The International Joint Commission (IJC) has recently proposed a new plan for regulating the levels and flows of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The new plan, Plan Bv7, will replace the current Plan 1958DD, which has been in place since 1960.

Incorrect information is circulating about Plan Bv7 and its goals. This page highlights several myths that have been circulating about Plan Bv7 and provides the facts.

MYTH: Plan Bv7 is a radical new approach to regulation that will bring much higher and lower lake levels.

FACT: Plan BV7 is a balanced approach that protects property owners and benefits the environment without increasing the risk of flooding to shoreline property. The plan will restore beaches, dunes, and wetlands that have been hurt by 50 years of regulation under the current plan.

Plan BV7 is not a radical change. Under the current plan lake levels fluctuate within a certain range. Plan Bv7 will only exceed this range by 2-3 inches in very rare instances (once a century).

MYTH: Plan Bv7 will cause severe damage to property on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, with much higher costs to property owners.

FACT: When compared an unregulated system, Plan Bv7 will save shoreline property owners $24 million dollars a year by reducing the cost of maintaining shoreline properties.

The current regulation and Plan Bv7 cannot stop the process of erosion. Plan Bv7, however, helps by restoring the periodic low levels that rebuild shorelines. In some areas, once sandy beaches have been replaced with rocks and cobbles. This is a result of the current plan’s elimination of naturally occurring low water conditions.

MYTH: The IJC hasn’t demonstrated that an increased range of levels is necessary or natural in the Great Lakes.

FACT: This is false. Regulation has eliminated the natural cycles in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River causing serious damage to our wetlands and coastal habitats. At least 15 studies, by 6 different groups, have been conducted in North American lake systems and have been supported by scientific studies conducted around the globe. These studies show that stabilized water levels hurt the environment. For example, plant species like cattails quickly establish dense mats where few other plant species can grow. Cattail mats expand and crowd out native wetland communities like meadow marsh. With fluctuating water levels, conditions do not favor a particular species most of the time; therefore, a greater diversity of plants and animals results.

MYTH: Plan Bv7 was developed to protect only muskrats and not property owners.

FACT: Plan BV7 simultaneously protects property owners and benefits the environment and economy. The IJC uses muskrats to measure the health of our coastal wetland ecosystems. Muskrats are a ‘keystone’ species – a species that plays a role in an ecosystem similar to the role of a keystone in an arch. An arch will collapse without its keystone. Healthy muskrat populations represent stronger ecosystem.

Plan Bv7 will restore more natural fluctuations to Lake Ontario and enable muskrats to return to the coastal marshes. This will benefit the lake and river ecosystem. This will also provide boost to the economy by increasing sporting opportunities like fishing, hunting and trapping boating and bird watching to name a few.

MYTH: Plan Bv7 was hastily put together and is based on “untested science”.

FACT: This is false. There are few plans that have been studied more extensively than Plan Bv7. The plan is based on a 5-year, $20 million study that included intensive public input and scientific consultation. More than 180 stakeholder representatives, experts, and scientists from government agencies, academia, NGO’s and industry in New York, Ontario, and Quebec worked on this plan. Their research has been published in at least four peer-reviewed scientific journals.

MYTH: The IJC promised property owners that lake levels would be kept between 243.3 and 247.3 feet, and Plan Bv7 goes back on this promise.

FACT: The IJC never made this promise and 1958DD could not meet this goal.

In its original order, the IJC stated lake levels should be kept between 243.3 and 247.3 feet “as nearly as may be” as long as historic water patterns continued. However, the amount of water entering the lake increased drastically after the regulation plan went into effect. As a result, the current regulation plan exceeded 247.3 feet at least 4 times over the past 50 years. In 1993, the lake exceeded this 247.3 feet by nearly 10 inches. In 1973, the lake exceeded it by a foot.

MYTH: A few bureaucrats cooked up Plan Bv7 in secret without consulting stakeholders.

FACT: The formulation of Plan Bv7 was public and exhaustive. The approval process is open to everyone. Since January 2012 over 27 different organizations and 30 businesses have expressed support for the approach exemplified by Plan Bv7.

Plan Bv7 was developed with extensive input from more than 180 stakeholder representatives, experts, and scientists from government agencies, academia, NGO’s and industry in New York, Ontario, and Quebec. The extensive scientific data supporting this plan can be found at the IJC’s site .

