River Network is a crucial national organization working to build the capacity and effectiveness of grassroots activists and groups that work to improve water quality. This weekend at its annual River Rally in Baltimore, 6 new River Heroes will be named. Here's your sneak peek:

Dr. T. Allan Comp
Founder and Coordinator of the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team (ACCWT) and the Western Hardrock Watershed Team (WHWT).

An employee of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Comp works through the ACCWT and the WHWT to support the efforts of small community/watershed groups in mining communities of Appalachia and the Rocky Mountains. The ACCWT and the WHWT are coalitions of grassroots-level groups created to repair the environmental degradation left by historic coal mining while creating economic stability needed in rural communities.

The ACCWT, headquartered in Beckley, W.Va., serves an eight-state area comprising Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Its goals include building local capacity to fix problems, monitoring water quality, enhancing community outreach and education, developing local communities, and developing the professional skills of the VISTA Volunteers who serve with the organization. The WHWT was founded at the request of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, to emulate the successes of the ACCWT. Both teams are supported by an innovative partnership between AmeriCorps VISTA and the Office of Surface Mining.

Ella Filippone
Passaic River Coalition, New Jersey

The Passaic River Basin is the most densely populated area in the State of New Jersey. It is composed of eight counties and 118 municipalities totaling 2.5 million people. While the Passaic is only 81 miles long, its eight major tributaries contribute over 1000 river miles to the watershed. In 1969, the Passaic River was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the two most polluted rivers in the United States.

Ella F. Filippone has been the Executive Director of the Passaic River Coalition for the past 38 years, racking up major victories for surface water and aquifers along the way. In the 1990s, Ella discovered $10 million in an old bond act and shepherded it through the state legislature so that New Jersey could initiate the purchase of 17,000 acres in the high headwaters of the Passaic, a critical water supply resource.

Cynthia Skrukrud
Illinois Sierra Club

Cindy Skrukrud has lived the past 22 years in the glacial hills of Northern Illinois overlooking the mighty Nippersink Creek, a tributary to the Fox River of southern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois. Along with her work with Sierra Club, Prairie Rivers Network, Environmental Law & Policy Center and Openlands to protect streams and wetlands throughout Illinois, working with fellow citizens and other stakeholders to protect the Nippersink and streams throughout the Fox River watershed has been her passion.

Cindy is currently working to establish the first National Wildlife Refuge in the Chicago region within the Nippersink watershed in IL and WI. For the past six years, she has chaired the Fox River Study Group, a multi-stakeholder group working to study the conditions of the Fox River and to figure out the most cost effective means to clean up problems on the Fox and prevent future ones. They've teamed up with the sewage treatment plant operators they used to battle with. For the past year, she has helped to form a similar group in the Hickory Creek watershed, another river south of Chicago facing development pressures. Out of such negotiations, the Village of Antioch was the first town in Illinois to adopt a ban on phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizer; now a dozen other towns have followed suit and the trend is continuing to grow.

Roger Frymire
“The Mad Kayaker,” Charles River Watershed Association, Massachusetts

Retired for 20 years, Roger started down the slippery slope of watershed volunteering after borrowing – for 4 years - a friend's canoe. Now armed with a kayak, Roger’s dedication to rivers is inspiring.

Trained by the Charles River Watershed Association and aided by Merrimack River Watershed Council and Mystic River Watershed Association, Roger did extensive research on the location and ownership of suspect outfall pipes, then scoured the shorelines by kayak using sight, sound, and smell to locate flowing pipes to sample. On the Charles to the Mystic Watershed and more recently to the Merrimack, he has taken well over 2000 water samples for fecal bacteria enumeration - identifying over 100 outfalls with sewage contamination.

Roger’s work has received national recognition but has tried to keep the focus on the watersheds instead of personality, and to give plaudits and credit to those communities working hard to find and fix the sources of problems identified. The first enforcement person he worked closely with at EPA gifted him the nick-name: “The Mad Kayaker,” a label he encouraged because it allows writers a memorable hook to get people interested in an otherwise often disgusting story.

