American Heritage River News

Vol. 1 No. 1
Oct. 5, 1998

Dear River Partner/Friend/Colleague:

As you know, President Clinton designated 14 American Heritage Rivers on July 30 in a ceremony along the banks of the New River in North Carolina. It was an exciting occasion --the culmination of more than 18 months of hard work by communities and federal agencies. And, as hard as it is to believe, the really exciting work is just beginning. That's why we're writing this newsletter --not only to update you (briefly) on what's happening along the designated rivers and in Washington, D.C., but to encourage you to share your news with us --whether or not your river was designated! Every couple of weeks we will pull together the most recent news on each of the designated rivers, along with any other news you would like to share (details on how to submit information are at the end of this message).

* 'FIRST NINETY DAYS'

During the first 90 days after designation, each community along a designated river was asked to develop three items:

• an agreement between the communities and the federal agencies to identify partnership goals and objectives, participants' roles, an organizational structure for working together, and other items.
• a prioritization of the projects outlined in the plan of action; and
• a position description for the River Navigator.

Each designated river is taking a decidedly different approach --some communities have a great deal of history working together and with the federal government; other communities are just getting started. Flexibility is the byword of the American Heritage Rivers Interagency Task Force these days.

Detailed information on the status of each designated river follows.

* AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS SYMPOSIUM, OCTOBER 23-25, 1998

Forget 'Must See TV!' Fall in Atlanta, Georgia is the place to be, come October 23-25! If you nominated a river for designation, or work for a federal, state, or local agency along a nominated river, you are invited to attend! The symposium will focus on the tools and resources available from federal, state, and local agencies, non-governmental and other community organizations. Most importantly, you will meet your peers from across the country and learn from each other. For more information on the symposium, please call Bill Boyer, Conference Chair, 202-720-0307.

* INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE

Loretta Neumann is now the chair of the American Heritage Rivers Interagency Task Force. Loretta is a special assistant to the Maritime Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation. She has logged nearly 18 years of government service, as well as 11 years in the private sector as a consultant and owner of CEHP Incorporated, a firm specializing in conservation, the environment and historic preservation.

This newsletter will be updated periodically. It will be distributed by e-mail and posted on the American Heritage Rivers web site (www:epa.gov/rivers). If you have information to share with others or If you would like to be added to our e-mail distribution list to receive the newsletter directly, please click on the link Email your suggestions and send us a message.

BLACKSTONE and WOONASQUATUCKET (RI/MA)

The nomination was made by the Providence Plan.

Introductory meetings have been held with agency and community representatives on both rivers.

Community Contact:	Michael Creasey, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Coordinator, One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI 02895 401-762-0250 Jane Sherman, The Providence Plan, 56 Pine Street, Suite 3B, Providence, RI 02903; 401-455-8880
Co-Facilitator:	Doug Thompson, U. S. EPA, Water Quality Unit/Office of Ecosystem Protection, JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203 617-565-3480; 617-565-4940 (fax) thompson.doug@epamail.epa.gov Elissa Tonkin, U.S. EPA, JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203; 617-565- 1154; 617-565-1141 (fax) tonkin.elissa@epamail.epa.gov
Interagency Contact:	Jerry Wylie, U.S. Forest Service, 14th & Independence, S. W., Washington, D.C. 20250; 202-205-1129; 202-205-1145 (fax) jwylie/wo@fs.fed.us

CONNECTICUT (CT/MA/NH/VT)

The Connecticut River Watershed Council submitted the nomination, culminating more than 20 years of activity in the four states bordering the Connecticut River.

A partnership agreement and calendar/timeline for implementation were drafted last month. Subgroups are meeting throughout September on the economic development, historic preservation and environmental protection aspects of the plan of action, culminating in a meeting on October 6 with the regional and state leadership of the federal agencies in the area.

A Great River Festival was held October 3 and 4 in New Hampshire. Dayton Duncan (chair, American Heritage Rivers Initiative Advisory Committee) hosted a commemorative ceremony on October 3. Another public meeting is planned for October 13.