MYTH: The IJC did not evaluate the wave damage to houses, which is the main cause of damage.

FACT: Scientists used a 40-year record of wave heights and direction based on data from gages and buoys in the lake. The IJC used this information to develop a sophisticated model that evaluates the degree of storm surge that will result from each plan at different seasons of the year.

MYTH: Plan Bv7 will erode away barrier beaches and dunes.

FACT: Plan Bv7 will restore our dune systems. Dunes naturally rebuild during periods of low water. The current regulation plan does not let this happen. Plan Bv7 will.

Basically, Plan Bv7 is a version of Plan B+ which was developed to finally provide some environmental improvement, by providing levels that fluctuate a bit more than currently allowed. (Learn more about the benefits provided by Plan Bv7.)  This variability would be based on natural supplies, such as water flowing from the upper Great Lakes, rain and snowfall. But what does that mean for those of us along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario?

Plan Bv7 is not a high water plan, but most years we will see levels similar to what we have experienced in the past, with a bit more water lasting longer into the fall. On average, we might see a few more inches through September and October, instead of the quick fall draw down in late August that we have seen under the current regulation plan, Plan 1958DD.

There will, however, be years when levels will go lower than they have in the past under Plan 1958DD. It won’t be often and it will be based on natural supplies of that year. These infrequent lows are an essential component to the restoration of the River and Lake ecosystem.

The River and Lake ecosystem, including the wetlands, pike, muskie, and waterfowl, needs more natural flows that provide more natural variability, including some low water and perhaps some high water on a twenty or thirty year cycle. The low water allows a variety of wetland plants to re-establish themselves, which makes those areas more hospitable to native fish species. It is not necessary every year, or even every few years….but maybe every twenty years.

Similarly, high water allows access to spawning areas for fish species, and reduces the dominance of cattails in marshes by allowing mammals such as muskrats to access and eat them during the winter months. This is important for wetland health since it changes the composition of our wetlands back into the diverse, healthy habitat that native fish and wildlife need to survive.

Simply put…. Plan BV7 will begin to reverse the damage to caused to our River and Lake, and ensure that future generations have a chance to enjoy and inherit a world class resource.

Learn More About Plan Bv7

IJC’s Plan Bv7 Website – View detailed information about Plan Bv7 including detailed decade by decade hydrographs comparing Plan Bv7 with the past 100 years of supplies as well as economic and environmental data.

Save The River’s Water Levels issue page – Learn more information about the environmental impacts of water levels regulation and how you can get involved.

Speak Out In Support of Plan Bv7

If Plan Bv7 seems like the right plan for the River’s future, we need your help to get it implemented! Visit our ‘how to get involved‘ page to learn more about how you can speak out in support of Plan Bv7.

Q. What is Plan BV7?

A. Plan BV7 is the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) new approach to water level regulation in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The proposal, if appropriately implemented, will take steps to restore the lake and river after 60 years of environmentally damaging regulation.

Q. Why is there a need for a new plan?

A. The current plan has been alter altering the natural flow of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River for 60 years and the damage that this has caused is clear. Coastal habitats and species have suffered as coastal wetlands have been reduced. Since regulation began we have seen a steep decline in species such as the wet meadow, black tern, and northern pike.

Q. Does the plan have support?

A. The plan has international support and is backed by organizations that represent thousands of people. Just a few prominent supporters include Save the River, The Nature Conservancy and WWF-Canada. These groups represent homeowners living on the lake and river, business people, environmentalists, hunters, anglers and recreational users of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.

Q. How was Plan BV7 developed?

A. Plan BV7 has been formulated over the course of ten years with the input of more than 180 stakeholder representatives, experts, and scientists from government agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations and business representatives in New York, Ontario, and Quebec. The Plan BV7 contains input from this extensive consultation with all of these groups. More information on the plan and how it was developed is available at the IJC web site.

Q. How will BV7 help the environment?

A. Plan BV7’s balanced approach restores our coastal ecosystem and creates a healthier lake and river. It will do this by slightly relaxing current regulations to will help coastal marshes which are disappearing. This will restore vital resources and species and increase the populations of wet meadows, northern pike, black tern, muskrats and the overall health of the entire ecosystem.