Dean Naujoks
Yadkin Riverkeeper, North Carolina

Born in PA and raised on the Upper Delaware (National Scenic) River, Dean has over 18 years of environmental non-profit experience in North Carolina. He began his non-profit career with the NC Wildlife Federation for eight years from 1991-1999 and started the Upper Neuse Riverkeeper from 2001 to 2008. As of 2008, he became Yadkin Riverkeeper.

His work with the Muddy Water Watch (MWW) Program in the Neuse Basin has developed into a successful statewide initiative; being seen as an effective tool to engage the public to monitor and keep construction sites in compliance with water quality laws. The MWW Program continues to grow nationally.

Dr. Liane Russell
Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, Tennessee

Liane Brauch (Lee) Russell has studied mammalian genetics for more than 45 years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Biology Division. In the mid-60s, Lee developed a keen appreciation for the river gorges of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau and organized a grassroots environmental advocacy group, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP). In 1966, when plans were aired to dam the Obed River, Lee and TCWP mounted an aggressive, and ultimately successful, campaign to keep this river system free flowing. By researching information, publicizing it in the media, working with federal and state agencies and gaining the ear of legislators, they managed to secure designation of a National Wild and Scenic River for the Obed River in 1976.

Similarly, after helping to defeat an even larger dam proposal for the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, Lee won a National River & Recreation Area designation for the 125-acre Big South Fork in 1974.

Lee played a lead role in the drafting and passage of Tennessee’s State Scenic Rivers Act, which is the first such act in the United States, as well as in the development and designation of the 11-mile North Ridge Trail in Oak Ridge as a Federal and State Recreation Trail. She also played a primary role in the passage of the State Natural Area Act, and the designation of Frozen Head as a State Park and Natural Area. Over the years, she has led the charge on strip-mining issues such as state and federal bills and Land Unsuitable for Mining Petitions (LUMP).

Through her work, more than 150,000 acres of land and more than 120 miles of river are permanently protected from adverse development in the Cumberlands. Because of her efforts on strip-mining, many of Tennessee’s rivers are spared siltation and acid drainage. Her dedication, passion and tenacity have helped protect lands and water to make them available for generations to come.

About the Award
River Network is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people understand, protect and restores rivers and their watersheds. The National River Hero, a peer-nominated award started by River Network in 2002, annually celebrates rivers and recognizes individuals in the watershed movement who provide leadership, inspire the work of others, utilize innovative strategies and techniques to achieve significant results, and foster the growth and sustainability of a watershed community. To date, 28 individuals have been honored as National River Heroes. Awards will be presented on May 31 at River Network’s annual National River Rally.

For more information: www.rivernetwork.org/rally

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At SEJ, doom and gloom without the sense of humor

It is tough to argue with a man with a net worth that begins not with an "m" but with a "b." The man didn't inherit his billions, he got them by investing early in promising but not yet proven technologies. This suggested the billionaire had the power of clairvoyance and, so, when he talked about the future of the planet and global warming, I had to listen.

What the billionaire had to say to me was shocking. He argued that the public, you and I, do not really matter when it comes to global warming. It is all about technology, he said. People will always chose the cheapest, most convenient way.

In his view, the only way to keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere is for clever engineers to come up with cheaper more convenient methods to get the job done while producing less greenhouse gas. In other words, this very rich man was arguing that it matters not a whit whether or not the public is educated about threats to the environment. Deliver folks cleaner, cost-effective technology and that is how the problem gets fixed.

I thought a lot about this conversation with the billionaire as I climbed to the top of the world to examine clear and present signs of global warming. My destination was the Himalayan glacier that feeds the sacred Ganges River in India, a glacier that scientists say is endangered as the climate changes. I was accompanied by Conrad Anker, the famed mountaineer who discovered George Mallory's body on Everest.

The plan was to take our television audience on a memorable voyage of discovery (to India, among other places) with a compelling travel companion (Conrad) consulting with experts along the way. The operating assumption was the more people engage the global warming issue, the better, regardless of which direction their engagement points them.

But what if the billionaire was right and it is all about economics not about public understanding? If that is the case I could have left the TV cameras home, spared myself the climb to 15,500 feet, and instead found a convenient beach.