Community Contact:	Whitty Sanford/Tom Miner, Connecticut River Watershed Council, One Ferry Street, Easthampton, MA 01027; 413-529- 9500
Facilitator:	Eric Scherer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 3 Sunrise Terrace, East Granby, CT 06026; 860-653-4149; 860-887-4149 (fax) eric.scherer@ct.usda.gov
Interagency Contact:	Roger Stephenson, U. S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W. (MIB 31230), Washington, D.C. 20240; 202-208-3855; 202-208-1821 (fax); Roger_Stephenson@ios.doi.gov

CUYAHOGA (OH)

The Cuyahoga was nominated by the Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan.

Five partner organizations (the Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan, Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, the Northeast Ohio Area wide Coordinating Agency, the Northeast Ohio Four County Planning and Development Organization, and the Upper Cuyahoga River Watershed Task Force) are drafting a partnership agreement and identifying priority issues.

Public meetings are being planned for later in October.

Community Contact:	Kay Carlson, Program Manager, Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization/ Cuyahoga River RAP, 668 Euclid Avenue, 4th Floor Atrium, Cleveland, OH 44114- 3000 216-241-2414, ext. 253
Facilitator:	Lucy Loghead, Community Builder, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Renaissance on Playhouse Square, 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 500, Cleveland, OH 44115-1815 216-522-4058, ext. 7106; 216-522-4677 (fax)
Interagency Contact:	Loretta Neumann, U. S. Department of Transportation, American Heritage Rivers, 722 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503; 202-395-7416; 202-456-6546 (fax) Loretta.Neumann@marad.dot.gov

DETROIT (MI)

The City of Detroit, Wayne County, Downriver Community Conference and Peter Stroh, representing the business community, nominated the Detroit River.

After numerous meetings, a partnership agreement has been drafted. To solicit broad public input, project descriptions will be solicited from the 175 organizations and individuals that supported the nomination.

Community Contact:	Mark Breederland, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant Extension, MSUE-Macomb County, 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 12, Clinton Township, MI 48036; 810-469-7176
Facilitator:	Rick Wears, Community Builder, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, McNamara Federal Building, 477 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48266 313-226-7900, ext. 8046; 313-226-5611 (fax) R._B._Wears@hud.gov
Interagency Contact:	Karen Hobbs, U. S. Department of Agriculture, American Heritage Rivers, 722 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503 202-395-7417; 202-456-6546 (fax) Hobbs_K@a1.eop.gov

HANALEI (HI)

The University of Hawaii nominated the Hanalei.

A series of introductory meetings was held in August with government representatives and community groups. A traditional Hawaiian ceremony will be held in mid-October to bring together the community.

Community Contact:	Michael Kido, University of Hawaii, 7370 A Kuamoo Road, Kapaa, HI 96746 808-822-4984
Facilitator:	Dr. James Kent, 970-927-4424
Interagency Contact:	Jerry Wylie, U.S. Forest Service, 14th & Independence, S. W., Washington, D.C. 20250; 202-205-1129; 202-205-1145 (fax) jwylie/wo@fs.fed.us

HUDSON (NY)

The nomination was submitted by Governor Pataki, who, five days after the Hudson was designated an American Heritage River, signed an executive order supporting the designation.

The Governor's office and local nonprofits will convene a meeting to develop an implementation schedule and ensure broader community participation, through better coordination and integration of existing projects.

Community Contact:	John Spenser, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561- 1696 914-332-1835, ext. 369
Facilitator:	E. K. James, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.; 202-452-5157
Interagency Contact:	Jack Frost, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation Service Watersheds and Wetlands Division P. O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20013 202-720-9483; 202-690-1462 (fax) jfrost@usda.gov

MISSISSIPPI, Lower (TN/LA)

This designation encompassed two nominations, one from the City of Memphis, Tennessee, which covers the immediately adjacent area plus two small river tributaries, and the City Of New Orleans, which includes that portion up to Baton, Rouge, Louisiana.

