Wellesley Island, NY (August 12, 2010) – Save The River today will honor two volunteers with the Volunteer of the Year Award at the organization’s annual volunteer picnic. The award is given to volunteers who have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty in their volunteer efforts and whose volunteer assistance has moved Save The River’s efforts to protect the St. Lawrence River forward in a significant way. The picnic and award presentation will be held from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority’s ‘Rift Camp’ on Wellesley Island.

Last year, Save The River’s nearly 300 volunteers provided more than 3,200 hours of service – the equivalent of nearly 400 eight-hour days – in support of Save The River’s advocacy, education and research programs. Volunteers assist with a variety of projects, from monitoring River health to stuffing envelopes and providing expertise on River policy issues.

“The time and expertise, often combined with hands-on labor, that volunteers provide is critical to the strength of Save The River’s efforts to protect the St. Lawrence River. Volunteers magnify the capacity of our small staff and our River protection programs,” stated Save The River’s Executive Director Jennifer Caddick. “We are thrilled to recognize this year’s recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Awards for their dedication and commitment to Save The River. We are a stronger organization thanks to their efforts.”

Jim McGarry, Oak Point and Ithaca, NY – Although a relatively new volunteer, Jim jumped in with both feet two years ago and has become a leader in the Common Tern restoration program. The program is a partnership working to restore the population and habitat of Common Terns, a threatened bird species once abundant on the River. After reading everything the Cornell Ornithology lab had on Common Terns, Jim got to work developing innovative methods to reduce predation while increasing the amount of suitable habitat for the birds. In addition to braving fierce adult Common Terns while monitoring nests and counting eggs and chicks on a weekly basis, Jim has also been key in efforts to band additional birds and develop better reporting methods for volunteer monitors. Jim’s efforts have directly led to an increase in breeding success at two historic nesting sites, providing a significant boost to the Common Tern population on the River.

Jay Nash, Clayton and Ludlow, VT – Seven years ago, long-time supporter Jay Nash approached Save The River with an idea – bring the best independent singer-songwriters to Clayton for a night of music to benefit Save The River. Today, the event, Rock for the River, has grown into Save The River’s largest annual fundraiser. Over the past seven years, the event has raised more than $40,000 for Save The River’s programs. Additionally, much of Jay’s music has been influenced by the River and it seems that he’s always sporting a Save The River tee at shows around the U.S. and Europe, which has been so important in spreading the word throughout the U.S. and Europe about the importance of protecting the St. Lawrence River.

For more information on Save The River’s volunteer programs, visit www.savetheriver.org and click on ‘Get Involved’.

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For more information, contact:

Jennifer Caddick, Save The River Executive Director

E-mail: jennifer@savetheriver.org / Phone: (315) 686-2010 / Cell: (315) 767-2802

Save The River’s annual membership meeting will be held Saturday, August 14 at 9 a.m. at the Save The River office in Clayton.

Current members of Save The River will have the opportunity to vote for the Directors of Save The River, receive a report on the organization’s finances, and consider any additional matter that may come before the meeting. Seven Directors have been nominated to serve another three-year term. All are current Directors of Save The River. They are:

Dan Churchill Dan has been a summer resident of Grindstone Island since the age of 2 and has been a Board Member for 6 years. He is part-owner of a printing company and has worked for several telecommunication companies. Dan was an Administrative Assistant and Press Secretary to Mayor Neil Goldschmidt of Portland, Oregon for a number of years and was on the staff of Allard Lowenstein’s campaigns for U.S. Congress on Long Island and Brooklyn, NY.

John Farrell John has been a long-time Save The River Board Member. He is a graduate professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse and Director of the Thousand Islands Biological Station on Governor’s Island. John has devoted his professional career to studying St. Lawrence River aquatic ecology.

Bill Grater Bill, a long-time Save The River board member, has family ties to the Morristown and Chippewa Bay areas of the St. Lawrence River that date to the early to mid-nineteenth century. In 1992 Bill and his wife, Diana, moved their young family and architecture business from Washington, DC to Clayton. For the past eighteen years, Bill has been occupied with the design of houses and other structures on the River focusing his efforts on careful planning and site design so as to preserve natural attributes and protect water resources.

Rick Gregware Rick has been involved with Save The River since it’s infancy becoming a board member in 1981. He began a career in marine repair in 1969 working at H. Chalk & Sons where he was involved in keeping oil spill equipment running during the 1976 oil spill. He currently owns and runs Northern Marine and is a summer resident of Grindstone Island with his wife Janet and three children.