As we continued reporting this project (which airs on PBS Friday, April 17) it became clear how wrong the billionaire was, his business acumen notwithstanding. During our travels, we came across no course of action when it comes to global warming where there is a free lunch, delivered through technology. Every single course of action on climate change--do a lot, do a little, do nothing--has a cost to the public.

It seems to me the crucial question policymakers should be asking the public is "Since you have to pay one way or another, how much are you willing to pay for the outcome you want?" These are tough decisions and it is policy that needs guidance from an informed public that will be asked to make sacrifices under all scenarios.

But don't listen to me. Of all the b-words people hurl my way, none of them is "billionaire."

More about "On Thin Ice."

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Federal decision may be first step toward dam removal on the Klamath River

Four hydroelectric dams along the Oregon-California border must ease fish passage to earn license renewal, says the Bush administration. The decision may spur the largest dam-removal project in history, as installation of fish ladders and other devices could cost far more than just removing the dam things. The Klamath River dams have cramped salmon's style for nearly a century, and local tribes, greens, and anglers have long clamored for their destruction. Last year, the feds agreed that was the best option to improve water quality and fish health. Might be a sweet deal for ratepayers too: alternative power sources could save customers of dam owner PacifiCorp up to $285 million over 30 years. "It's kind of like if you have a 1974 Ford Pinto and you can't get it to pass [an] emissions test, you can either dump a lot of money in the old car or you can just get rid of it and get the hybrid," says one member of the Karuk Tribe. "And what we're telling PacifiCorp is that it's time to get the hybrid."

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California's Owens River runs again after nearly a century

The most ambitious river habitat restoration in the West kicked off this week, as Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa turned a knob on a dam and allowed water to flow through. The dam, built in 1913 to direct water into an L.A. aqueduct some 250 miles away, evaporated Owens Lake into salt flats and kick-started nearly a century of simmering rural resentment over L.A.'s habitat-destroying thirst. In 1991, the L.A. Department of Water and Power agreed to restore the Lower Owens River; in 2005, having missed 13 deadlines, DWP was spurred into action when informed by a court that it would be charged $5,000 a day until the project was completed. The river rehabilitation is not expected to cause water shortages or rate hikes for DWP customers, as water will be pumped back to the aqueduct once it reaches the lake. It will, however, boost habitat for a variety of species, as well as the tourism economy of small towns along the river's banks. Everybody wins!

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Dead San Joaquin River will be revived

More than 60 miles of California's dead, sandy San Joaquin River may yet run with water and salmon again, as enviros and farmers have settled an 18-year legal battle over the river's fate. Based on a new 20-year, $250-to-$800 million restoration plan, agricultural water diversion from the river will be reduced by an average of 15 percent and the spring chinook salmon run, wiped out by a dam in 1942, will be revived. "The magnitude of this restoration effort … is virtually unprecedented in the American West," says Hal Candee of the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of 14 green groups that sued the Bureau of Reclamation in 1988. Water for agriculture may be recirculated, stored, or bought at a discount from the federal government; a representative for the 15,000 area farmers says growers are "optimistic that we can successfully implement the agreement."

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Dioxin-laced Passaic River remains uncleaned by corporations that fouled it

For today's tale of corporate skullduggery and government negligence, we take you to the lovely state of New Jersey. For almost 20 years beginning in the early '50s, the Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Co. -- manufacturer of pesticides like DDT and Agent Orange -- dumped its dioxin-laden waste untreated into the Passaic River, because really, who's got the time? In 1994, the federal Superfund program ordered Diamond's corporate successors to clean the river up. Ha ha. Said corporate successors proceeded to finance years of scientific studies arguing that dioxin (one of the most toxic synthetic chemicals ever produced) isn't that bad after all, and that lots of other companies dirtied the river too. Meanwhile, their corporate lobbyists descended on Washington, spreading cash around. And lo! In 2002, the feds decided a more "holistic" approach was needed, funded not only by Diamond's descendents but by other companies and taxpayers to boot, and the whole thing should kick off with a decade-long ... study. Meanwhile, the dioxin remains in the Passaic, spreading out farther every year.

