of the Department of Housing and Urban Development attended a meeting in Rio Grande Valley on the problem of noxious weeds in the Rio Grande. The meeting was hosted by Ken Jones and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. The issue is one of longstanding, and is getting worse all the time. Two types of aquatic vegetation have infiltrated the Rio Grande River, adjacent canals, and irrigation ditches. They are the water hyacinth, and hydrilla. These plants grow rapidly and create serious difficulty for water delivery to both agricultural and municipal and industrial customers. The plants accumulate and "choke" the river and canals, restricting the delivery of water. Additionally they become a harboring place for insects, which can carry disease impacting both sides of the river.

The problem is one that affects all parties in the area. Agricultural interests are affected as well as community interests. Last week the "choke points" became so severe that the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the International Boundary and Water Commission were required to release significant amounts of additional water reserves from Amistad and Falcon Lakes, just to get enough volume in the River to meet the needs of municipal interests in the Brownsville-Matamoros area. This extra water ultimately ends up in the Gulf and cannot be "saved". With drought conditions at hand, and water a scarce commodity to begin with, these resources are lost when they may be needed to meet the basic demands of the communities all along the River. Thus the problem has both direct and indirect connection to community, economic, health, and environmental issues.

The meeting included representatives of local irrigation districts, municipal utility districts, Texas Parks and Wildlife, US Army Corps of Engineers, TNRCC, and the Rio Grande Watermaster Office in Harlingen. Justin R. Ormsby represented HUD and GSA as a federal liaison for the American Heritage River Initiative. At the conclusion of the meeting a group of the participants were joined by Luz Solis-Day of the HUD San Antonio Office and completed site visits to several areas most impacted by the problem. Subsequent to this meeting, River Navigator Flores met with Dr. Earl Chilton to discuss current efforts by the Task Force and to determine possible AHRI involvement in the noxious weed problem.

Lower Mississippi River

Memphis/Shelby County Plan Trail Project Expansion

On March 22, 2000, officials from the public works departments of the City of Memphis and Shelby County, the Memphis Park Commission, and the Memphis District of the Army Corps of Engineers agreed to conduct coordinated design and planning efforts for the hiking and nature portion of the Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control Project for Nonconnah Creek. With this agreement, the planned trail system increased from the original 8.8 miles in the city to over 27 miles into Shelby County. The system will include trails, connecting greenbelts and amenities along the main channel of the creek. Shelby County officials hope to acquire an additional $2.5 million in federal funding for the expansion. No date has been set for the start of construction. However, local efforts for building support with the Tennessee congressional delegation is growing with a goal of starting the work in 2001. The Nonconnah Creek Flood Control Project also includes subprojects in wetland restoration, reforestation, the channel and the building of two environmental learning centers as well as construction to control seasonal flooding in the Nonconnah Creek watershed.

Upcoming Events

Local Groups to Sponsor Lake Pontchartrain Cleanup

The Lincoln Beach Neighborhood Association announced a plan to conduct a lake bottom cleanup of a possible public swimming site at Lincoln Beach to be conducted by a coalition of federal, state and local government and community organizations on June 10, 2000. The effort will target the removal of hazardous materials and obstructions on the lake bottom along Lincoln Beach in New Orleans East, with the goal of eventually improving water quality and safety to allow the reopening of public swimming in Lake Pontchartrain. Public swimming in the lake has been prohibited for many years and Mayor Marc C. Morial has declared his commitment to reopening the lake to public swimming by the year 2001. As part of this commitment, the mayor established a task force last November for the express purpose of exploring methods of improving the health and safety environment of the lake with the goal of allowing public swimming. The planned coalition includes the U.S. Coast Guard, the New Orleans Criminal Sheriff Department, the Orleans Levee Board, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, the New Orleans East Economic Development Foundation, the City of New Orleans, local dive shops, and numerous private volunteers. The announced plan still needs the approval of the coalition partners and the City of New Orleans. If the Lincoln Beach plan is approved, it will be used as a prototype project for other public beach areas along the south shore of the lake.

Hudson River

Beacon Ferry Pier to be Restored

The city of Beacon has recently been learned that the US ACOE approved a design change for the ferry pier permit for the rehabilitation of the old historic pier at the waterfront and that the permit will be issued shortly. This pier is a key piece of the waterfront redevelopment effort for Beacon. The City plans to use the pier for re-establishing ferry service between Beacon and Newburgh, as well as be used by other excursion boasts and watercraft wishing to access the City form the water.

Blackstone/Woonasquatucket River

Over 90 Canoes Compete in the Annual Blackstone River Race

Over 90 canoes competed on a beautiful New England day in the 24^th running of the Blackstone River canoe race. This 9-mile journey down a beautiful stretch of the Blackstone started in Northbridge, MA and ended at River Bend Farm at the State Visitor's Center in Uxbridge, MA. Another canoe race along the Blackstone in RI had 76 people in canoes and kayaks traveling 4 ½ miles from River Island Park in Woonsocket to Manville.

Senator Lincoln Chafee toured the Blackstone River

U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee, along with Mayor Lee Matthews from Central Falls and Mayor Frank Gaschen from Cumberland hosted an event on the banks of the Blackstone River to highlight the removal of one building and the plans for waterfront revitalization on the Central Falls Landing site. Representatives from the community, state and federal agencies and the media then took a ride on the Blackstone River Valley Explorer boat up river to the site of the Lonsdale Drive-in which is scheduled for habitat restoration in 2001. Senator Chafee also participated earlier in the day of a tour of the Blackstone River Valley led by Michael Creasey, Executive Director of the John H Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, and Johanna Hunter, Blackstone-Woonasquatucket River Navigator.

New River

New River Community Partners Attend Ceremonies

The New River Community Partners attended two "Pass-the-Paddle" ceremonies on April 4^th. The first was held near Pearisburg, VA on the site of the proposed Whitt-Riverbend Park. The second was held at Shanklin's Ferry near Bluestone Lake, WV. Director David Brickley, of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, was among the attendees speaking for Virginia. Mary Pearl Compton, Delegate-WV, spoke on behalf of West Virginia.

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