Q. Will this plan cause current water levels to rise?

A. No. In fact, Plan BV7 will not let water levels exceed what is currently allowed, except in rare instances (once a century) when levels may be exceeded by 2-3 inches. Plan BV7 will carefully manage water levels and ensure those levels will not increase risk of flooding to shoreline property.

Q. How will BV7 impact the region’s economy?

A. Plan BV7 will have a positive impact on the economy. For 85 out of 100 years it will extend the recreational boating season and improve conditions for commercial shipping. It will improve hunting and angling activities which generate significant economic impact as well as reduce flooding and enhance hydropower production. In addition, a 2007 cost-benefit analysis by the Brookings Institute demonstrates that each dollar of restoration brings two dollars of benefits to the economy of the Great Lakes region.

Q. How will Plan BV7 affect shoreline property owners?

A. Plan BV7 has tangible benefits for shoreline property owners that include increased protection from flooding, rebuilt shorelines and a saving an estimated $24 million per year in shoreline maintenance.

The implementation of Plan Bv7 is by no means a ‘done deal’ and is still a long way from implementation. Your voice, speaking out for the health of the River and Lake and in support of Plan Bv7, is critical in the coming months. Read on for several ways you can get involved!

How To Get Involved

Attend a Public Information Session

The IJC has announced public information sessions for the following dates and locations:

May 15 (7:30 p.m.) – Cornwall, Ontario, OPG Visitors Centre, 2500B Second Street West

May 16 (7 p.m.) – Montreal, Quebec, Jardin Botanique de Montréal, Auditorium, 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est

May 17 (7 p.m.) – Sorel Tracy, Quebec, Auberge de la Rive, 465 chemin de la Rive

May 22 (7 p.m.) – Hamilton, Ontario, Royal Botanical Gardens, Auditorium B, 680 Plains Road West

May 23 (7 p.m.) – Belleville, Ontario, The Banquet Centre, Emerald Room, 1 Alhambra Square

May 24 (7 p.m.) – Kingston, Ontario, City Hall, Memorial Hall, 216 Ontario Street

May 29 (7 p.m.) – Massena, NY, Louisville Volunteer Fire Department, 14818 State Highway 37

May 30 (7 p.m.) – Clayton, NY, Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Drive

May 31 (7 p.m.) – Oswego, NY, Campus Center Auditorium, SUNY Oswego, 7060 Route 104

June 5 (7 p.m.) – Olcott, NY, Olcott Fire Company, 1691 Lockport-Olcott Road

June 6 (7 p.m.) – Hilton, NY, Quest Elementary School Auditorium, 225 West Avenue

June 7 (7 p.m.) – Williamson, NY, Williamson High School Auditorium, 5891 Route 21

Can’t attend an information session? Write to the IJC

The IJC is also accepting written comments on Plan Bv7 via their website through June 15.

Full details about the IJC’s public consultation process can be found here

Learn More about Plan Bv7

For more information about the plan, visit the IJC’s website or Save The River’s website

BUSINESSES IN RIVER COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT NEW APPROACH TO
WATER LEVEL REGULATION

Business Community Joins Environmental Groups Calling for Speedy Approval of Plan Bv7.
Additional Environmental, Conservation and Sportsmen Organizations Offer Support.

A growing group of 18 business and business-related groups in the river community today joined environmental organizations by sending a letter to the International Joint Commission (IJC) urging the adoption of Plan Bv7. Plan Bv7 is a new proposed approach to water level regulation in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The plan would move towards more natural flows in the lake and the river which will benefit the environment and provide economic benefits to the region.

The latest letter is a strong show of support from business interests who recognize that this new approach to water level regulation is helpful to the economy. On March 26, 2012 an international group of 24 environmental, conservation and sportsmen organizations, led by Save The River and The Nature Conservancy, sent a letter of support for Bv7 to the IJC. The latest letter adds to a growing, diverse coalition of environmental, economic, landowner, and citizen groups that are supporting the new plan. Furthermore, the list of environmental, conservation and sportsmen organizations supporting Plan Bv7 has grown to 28.

In the letter submitted today the groups state, “Our businesses, organizations and the economy of this region depend on the health and beauty of the lake and river and their ecosystems. Moving toward more natural water flows in these bodies of water will not only improve the environment, it will also provide substantial economic and shoreline benefits.” The list of businesses supporting Plan Bv7 will grow in the coming weeks as organizations from the river community and across New York State add their names to this letter.