The Baton Rouge/New Orleans corridor hosted an outreach meeting for state and local officials on September 30.

A 2-3 day symposium will be held in Memphis to engage the entire river community in the implementation of the action plan.

Future outreach meetings are being scheduled and the partnership agreements are being drafted.

Community Contact:	Memphis: The Honorable Willie Herenton, Mayor, City of Memphis, 125 North Main Street, Room 200, Memphis, TN 38103; 901-576-6011 New Orleans: Jerald White, Office of Mayor Marc Morial, City of New Orleans, 1300 Berdido Street, Suite 8EO6, New Orleans, LA 70112; 504-565-8115
Facilitator:	Memphis: Lt. Troy Taylor, U. S. Coast Guard Reserve, c/o Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Lower Mississippi River, 2 Auction Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105; 901-544-3912, ext. 121; 901-544-3915 (fax); T.Taylor/GRULMR@uscg.mil New Orleans Jim Murphy, U. S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 501 Magazine Street, Room 1223, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3394; 504-589-2000, ext. 229 (phone); 504-589-6559 (fax) James.Murphy@marad.dot.gov
Interagency Contact:	Loretta Neumann, U. S. Department of Transportation, American Heritage Rivers, 722 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503; 202-395-7416; 202-456-6546 (fax) Loretta.Neumann@marad.dot.gov

MISSISSIPPI, Upper (MO/IL/IA/WI/MN)

Fifty-eight mayors along the Upper Mississippi submitted the application.

Organizational structure and community involvement are the two main issues faced by the nominating group. A series of meetings in each state will be held to address these issues, culminating in a meeting in late October for all 58 mayors to address the issues raised.

Community Contact:	The Honorable Robert Moloney, Mayor, City of Hannibal, 320 Broadway, Hannibal, MO 63401; 573-221-0111
Co-Facilitators:	Matthew Didier, U. S. EPA, 77 West Jackson, Chicago, IL 60604; 312-886-6711; 312-886-6171 (fax) Janet Pfundheller, U. S. EPA, 77 West Jackson, SMR-7J, Chicago, IL 60604 312-353-5821 pfundheller.janet@epamail.epa.gov
Interagency Contact:	Chuck Moeslein, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, 20 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20314-1000 202-761-8534; 202-761-1972 (fax) charles.r.moeslein@usace.army.mil

NEW (NC/VA/WV)

The nomination was submitted by The Conservation Fund.

A number of committees have been formed to develop a comprehensive work plan and schedule and a draft partnership agreement and River Navigator position description. A nonprofit organization is being formed to oversee the implementation.

A public meeting was held on Monday, October 5 in Independence, Virginia.

Community Contact:	Mikki Sager, The Conservation Fund, P. O. Box 271, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-967-2223
Co-Facilitators:	Craig White, The Conservation Fund, P. O. Box 271, Chapel Hill, NC 27514; 919-967-2223; 919-967-9702 (fax) craig@arcan.com Melanie Young, Allegheny County Chamber Of Commerce, P. O. Box 1237, Sparta, NC 28675; 336-372-5473; 336-372-8251 (fax)
Interagency Contact:	Chuck Moeslein, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, 20 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20314-1000 202-761-8534; 202-761-1972 (fax) charles.r.moeslein@usace.army.mil

POTOMAC (VA/WV/D.C./MD/PA)

The Mt. Vernon Ladies Association, representing scores of organizations, submitted the nomination.

A project matrix was developed and sent to each federal agency to begin to obtain their support. A number of subcommittees were formed to address such issues as fundraising; the partnership agreement and River Navigator position description development; organization; and events.

A meeting of the regional and state directors of the federal agencies was held on September 21. The Friends of the Potomac presented their ideas for the River Navigator position and partnership agreement (including draft documents). The full steering committee will meet in mid-October.