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Underwater turbines to be tested in New York river

Avoiding the bickering over wind power and biofuels, a Virginia-based company is seeking clean energy in the watery deep. Within a few weeks, Verdant Power will submerge turbines in New York's East River to draw energy from the tides. The first phase of the project will run for 18 months, with six turbines supplying energy to a nearby supermarket and parking garage; if this test run is successful, up to 300 improved turbines will be installed in 2010, enough to power 8,000 homes. This hydrokinetic or "in-stream" energy is an eco-friendly alternative to hydropower, wherein water is dammed and released. With watermills, "[f]ish and marine mammals can easily swim around," says one researcher. During the test run, the turbines will be closely monitored to make sure our fishy friends are not harmed. Says Dean Corren of Verdant, "There's no such thing as a 100 percent clean source of energy, but this is as close as you can get."

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U.S. streams in sad shape, says EPA analysis

It's Monday and most of the streams in the U.S. are in bad shape. Can we go back to bed? A U.S. EPA study finds that 42 percent of "wadeable" U.S. streams are in poor condition, 25 percent are fair, and only 28 percent are good (OK, math geeks, 5 percent were not analyzed because of sampling problems). Streams running between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean fared the worst, with 52 percent listed as poor. And the blame goes to: human sewage, erosion, and logging and farming practices that pollute streams with nitrogen and phosphorus. "The data collected through this study will help support better water-quality protection," said the EPA's Benjamin Grumbles, whose name we never tire of. None too soon, says Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group: "We passed the Clean Water Act 35 years ago, and this is the first time we've taken a look at our small rivers and streams."

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Pollution from November spill in China still taints downstream waterways

Months after a factory explosion in China dumped benzene and other chemicals into the Songhua River, thawing ice is releasing a second wave of toxins into downstream waterways near Khabarovsk, Russia. More than half a million residents of the city have been advised not to drink their strongly chemical-smelling tap water. A similar warning has gone out to 40,000 villagers in Changqi in southern China, where wastewater from a chemical factory polluted a five-mile stretch of the Sancha River this weekend. According to China's chief environmental regulator, there have been 76 environmental accidents in the country since November, or an average of one every two days. Pollution from such accidents has strained relations with neighboring Russia and caused civil unrest at home. Responding to concerns, China passed a law on Saturday that bans discharge of sewage and chemical wastes into agricultural areas.

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Low salmon numbers provoke protests, legislation, and a state of emergency

Next week is supposed to kick off salmon season in Oregon and California, but the Bush administration is expected to severely restrict or completely bar commercial salmon fishing due to a critically low salmon count in the Klamath River. About 100 angry fisherfolk protested in San Francisco on Monday. "If they shut this season down, they shut me down," said one burly fisher and single father. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) has declared a state of emergency for coastal fishing communities in his state. Fishers blame the feds, who divert river water for agriculture and run hydropower dams that heat the Klamath to a temperature that fosters fishy parasites. In 2002, almost 80,000 adult salmon died from what now pass as normal river conditions: low water, high temperatures, and disease. Three California reps introduced a bill in the House yesterday that calls for a salmon recovery plan, conservation projects along the Klamath, and $81 million in disaster relief for commercial fishers and related businesses.

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Olya Melen doesn't think small. In her first-ever court case, the young Ukrainian attorney challenged a massive canal project proposed for the Danube Delta, an internationally recognized wetland on the edge of the Black Sea. Melen, a lawyer for the public-interest group Environment-People-Law, argued that the canal would disrupt the area's rural communities and diverse wildlife, violating national laws and international agreements.

Olya Melen.

Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize.

The court agreed with Melen, ruling in 2004 that the Ukrainian government's environmental analysis was inadequate. But government officials pressed ahead with construction, continuing to dredge and shore up sections of the proposed canal. Not until late 2005, after the popular Orange Revolution swept President Viktor Yushchenko into office, did the government agree to a temporary halt of the project.

Yushchenko has said he wants to complete the project, which would allow shipping vessels to travel between the Danube River and the Black Sea. But Melen hopes the new government's respect for law -- and the Ukrainian people's renewed faith in their government and court system -- will help her and her allies protect the Danube Delta.