Jennifer Caddick, Save The River executive director, said, “Plan Bv7 is a balanced approach to regulating water levels and the letter sent to the IJC today is clear evidence of that. Momentum is growing and we are very pleased that this growing support includes businesses from our community that recognize that this new plan has real, substantial benefits for everyone.”

The letter of support was signed by:

The Clayton Guides Association (Clayton, NY); Classic Island Tours (Clayton, NY); Chalk’s Marina & Boat Sales (Fisher’s Landing, NY); Chaumont Yacht Club (Chaumont, NY); Coyote Vision (Pittsford, NY); Gamble Distributors (Carthage, NY); Garlock’s Lumber and Hardware (Alexandria Bay, NY); Martin’s Marina & Motel (Cape Vincent); Northern Marine (Clayton, NY); Paul Norton Canvas (Chaumont, NY); RJ Marine (Clayton, NY); Schermerhorn Harbor (Hammond, NY); The Ship Motel (Alexandria Bay, NY); Sign Man Charters (Clayton, NY); London and District Labour Council (London, Ontario); Uncle Sam Boat Tours (Alexandria Bay, NY); Van’s Motor Marine Inc. (Alexandria Bay, NY); and Wright’s Marine (Morristown, NY).

Four environmental, conservation and sportsmen organizations have added their names to the coalition’s March 26th letter. These groups include: Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, The International Water Levels Coalition and The Lake Plains Waterfowl Association.

Plan Bv7 was announced on January 30th and represents an innovative approach to water level regulation in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. At that time Save The River and The Nature Conservancy expressed their support for the approach contained in Plan Bv7, which will deliver environmental improvements along with substantial benefits for the regional economy and property owners.

A copy of the letter is attached. More information on Plan Bv7 is available on web sites of Save The River and The Nature Conservancy. These pages will provide continuous updates on the review and approval of Plan Bv7. Any group, business or individual interested in supporting Plan Bv7 is invited to contact either organization.

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About Save The River:

Save The River was formed in 1978 to protect and preserve the ecological integrity of the Upper St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education, and research.

About Plan Bv7:

Plan Bv7 has been formulated over the course of ten years with the input of more than 180 stakeholder representatives, experts, and scientists from government agencies, academia, NGO’s and industry in New York, Ontario, and Quebec.

GROWING COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL, CONSERVATION AND SPORTSMEN GROUPS VOICE SUPPORT FOR NEW APPROACH TO WATER LEVEL REGULATION

Organizations from the United States and Canada Sign Letter Calling
for Speedy Approval of Plan Bv7

March 27, 2012
Contact: Stephanie Weiss, Save The River, (315) 686-2010

A growing international group of 24 environmental, conservation and sportsmen organizations, led by Save The River and The Nature Conservancy today urged the speedy adoption of Plan Bv7, which is a new approach to water level regulation in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

In a letter sent to the International Joint Commission (IJC), the groups state that they are “Very encouraged by the balanced approach to regulation exemplified by Plan Bv7.” The letter goes on to say “This plan achieves the IJC’s previously-stated goal of moving toward more natural flows to benefit the environment while respecting other interests.”

Plan Bv7 was announced on January 30th and represents an innovative approach to water level regulation in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. At that time Save The River and The Nature Conservancy expressed their support for the approach contained in Plan Bv7, which will deliver environmental improvements along with substantial benefits for the regional economy and property owners. Additional organizations have reviewed the plan and have added their support for it through this letter. These 24 organizations represent environmental and conservation advocates as well as hunters and anglers in the United States and Canada.

Jennifer Caddick, Save The River executive director, said, “Support for Plan Bv7 is growing and we are very pleased that so many organizations have signed this letter calling for adoption of Plan Bv7. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system is the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem and constitutes an irreplaceable international treasure. Plan Bv7 takes the necessary steps to start reversing the damage caused by 50 years of regulation under the current plan.”