Teddy McNally Teddy is a long-time Board member and River resident on Wellesley Island. Teddy was previously Secretary of the Board of Directors and Vice President of Corporate Relations for Rand McNally. He is currently active in many local organizations including The Antique Boat Museum and Thousand Islands Safe Boating Association.

Tricia Tague Tricia served on the Board for many years, stepped off for several years and returned as an active Board member three years ago. She is very active in many community organizations and recently served as interim director of the Samaritan Foundation and is currently the President of the Alexandria Bay Historical Society. She lives on Wellesley Island with her husband, Rick, and two children.

Clif Schneider Clif is a resident of Cape Vincent, NY, and has been on the Save The River Board for three years. He is retired from the NY Department of Environmental Conservation with 34 years of experience working on Great Lakes issues at the Cape Vincent Fisheries Station. After retiring, Clif remained active in local, county and Great Lakes projects working with groups such as the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Samaritan Medical Center, Points North Housing Coalition and Town of Cape Vincent.

Save The River’s Common Tern Monitoring Program draws to a close for another season. It was a successful year of habitat restoration on our sites and our volunteers did an excellent job conducting their annual monitoring on all seven of our nesting sites.

In preparation for the closing of the season Save The River and the Thousand Islands Land Trust are gearing up to remove the exclusion grids that are installed annually on the Eagle Wing Shoals and Tidd Island.

The exclusion grid is a cross hatching of poly wire that is strung across the surface of the shoal. The lines are placed far enough apart to allow for terns to land on the shoal but close enough together to prevent other birds such as gulls from landing. This keeps the terns safe from predation by gulls and allows them to successfully nest, raising their young and adding to this New York State Threatened population.

Grid removal will be on Tuesday, August 10th starting at 9 a.m. Interested volunteers should call Save The River, 315-686-2010 to let us know you are coming. Volunteers will be leaving from the Thousand Islands Land Trust office at 9 a.m. that morning.

Volunteers assist this past spring with a clearing of Tidd Island in preparation for the coming nesting season. Photo by Bill Munro.

Mark your calendars!

Save The River will be hosting our annual Volunteer Appreciation event on Thursday, August 12th from 5-7 p.m. at the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Rift Camp.

All Save The River volunteers are invited to join us for dinner and drinks as we thank and celebrate over 200 volunteers that make all of our programming happen, from marking shoals to monitoring angry terns to patrolng the River as Riverkeeper Volunteers. We will also be honoring our Volunteer of the Year Award recipients.

Stay tuned for your mailed invitation and more event details. We hope to see you there!

Want your community to learn how to save the river?

This summer Save The River will be offering free training sessions for groups with 10 or more attendees. Save The River will send someone to your location to train your group and outfit them with all they need to assess River health. Groups can include Island Associations, Rotary Clubs or Yacht Clubs.

By becoming a Riverkeeper Volunteer you and your community members will identify signs of River health. In addition you will also learn how to identify and report pollution issues. Your community will become stewards of the River, patrolling it and keeping it safe.

Joining the Network

Once you have completed the training, you and your group will be a member of our extensive network of volunteers stretching from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg. Volunteers share reports with this network connecting volunteers up and down River, sharing successes and new issues throughout the summer. As a part of this network you will be kept abreast of the latest River issues.

How do I get my group signed up?

It’s easy! All you have to do is call Save The River, 315-686-2010. Let us know how may attendees you have and a possible date for training. We’ll take it from there and schedule your group training session.

Need to learn more?

Check out our Riverkeeper Monitoring page to learn more about this program.

Want to do more to save the River, but not sure what to do?

Become a Riverkeeper Monitoring Program volunteer. Volunteers will be trained to assess River health, learning the basics for identifying and reporting issues of concern.

How do I become a volunteer?

To become a volunteer all you have to do is attend one of our hour long training sessions. We’ll outfit you with everything you need to assess River health including a Riverkeeper Identification Guidebook and free volunteer t-shirt.

When are the training sessions?

This summer’s training sessions are free to attend and will be held:

• Wednesday, June 16th at 5 p.m. at the Antique Boat Museum’s Education room
• Saturday, July 10th at 10 a.m. Alexandria Bay Village Community Room next to the Village offices

How do I sign-up?

To reserve your space in a training session or to schedule a time for your group to be trained please call Save The River, 315-686-2010. RSVP’s are required as class sizes are limited.

To learn more about this program visit our Riverkeeper Monitoring page.

We are headed into a critical period in the fight for a more natural water levels plan on the St. Lawrence River. We need your help to finally get a new, natural water levels regulation plan in place!