Melen, 26, was awarded one of six 2006 Goldman Environmental Prizes at a ceremony in San Francisco on April 24. She spoke to Grist from San Francisco.

Would you describe the Danube Delta and its environmental importance?

Studying a map of the Danube Delta.

Photo: John Bonine.

I have been to the delta many times, and every time it's like an adventure to paradise. The nature there -- it's incredible, it's like a fairy tale. There are so many birds, fish, insects, plants -- it's really exciting to go there, you really get an inspiration for your future work in nature protection. It's important not just for Ukraine, but also for the world. It has almost the largest reed beds in the world, and it is one of the world's largest, most beautiful, and least altered wetlands. A lot of migrating birds stay there, breed their families, and have a good time, because there are plenty of fish there. The territory was recognized as a wetland of international importance [under the Ramsar Convention], and as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve under the auspices of UNESCO.

What would happen to the delta if the proposed canal were completed?

Construction of the canal in such a magnificent area would have an adverse effect on the environment. It would cut the territory into two parts, and [if constructed as planned] it would go through the most sensitive and most valuable territory of the reserve. There are a lot of threatened species that have their spawning and breeding grounds nearby, so the noise pollution and water pollution from the canal would have negative effects on the fish, birds, and many other species that are found there.

How did you learn about the canal project, and why were you interested in it?

Three years ago the government decided to dig this canal, and the information was posted in the newspaper. We decided to take this case because the territory was very, very important for Ukraine, and for the international community. Also, it was a very negative precedent to have a very valuable natural area sacrificed to economic interests. We feared that if the government succeeded, it could result in more illegal attacks on protected areas in the future, not only in Ukraine but also all around the world.

How did you come to be the lead attorney on the case?

This case was the first big case for me -- it was my first court experience, and my first court victory. I owe a lot to my colleagues and to my mentors, who had confidence in me, and who said, "You need to take this case." First I was just coordinating the case, but now I am leading it.

You were only in your early 20s at the time, right? Were you intimidated?

I was a little bit nervous, especially the first time I went to court. Actually, I was more than nervous -- my hands were shaking, my voice was breaking, and it was really scary. And my opponents were quite strong. The government of Ukraine employed a lot of lawyers who came to court all the time, too, sometimes three at a time, and they were quite aggressive.

So it was scary, but I think that being young was a good thing. Nobody expected to have a qualified opposing party in this suit. They all said, "She is so young, she knows nothing. She will not be able to convince the judge." So I caught them by surprise. The judges didn't take me seriously at first, but then they decided that my arguments were quite sound. Then I was taken seriously.

So what gave you the courage to stand up to these opponents?

Aerial view of the delta.

Photo: A. Vorauer.

I was very sympathetic toward nature, toward the Danube Delta. The nature there gave me a strong impetus to work further on this case. Also I liked the friendly style of family life in the delta. I wanted the people there to keep what they had, so I was also representing them in court. Also, the people in my organization who trusted me, who were confident that I would be able to do this -- there was no way I could let them down. So I had to take this seriously, I had to work hard, and I had to win.

What do you think was the most powerful argument you used in court?

The most powerful argument was that the government was breaking many, many legal norms. We were trying to persuade the judges that this territory is worth being preserved for future generations, that they need to keep this territory clear and not allow the shipping canal. The number of international conventions that were violated during canal construction was really large -- more than 10 conventions -- and so we argued that if Ukraine dredges the canal in this area, it would have problems with the international community.

What has the Orange Revolution meant to your fight against the canal?

I think the Orange Revolution was very important, almost the turning point in our struggle. The new government seems to be more sympathetic toward the environment, and toward the establishment of the rule of law in the country. They want to keep the good faith in the international community.

Also, the Orange Revolution was very inspiring to many people. It proved that every person can make a difference, and that the government needs to respect the rights of every citizen, not just the huge group but also every citizen. And it raised the confidence of people in the court system. The Supreme Court of Ukraine played a huge role during the Orange Revolution, because they were hearing the cases on the violations during the elections. Everyone was watching the court hearings on TV from morning till afternoon, and I think [the judges'] decisions inspired more people to go to court and seek justice in front of the government.