The letter of support was signed by: Alliance for the Great Lakes; APT Environment; Audubon New York; Buffalo Audubon Society; Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper; Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment; Coalition for a Nuclear Free Great Lakes; Don’t Waste Michigan; Environmental Advocates of New York; Freshwater Future; Genesee Valley Audubon Society; Great Lakes United; International Institute of Concern for Public Health; Izaac Walton League of America; National Wildlife Federation; The Nature Conservancy; New York; Lake Ontario Fisheries Coalition; Lake Ontario Trout & Salmon Association; New York State Conservation Council; Quinte Watershed Cleanup Inc.; Sierra Club; Atlantic Chapter Great Lakes Committee; Save The River – Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper; Thousand Islands Land Trust; and, Welland Riverkeepers.

Jim Howe, The Nature Conservancy’s Central and Western New York Chapter executive director, remarked, “These bodies of water are the source of drinking water and the foundation for the quality of life for millions of citizens in New York, Ontario, and Quebec. Plan Bv7 will improve these ecosystems while providing benefits to the region and the economy. The momentum in support of Plan Bv7 is building. We are excited that so many organizations feel the same way.”

In addition to supporting the plan, the coalition strongly encouraged the IJC to “engage the public in a full discussion of its merits, so that the benefits will become clear to the entire Lake Ontario -St. Lawrence River community. “

A copy of the letter is attached. More information on Plan Bv7 is available on web sites of Save The River and The Nature Conservancy. These newly created pages will provide continuous updates on the review and approval of Plan Bv7.

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About the US Groups Supporting the New Approach To Water Level Regulation:

Save The River and The Nature Conservancy represent over 17,000 homeowners living on the lake and river, business people, environmentalists, hunters, anglers and recreational users of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The groups have a combined 85 years of experience conserving and advocating for these bodies of water and the people who use them.

Save The River was formed in 1978 to protect and preserve the ecological integrity of the Upper St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education, and research.

About Plan Bv7:

Plan Bv7 has been formulated over the course of ten years with the input of more than 180 stakeholder representatives, experts, and scientists from government agencies, academia, NGO’s and industry in New York, Ontario, and Quebec.

Join Save The River Executive Director Jennifer Caddick & fellow ‘river rats’ for a casual reception in support of Save The River on April 25 in New York City!

Kick off another River summer with new and old River friends and learn the latest about Save The River’s growing advocacy, education and research programs. From leading the fight for a new water levels plan, to working with hundreds of volunteers to monitor River health, to partnering with schools to educate the next generation of River stewards, Save The River is the leading advocate working to protect the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands for generations to come.

Save The River

Wednesday, April 25
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Hors d’oeurves & Beer/Wine

Papillon Bistro & Bar
22 East 54th Street, New York, NY
www.papillonbistro.com

$50 per person
Proceeds support Save The River’s advocacy, education and research programs

Please RSVP by downloading and mailing your registration
or call Save The River at (315) 686-2010.

Many thanks to the volunteers organizing this event: Heather McNally, Jennifer Churchill and Eva Rippeteau!

Thank you for supporting Save The River!

Save The River and the Thousand Islands Land Trust are looking for volunteers to help with our annual Common Tern exclusion grid installation on Thursday, April 12^th at 9:00 am. Volunteers will meet at the Land Trust office in Clayton at 8:45 am to gather equipment and catch the boat to the project location.

Since 2003, Save The River and TILT have teamed up to install an exclusion grid on both the Eagle Wing Shoal and Tidd Island. The grid helps protect these New York State threatened species from harassment and predation from other water birds such as gulls. The grid also helps to preserve nesting habitat for this species that is constantly competing for nesting space amongst gulls and Double-Crested Cormorants.

This annual effort, along with careful monitoring of nesting birds by Save The River’s volunteers, is all part of Save The River and TILT’s joint Common Tern Monitoring Program. The program originated in the late nineties and works to monitor nesting Common Terns annually to assess the population. Additionally, volunteers participate in habitat restoration initiatives such as grid installation, placing nest boxes and chick shelters on nesting sites and adding gravel to areas to make suitable and safe nesting habitat for terns. All of these efforts have helped to increase tern populations on the St. Lawrence River.

To read more about Save The River’s Common Tern Monitoring Program visit our Terns page.

Help us help terns! To RSVP to help with the grid installation call the Save The River office, 315-686-2010 or email the Save The River Program Manager, Kate Breheny at kate@savetheriver.org.