As many residents have already seen, the River is experiencing very low water this year. These conditions are – at least in part – a result of the outdated regulation plan in place, 1958DD. Although low water will be an unpleasant fact of life from time to time with any plan, under a more natural plan like B+ these events will be guided by nature, and they will be delivering important environmental benefits to the River we all love.

We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a big difference for the health of the River by implementing a natural flow plan like Plan B+ and sending the message that our River environment matters. If it matters to you, then we need your help.

Write your elected officials and the IJC asking for a new natural plan – like B+ – today!

Find contact information and sample language below. We recommend that you fax a copy of your letter before sending due to long mail delays in Washington. Please call us with any questions, and thank you for helping the River in this critical time.

SAMPLE LETTER LANGUAGE

Dear _________________:

Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River is very important to me (explain why…)

Unnatural control of water levels and flows since the 1950’s has severely degraded the coastal wetlands in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The habitats that give much of the ecosystem life have been damaged as a direct result of regulation. We need a new, natural water levels regulation plan immediately to undo the damage that has been done to the system.

I urge you to do everything possible to ensure the implementation of a new, natural water levels plan such as Plan B+, immediately.

Thank you,

[Insert your name and address]

Where should I send my letter?

We’re asking everyone to send their letters to the International Joint Commission and the following elected officials.

In the U.S.?

International Joint Commission – US Section Office:

Frank Bevacqua, Public Information Officer
International Joint Commission
2000 L Street, NW
Suite #615
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 736-9024
Fax: (202) 632-2006
Email: bevacquaf@washington.ijc.org

Members of Congress

Congressman Bill Owens (NY-23rd)
(Congressman Owens represents much of Northern New York, including all of the communities along the St. Lawrence River.)

Senator Charles Schumer (NY)

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28th)
(Congresswoman Slaughter represents much of the Rochester area and communities along Lake Ontario. If you live in Rochester or along Lake Ontario, please send her a letter too!)

In Canada?

International Joint Commission – Canadian Section Office:

Bernard Beckhoff, Public Affairs Adviser
International Joint Commission
234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6
Phone: 613-947-1420
Fax: 613-993-5583
Email: beckhoffb@ottawa.ijc.org

Thank you for speaking out on behalf of the River!

Action Alert! Tell the Coast Guard to Implement Strict Ballast Clean-Up Rules!
Comment deadline Friday, December 4

After years of inaction, the U.S. Coast Guard is poised to fix one of the most troublesome problems facing the St. Lawrence River’s fish and wildlife: aquatic invasive species. Citizen groups and individuals are invited to submit comments on this important process until Friday, December 4.

Aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and round gobies, are one of the most significant threats to the St. Lawrence River environment. More than 65% of the aquatic invasive species found in the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes have been brought in via ballast tanks of ships transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway. These invaders threaten the River ecosystem, our regional economy and our way of life. Once here, they cannot be eradicated. The only option for protecting the St. Lawrence River from further invasive species damage is to end new introductions.

Earlier this fall, the United States Coast Guard proposed a new rule that would that would require ships transiting any waters of the United States, including the St. Lawrence Seaway, to clean-up their ballast tanks. This rule could be a groundbreaking regulation and could be the strongest effort yet in the fight to stop aquatic invasive species introductions!

But the proposed rule allows polluters too much time to fix the problem. Ships could avoid compliance for another ten years unless timelines are shortened. We need to tell the Coast Guard in no uncertain terms that it needs to stop introductions of aquatic invasive species into the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes – now!

A few facts about the rule:

• The final standard for ballast water discharges is excellent, and as good as the strongest state standard on the books, such as New York and California.

• The timeline for implementing the final standard is weak. Ships could avoid complying until after 2020.

• The rules apply to ‘lakers’, vessels that operate exclusively in the Great Lakes. Although Lakers do not introduce new species, they do contribute to the problem by spreading species within the region.

• There is a clause included in the rule, (called the “feasibility review” of technology) that could endlessly delay implementation of the final standard.

It’s critical for the administration to get this right the first time so there are no further delays to getting technology installed on board ships.

Take Action!

The U.S. Coast Guard will be facing opposition from industry about this proposed rule, and therefore it’s essential that they hear from citizens who want the River protected!

Write the U.S. Coast Guard to let them know that you support the proposed discharge standard but that the timeline should be shortened.

Points to include in your letter:

• Support the proposed final standard that is equivalent to the most stringent state standards, currently 1000 times greater than the International Maritime Organization standard.

• Support the application of the rules to Lakers.

