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.

The North Country continues to be the focus of intense national political interest as the race for the NY-23rd congressional seat, vacated by Congressman McHugh when he was tapped to become Secretary of the Army, heads to the finish line. The three way race, amongst Republican Dede Scozzafava, Democrat Bill Owens, and Conservative Doug Hoffman, will be decided on Election Day, next Tuesday, November 3. (You can watch the only debate among all three candidates again this Sunday at 7 p.m. on Syracuse’s Newschannel 9 and Watertown’s WWTI.)

Today, North Country Public Radio profiled the lack of discussion during this campaign about regional environmental issues. As Save The River’ s Executive Director notes in the story, the next person elected to fill this seat will have a direct say in issue critical to the St. Lawrence River – from invasive species to funding for restoration programs. To help our members wade through the tons of news coverage on the race, we’ve pulled together statements we’ve seen from the three candidates on River-specific issues. If we’ve missed something, let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

Watertown Daily Times

The Watertown Daily Times got the discussion going  a few weeks ago with an editorial highlighting questions they felt the candidates should answer, which included issues such as Seaway expansion, winter navigation and invasive species. The Times profiled Mr. Hoffman’s responses here, and Mr. Owens and Mrs. Scozzafava’s responses here . The Times also posted full, written responses from Mr. Owens and Mrs. Scozzafava. We haven’t found detailed responses from Mr. Hoffman on the Times website, but if its posted and we missed it, let us know. (Thanks to Jude Seymour for posting!)

The questions posed by the Times are wide ranging and touch on everything from Seaway issues to acid rain to wind power. We’ve listed just the River related questions below. Please note that these questions were asked by the Times, not by Save The River.

■ How do you feel about federal attempts to widen and deepen the St. Lawrence Seaway to accommodate larger oceangoing ships?

Dede Scozzafava: I will oppose efforts to widen and deepen the Saint Lawrence Seaway to accommodate oceangoing ships. As demonstrated by past events, this type of project will bring unavoidable environmental consequences to our North Country communities, while others will reap the long-term economic benefits further down the Great Lakes system. Our fishers and boaters will be the long-term losers from such a project. That being said, we must continue to conduct much needed maintenance and ensure that all maintenance efforts be carried out in an environmentally sound way.

Bill Owens: The St. Lawrence Seaway is critical to our local economy and has a significant impact on our day to day lives here in the North Country. Federal officials need to work closely with local officials when it comes to the Seaway so that we’re not infringing on property rights or environmental protections when it comes to the Seaway. Whether we’re addressing winter navigation proposals, considering widening and deepening the Seaway, or dealing with invasive species that are hurting local industry as well as the environment, I will address these and other issues by gathering input from local officials so that whatever federal action is taken has the best interests of Upstate New York in mind at all times.

■ Do you support winter navigation in the Seaway?

DS: I do not support operating the Seaway for 12 months a year.

BO: See above.

■ How would you help protect the waterway from encroachment of invasive species?

DS: The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation has taken an important first step by requiring all ocean-going vessels to flush their ballast water before entering the Seaway System. However, more needs to be done. I will support new requirements, coupled with tax incentives that spur innovation, to advance new technology to reach no ballast on-board standards from large ocean going ships. In the state assembly, I’ve been supportive of efforts addressing various invasive species and their impact on our waterways.

BO: See above.

■ Would you approve of plans to transform the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. into a federal power-marketing entity, as proposed by Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio?

DS: No, I do not approve of plans to transform the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), as proposed by Rep. Marcy Kaptur. First, this proposal will drastically change and redefine the mandate of the SLSDC. The hardworking employees of the SLSDC are valued residents of Massena. This plan will shift their core mission away from the North Country. Now is not the time to enact policies that will likely shift jobs outside of our region. Secondly, Rep. Kaptur has made comments indicating that this new entity could be used as a mechanism to expand the physical footprint of the Seaway, which I do not support.

BO: No answer given.

■ Water Levels:

DS: If elected, I will be the only Member of Congress representing the American portion of the St. Lawrence River, as well as a majority of Lake Ontario’s shoreline. Therefore, I will strongly urge the International Joint Commission to select Plan B+ as the appropriate water level management plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. For nearly 50 years, the Moses-Saunders hydro-dam has greatly changed the region’s natural ecosystem, and Plan B+ would allow the Lake and River to return to a state experienced before the dam was constructed while also extending our summer boating season.

BO: No answer given.

North Country Public Radio

Two of the candidates, Mrs. Scozzafava and Mr. Owens, participated in a debate hosted by North Country Public Radio earlier this week, which included a specific question about Seaway expansion. The question is included in a ‘highlights’ reel pulled together by NCPR staff. The full debate is also available.

WSYR Channel 9 Debate

We haven’t had a chance to watch the WSYR debate, which was the only debate that included all three candidates. (And we can’t find it on the WSYR website.) But, the Associated Press report on the debate notes that the candidates did answer questions about the St. Lawrence River water levels issue:

“Scozzafava advocated for the U.S.-Canadian International Joint Commission to adopt Plan B+, a regulation plan that promised a greater range of water levels along Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River throughout the year.

Owens said he heard people talking about B+, but reserved support on the plan until after he talked to local officials.

Hoffman said of the water levels: “That issue I’m not familiar with,” but said voters were more concerned with other issues, such as taxes.” (Associated Press, 10/30/09)

According to the article, the debate will be re-aired  at 7 p.m. Sunday on both Newschannel 9 and WWTI.