As the Seaway opens this week for its 54th shipping season, we’ve been grappling to fully understand the long-term implications of last Friday’s release by the US Coast Guard of their final rule for regulating ship ballast discharges.

(The final Coast Guard rule can be found here. And, interested readers can learn more from the Watertown Daily Times: Environmental advocates “disappointed” with final US Coast Guard ballast rules and Associated Press: Coast Guard orders ships to cleanse ballast water to protect against foreign species invasions)

River communities know the serious impact aquatic invasive species have on the health of the St. Lawrence River and our local economy. Ship ballast discharges are the single largest source of aquatic invasive species introductions to the waters of the River and Great Lakes. Save The River and River communities have long advocated for strong ballast water clean-up rules to protect from future aquatic invasive species introductions.

As is often the case with news about federal regulations, we have good news and bad news to report on the Coast Guard’s rule. Unfortunately in this case the news is more bad than good.

The Coast Guard’s regulations contain several key disappointments.

• Weak Standard – The Coast Guard has selected to enforce the ‘IMO’ standard, which from our perspective represents the bare minimum for regulation and a standard that is not protective of the River.

• Weak Timeline – Most salties navigating the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River would have to comply with this new rule beginning in 2016, which is nearly 4 years away. (As a side note, the Coast Guard rule does not regulate ‘lakers’, ships that operate solely within the GreatLakes. Although lakers do not bring new aquatic invaders into the Lakes, they do contribute to their spread.)

• No Mechanism for Stronger Standards & Technology Development - In it’s draft, the Coast Guard had proposed a two phase approach to regulating ballast discharges, with a goal of ultimately reaching a very strong standard (commonly referred to as 1,000xIMO). This phased approach would have been critical in driving technology development for stronger ballast treatment systems. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard’s final rule eliminates the proposed second phase, removing incentive to develop even better ballast treatment systems.

While the Coast Guard does indicate in the final rule that they will consider stronger standards in the future, we are left to wonder how long it will take for them to do so and whether our River can wait.

What’s Next?

A press release from our coalition partners Great Lakes United, National Wildlife Federation, Alliance for the Great Lakes and National Resources Defense Council details of actions for moving forward in efforts to clean up ship ballast tanks. (Coast Guard Issues Ballast Water Discharge Standards: Misses Mark to Protect Nation from Invasive Species; Conservation groups look to states and Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen standards, shortening timeline, and address loopholes )

In short, two opportunities are available in the coming year:

• US EPA Regulations – The US Environmental Protection Agency has yet to issue their final ballast regulations. We will be looking to the USEPA to step up to the plate on this issue and anticipate seeing their final regulation in the coming months.

• State Action – We will be continuing to ask states, such as New York that have considered their own ballast regulations, to continue to be leaders in protecting our waterways from the threat of future aquatic invasive species introductions.

Registration is now open!  Save The River’s 10th annual River Day 5K/10K Fun Run will be held on Saturday, July 28! Each year this fun event raises several thousand dollars for our River protection programs.

The fast and flat course winds through downtown Clayton and along the waterfront.  This year, to celebrate the 10^th annual River Day we’ve added a 10K run. Once again we’re excited to welcome back Yellow Jacket Racing to provide professional timing for the race.  Runners, walkers, and jogging strollers all welcome to participate in this event for all ages and abilities.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, July 28, 2012

Times: Registration begins at Frink Park @ 7:30 a.m. Race begins promptly at 9 a.m.

Location: Registration and race start @ Frink Park, downtown Clayton

Registration: There are 2 ways to register:

1. Pre-Register on-line with Active.com – Visit www.active.com, search for Save The River, and follow instructions to register on-line. Online registration is available now and is subject to additional online registration fees.  Cost through 7/16: $20 for 5k + active.com fee, $25 for 10k + active.com fee.  Cost 7/17 through race day: $25 for 5k + active.com fee, $30 + active.com fee.

2. Pre-Register with the registration form – Download and fill out the registration form and either mail to Save The River or stop by our office with payment. Cost through 7/16: $20 for 5k, $25 for 10k.  7/17 through race day: $25 for 5k, $30 for 10k.

Awards and Swag! Race tees are guaranteed for the first 300 registrants! Awards will be given for top male and female runners and top male and female runners in each age category.

Event timed by Yellow Jacket Racing.

For full details and race course, download the race brochure.