• Urge a shorter timeline, including adoption of the first phase of clean-up technologies no later than 2012 with a final deadline for the strictest standards no later than 2016.

• Urge a firm deadline for ‘feasiblity reviews’, endless delay is not acceptable.

• And, let the U.S. Coast Guard know how aquatic invasive species have impacted you and why you feel that strong standards should be in place as quickly as possible.

How to Submit Comments:

Submit comments online by Friday, December 4th.

For More Information

For more information about the impact of aquatic invasive species on the River, visit Save The River’s Clean Up the Ballast Campaign page.

And, the U.S. Coast Guard has plenty of information about the proposed rule including:

• the proposed rule and instructions for submitting written comments,

• a summary fact sheet on the rulemaking, and

• an overview of the implementation timeline.

Thank you for taking action to protect the St. Lawrence River!

Save The River’s annual winter conference attracts more than 250 attendees including Save The River members, scientists, and policymakers to discuss current River issues. The event is one of the only conferences in the region to focus solely on River issues. The weekend includes a Friday evening cocktail hour, a day-long conference on Saturday, and a Saturday evening fundraising dinner.

By becoming a sponsor of Save The River’s Winter Weekend, you can feel confident that you are investing in not only a valuable exposure package for your company, but also helping support grassroots advocacy work to protect the St. Lawrence River. In addition, Save The River is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and sponsorship donations are tax deductible.

Save The River’s 21st Winter Environmental Weekend Sponsorhip Packages include:

Winter Weekend Lead Sponsor: $2,000

Benefits for Lead Sponsors include:

□ 2 complimentary tickets to weekend events with seating at VIP table with keynote speaker for conference dinner.

□ Logo on event invitation,* event program, and on sponsor tent cards at table during the event.

□ Opportunity to provide literature to conference attendees.

□ Recognition in press releases, Save The River’s website, and Save The River’s quarterly newsletter River Watch, which reaches more than 1,200 Save The River members.

*Available only for event sponsorship confirmed by November 15, 2009.

Winter Weekend Sponsor: $1,000

Benefits for Event Sponsors include:

□ 2 complimentary tickets to weekend events.

□ Logo in event program and on sponsor tent cards at table during event.

□ Recognition in conference program, on Save The River’s website and in Save The River’s quarterly newsletter River Watch, which reaches more than 1,200 Save The River members.

Winter Weekend Supporter: $500

Benefits for Supporting Sponsors include:

□ 2 complimentary tickets to weekend events

□ Name listed in conference program, on tent cards at tables during event, Save The River website, and Save The River’s quarterly newsletter River Watch.

For more information or to sign-on as a Winter Weekend event sponsor, contact Jennifer Caddick at (315) 686-2010.

Action Needed Now: Speak at a Chicago Public Meeting on Invasive Species in Ballast Water Friday October 2nd!

The United States Coast Guard recently proposed a new rule that would limit the number of invasive species that cargo vessels are allowed to discharge into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. This could be a groundbreaking regulation that the lakes have been waiting on for over a decade.

But the proposed rule isn’t strong enough to protect the River and Lakes as quickly as needed. We need to tell the Coast Guard in no uncertain terms that it needs to stop introductions of aquatic invasive species into the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes – now!

A few facts about the rule:

• The final standard for ballast water discharges is excellent, and as good as the strongest state standard on the books (California’s).
• The timeline for implementing the final standard is weak. Ships could avoid complying until after 2020.
• There is a “feasibility review” of technology that could endlessly delay implementation of the final standard.
• It’s critical for the administration to get this right the first time so there are no further delays to getting technology installed on board ships.

You can let the Coast Guard know what you think about stopping the tide of invaders into the Great Lakes this Friday, October 2nd from 9 AM – 4 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Chicago at 10 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; phone: 312-595-0000. We recommend arriving early as the meeting could conclude after “all matters of discussion have been addressed,” according to the Coast Guard.

Download the proposed rule and instructions for submitting written comments here

Download the draft programmatic environmental impact statement here.

Download a summary fact sheet on the rulemaking.

Download an overview of the implementation timeline.

And, for more information about the impact of aquatic invasive species on the River, visit Save The River’s Clean Up the Ballast Campaign page.

If you need more information or help preparing comments for the hearing, call Jennifer Caddick at Save The River for more information (315) 686-2010 or jennifer@savetheriver.org.

Let Us Know How it Goes!

We’d love to hear back from anyone who attends the hearing! Give us a call at (315) 686-2010 or e-mail us at striver@savetheriver.org to let us know what you heard.