What is your strategy for the future?

The canal project is still alive, and the new president has said that we need to complete the construction. So we want to make sure that the government makes its decisions in a sound way, in a legal way, and involves the public. The decisions need to be environmentally and scientifically sound.

What does the prize mean to you?

For me, it's a great achievement, and it proves that I made the right choice in life when I became a public-interest environmental lawyer. I hope it will be useful for the case, and I hope that such a high recognition will eliminate all the suspicion that some members of the public had about our activity. We were accused a few times of being Romanian spies, but I hope that now those accusations will be eliminated, and people will be more environmentally concerned.

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Judge orders Bush admin to shift water to Klamath River salmon

Endangered Klamath River coho salmon -- what's left of them anyway -- scored a victory yesterday, as a federal judge ordered the Bureau of Reclamation to increase river flows in drought years and the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop a biological study that would lead to a more equitable split of water between fish and farmers. During low flows in the spring of 2002, thousands of juvenile salmon died in the Klamath, which runs from southern Oregon to northern California, and later that year about 70,000 adults migrating upriver to spawn died of a disease that California wildlife officials blame on low flows. Klamath coho are now on the brink of extinction, and chinook numbers in the river are so low that this year's commercial catch may be banned. Fish advocates hope the new ruling will end years of struggle over Klamath water. "We don't want to lurch from crisis to crisis," says Earthjustice lawyer Kristen Boyles. "We need to figure how to manage this scarce resource."

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Fishing ban considered for Klamath chinook along West Coast

With chinook salmon runs in the Klamath River plummeting, federal regulators are considering an unprecedented ocean-fishing ban on chinook along 700 miles of coast, from northern Oregon to just south of Carmel, Calif. A combination of factors on the Klamath River, including warm, low-flowing water and runoff from farming and timber operations, created conditions that allowed a fish-parasite population to explode a few years ago, killing over 80 percent of returning juvenile chinook in spring 2002 and 2003, say scientists. The Pacific Fishery Management Council will consider options to help the salmon make a comeback during meetings this week in Seattle, with final policy recommendations expected in April. A fishing ban could influence the renewal of federal hydropower licenses for dams on the Klamath River, which are believed to be contributing to parasite-friendly conditions in the river.

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China faces two more toxic river crises

Two new toxic spills have hit rivers in central China. Last week, cadmium seeped out of silt dredged in a cleanup effort on the industrialized Xiangjiang River, contaminating a 60-odd mile stretch of the waterway, and a broken pipe at a power plant dumped six tons of diesel fuel into a tributary of the Yellow River. Chinese officials are downplaying both incidents, saying that they're using chemicals to neutralize the spills, and that drinking water supplies are safe. But with some 70 percent of China's rivers polluted, more and more citizens are feeling that the country is paying too heavy an environmental price for its economic boom. "Some local authorities only pay attention to the environment when problems arise," says local legislator Wang Guoxiang, "and sometimes then they still respond carelessly." China has meanwhile announced that it will spend more than $3 billion over five years to clean up November's massive benzene spill on the Songhua River.

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California delta tapped for too much water, in ecological crisis

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in California is in ecological freefall. The 738,000-acre area supplies drinking water to millions and irrigation water for major agricultural producers. The delta smelt, a fish that's an indicator species for the region's overall health, is fast sliding toward extinction, thanks to massive water diversions and other management plans that have degraded water quality. Critics charge that CalFed, the agency created in 1994 to restore the delta's environment while ensuring water supply, has moved too slowly to stop the ecosystem's decline. "I believe that CalFed has failed, and died, but that no one directly involved is willing to admit it," water expert Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute wrote in a letter to a state commission examining the program. But CalFed defenders say they're making progress and point to a few successes, including improved salmon-spawning habitat. As the president might say: CalFedding is hard work.