Community Contact:	Karen Zachary, Nomination Coordinator, 1411 North Lincoln Street, Alexandria, VA 22201 703-522-8783
Facilitator:	Mike Haske, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240; 202-452-5034; 202-452-0346 (fax); M_Haske@wo.blm.gov
Interagency Contacts:	Roger Stephenson, U. S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W. (MIB 31230), Washington, D.C. 20240; 202-208-3855; 202-208-1821 (fax); Roger_Stephenson@ios.doi.gov Jack Frost, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation Service, Watersheds and Wetlands Division, P. O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20013; 202-720-9483; 202-690-1462 (fax); jfrost@usda.gov

RIO GRANDE (TX)

The nomination was submitted by CoRio, an organization formed by jurisdictions along the Rio Grande for the express purpose of seeking American Heritage Rivers designation.

A cooperative agreement was recently signed, following a meeting with the regional and state directors of the federal agencies, and a number of candidates for the River Navigator position have been identified.

Community Contact:	Tyrus G. Fain, General Secretary, CoRio, UTEP/CERM Burges Hall, 500 West University Boulevard, El Paso, TX 79968-0645 915-747-5328; 915-747-5145 (fax) Tfain@utep.edu
Facilitator:	None identified.
Interagency Contact:	Ray Clark, Associate Director, White House Council on Environmental Quality, 722 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503; 202-395-7419; 202-456-6546 (fax); Clark_R@a1.eop.gov

ST. JOHNS (FL)

Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney submitted the nomination.

An organizational structure to implement the plan of action is already in place and it includes a citizen advisory component. A partnership agreement and River Navigator position description are being drafted.

Community Contact:	Isabel Peace, Office of Mayor John Delaney, 117 West Duval Street, Suite 400, Jacksonville, FL 32202; 904-630- 1786
Facilitator:	Jim Walker, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 301 West Bay Street, Suite 2200, Jacksonville, FL 32202 904-232-1777, ext. 2139; 904-232-3759 (fax) James_R._Walker@hud.gov
Interagency Contact:	Chris Lewicki, U. S. EPA, 401 M Street, S. W. (mail code: 450if), Washington, D.C. 20003; 202-260-2757; 202-260-2941 (fax) lewicki.chris@epamail.epa.gov

UPPER SUSQUEHANNA-LACKAWANNA WATERSHED (PA)

Congressman Paul Kanjorski submitted the nomination, which covers 12 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Two subcommittees have been formed to address the partnership agreement and community involvement. A series of public meetings will be held in October to solicit broad community input into project prioritization.

Community Contact:	Tom Williams, Office of Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski, The Stegmaier Building, 7 North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, Suite 400M, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-5283; 717-825-2200 Tom.williams@mail.house.gov
Facilitator:	Glenn Hanson, Special Assistant, Office of the Director, Air Protection Division, U. S. EPA, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103; 215-814-2053; 215-814-2101 (fax) hanson.glenn@epamail.epa.gov
Interagency Contact:	Karen Hobbs, U. S. Department of Agriculture, American Heritage Rivers, 722 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503 202-395-7417; 202-456-6546 (fax) Hobbs_K@a1.eop.gov

WILLAMETTE (OR)

Governor John Kitzhaber submitted the nomination.

The Governor recently appointed an executive director to lead his clean water task force. The task force will also have jurisdiction over the American Heritage Rivers implementation for the Willamette.

Community Contact:	Louise Solliday, Office of Governor John Kitzhaber, Oregon State Capitol, Salem, OR 97310; 503-378-3589
Facilitator:	Tim Mealy, The Meridian Group, P. O. Box 4005, 05 Village Place, Dillon, CO 80453; 970-513-8340; 970-513-8348 (fax) tmealy@merid.org
Interagency Contact:	Karen Hobbs, U. S. Department of Agriculture, American Heritage Rivers, 722 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503 202-395-7417; 202-456-6546 (fax) Hobbs_K@a1.eop.gov

EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us