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China's benzene spill flows toward Siberian tiger territory in Russia

China's latest claim to international infamy -- a Songhua River-borne, 100-ton, 90-odd-mile-long benzene spill -- is expected to reach the Russian city of Khabarovsk, on the Amur River, next week. Conservationists in the region worry that the toxic slick will further imperil the extremely endangered Siberian tiger, which eats birds that feed on fish from the already-polluted Amur. In China, the government has vowed severe punishment for anyone who tried to cover up the spill, which originated with an explosion at a Jilin chemical plant on Nov. 13 but was not formally confirmed until 10 days later. The director of China's environmental protection agency has resigned, the head of the chemical firm and other company managers have been fired, and Jilin vice mayor Wang Wei has apparently hanged himself -- in the spill's immediate aftermath, he said publicly that it would not cause widespread pollution.

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Sprawl is dirtying streams and posing threat to U.S. drinking water

Storm-water runoff threatens nearly every urban and suburban stream in the U.S., with serious implications for the country's drinking water. Used to be rain fell largely onto meadows, forests, and fields, where it was absorbed by plants or filtered into the underground water table, eventually percolating up to replenish streams. It was a fab system for everything involved: wee stream critters, bank-side plants, and people craving potable water. But today, rain encounters ever-growing expanses of roof and pavement, courses through gutters and conduits, and heads toward streams with erosive speed, washing away plants and animals and depositing loads of trash and pollutants. Without nature's slow filtering, dirtier streams are flowing into the rivers that supply many with drinking water, increasing the costs of water treatment. Activists, scientists, and officials nationwide are turning to stream restoration and low-impact development plans like green roofs in an effort to improve stream health.

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Millions of gallons of liquid cow manure flow into N.Y. river

At some point last week -- nobody's quite sure when -- one wall of an earthen reservoir on one of New York state's biggest dairy farms collapsed, releasing some 3 million gallons of liquid cow manure into the Black River. "That stinks," noted observant 15-year-old New Yorker Dustan Wisner. But the stink is the least of the problems: The river is now clogged with bloated, dead fish. "It's the biggest fish kill I've ever seen," said regional fisheries manager Frank Flack. "Before it's all done, it could end up to be millions of fish." That's bad news for a region dependent on tourism and a river beloved by recreational anglers. The Adirondack community of Watertown hasn't canceled its upcoming national kayak championship (uh, dudes?), but they have cut off intake of drinking water from the river. The manager of poopy polluter Marks Farm had only this to say: "I'm too busy cleaning up the mess to talk now."

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‘Copenhagen Diagnosis’ offers a grim update to the IPCC’s climate science

Montana and mining companies to fund massive river cleanup, restoration

An historic financial settlement between the state of Montana and two mining firms has opened the door to a project of ecological scope virtually unprecedented in the U.S.: the removal of Montana's Milltown dam, located at the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers, and the restoration of those rivers to their natural, free-flowing states. The $100 million deal resulted from three years of closed-door negotiations; the consent decree will now be available for public comment. Work could begin this fall and be completed by late 2009. Tons of contaminated mud, a toxic legacy of the region's mining industry, will need to be dredged from behind the dam, which is located in the center of one of the nation's largest Superfund sites. Pressure from the public was key to getting all the parties to negotiate and create a big-picture solution, said local rivers advocate Tracy Stone-Manning.

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Cities start getting creative in cleaning up runoff

Catalyzed by legal action from enviro groups, the U.S. EPA has started cracking down on an oft-overlooked cause of befouled waterways: polluted runoff. On its journey through urban and suburban streets, rainwater picks up and carries motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, and other nasties, eventually dumping them in major bodies of water. In the Washington, D.C., area, with the fate of Chesapeake Bay in the balance, local governments have been encouraging -- and often requiring -- creative approaches to the runoff problem. In Gainesville, Va., a new luxury neighborhood will feature narrower streets, shorter driveways, sunken gardens filled with thirsty plants, and rock-and-shrubbery-filled ditches in place of standard gutters, all to cut down on, soak up, and filter contaminated water before it can reach waterways. In D.C., hundreds of buildings have installed massive subterranean sand vaults to filter their rainwater, and other nearby cities have been experimenting with green roofs and porous parking lots built atop filtering sand. Mind your runoff, folks.

Related Links:

Obama headed to Copenhagen, sets the bar for success

Obama going to Copenhagen

‘Copenhagen Diagnosis’ offers a grim update to the IPCC’s climate science