Save The River’s 21st Annual Winter Weekend will be held Friday, February 5th and Saturday, February 6th at the Clayton Opera House.  This annual event brings together scientists, policy makers and community members to discuss the most pressing River issues. Save The River staff are busy pulling together a great agenda focusing on issues such as water levels and the latest news on restoration programs along the River.

Please check back regularly for updates on the conference agenda and announcement of this year’s keynote speaker.

As North Country residents know, our region is the focus of intense national political interest as the race for the NY-23rd congressional seat, vacated by Congressman McHugh when he was tapped to become Secretary of the Army, heats up. Today, the Watertown Daily Times ran an article reporting on the candidate’s positions on Seaway issues, among other North Country concerns.

Visit the Watertown Daily Times website to read the article: Candidates answer questions about north country issues

Update: It looks as though the Watertown Daily Times has published the candidates’ detailed responses on the paper’s All Politics is Local blog.

Special Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection, Kit Kennedy, will be in the North Country at Clarkson University on Tuesday, October 27 talking about “The Legal Fight Against Global Warming and other elements of the Attorney General’s Environmental Agenda”.

The presentation begins at 7 p.m. at Clarkson University’s Cheel Campus Center. The event is open to the public and includes a Q&A session. See below for a flyer from the Attorney General’s office for more details and contact numbers for more information.

WWF-Canada today released a new report titled Rivers at Risk, which examines the health of 10 major Canadian rivers including the St. Lawrence.

The report finds the St. Lawrence River as currently in poor health and forecasts the River’s health as declining in the future. The main factor for the gloomy outlook: flow regulation and fragmentation on the River. The report notes that “given the poor status of the St. Lawrence and the declining forecast, restoration of environmental flows is a top priority.” Overall, WWF-Canada finds that the restoration of natural flows on rivers throughout Canada is a critical part of protecting the nation’s freshwater resources.

Save The River Endorses Report Findings, Expresses Frustration at Lack of Progress on Issue

In response to the release of WWF-Canada’s report, Save The River issued a statement endorsing the report’s findings and calling on the governments of the U.S. and Canada to cut through the bureaucracy and take swift action to protect the St. Lawrence River by adopting and implementing a water levels plan that returns the River to more natural flows.

Efforts to Set New Water Levels Plan Stalled

Just over a year ago, the International Joint Commission (IJC) proposed a one year process to do exactly what is recommended in this report – adopt a water levels regulation plan for the St. Lawrence River that returns the River to more natural flows. (Read last year’s letter from IJC Chairwoman Irene Brooks to the U.S. Secretary of State.) Unfortunately, more than a year later, the process has yet to get off the ground.  No meetings toward this important goal have been held. No public reports on next steps have been issued. No agreements between the governments of the U.S. and Canada have been reached to implement such a plan.

It is worth noting that this is the second major report of its kind in the last year and a half. In 2008, American Rivers, a U.S.-based river advocacy group, listed the St. Lawrence River on its annual Most Endangered Rivers list. The reason for the listing: an unnatural water levels and flow regime. The solution proposed: more natural regulation. We can’t help but wonder how many more national reports must be issued before the governments finally take action to protect this bi-national resource.

Time for Action

After more than 10 years of study and debate, we have a crystal clear solution that will, in one fell swoop, improve the health of the St. Lawrence and protect the River as it faces future threats such as climate change. As the IJC noted last year, both science and public opinion agree on this issue. Unfortunately, progress towards this goal has stopped within clear sight of the finish line. People who care about the St. Lawrence River must take this opportunity to call upon policymakers in Washington and Ottawa, as well as New York, Ontario and Quebec, and demand immediate action on this incredibly important issue. The health of the St. Lawrence and River communities on both sides of the border depends upon it.

To Learn More

Learn more about the impact of fifty years of unnatural flows on the St. Lawrence and solutions that will return the River to more natural flows.

Learn more about WWF-Canada’s Rivers at Risk report.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 (Clayton, NY) – Today, WWF-Canada released a new report titled Rivers at Risk, which examines the health of 10 major Canadian rivers. The report finds the St. Lawrence River as currently in poor health and forecasts the River’s health as declining in the future. The main factor for the gloomy outlook: flow regulation and fragmentation on the River. The report notes that “given the poor status of the St. Lawrence and the declining forecast, restoration of environmental flows is a top priority.”

Just over a year ago, the International Joint Commission (IJC) proposed a one year process to do exactly what is recommended in this report – adopt a water levels regulation plan for the St. Lawrence River that returns the River to more natural flows. Unfortunately, more than a year later, the process has yet to get off the ground. No meetings toward this important goal have been held. No public reports on next steps have been issued. No agreements between the governments of the U.S. and Canada have been reached to implement such a plan.

Save The River wholeheartedly endorses this new report and its recommendations, and calls on the governments of the U.S. and Canada to cut through the bureaucracy and take swift action to protect the St. Lawrence River by adopting and implementing a water levels plan that returns the River to more natural flows.

It is worth noting that this is the second major report of its kind in the last year and a half. In 2008, American Rivers, a U.S.-based river advocacy group, listed the St. Lawrence River on its annual Most Endangered Rivers list. The reason for the listing: an unnatural water levels and flow regime. The solution proposed: more natural regulation. We can’t help but wonder how many more national reports must be issued before the governments finally take action to protect this bi-national resource.

After more than 10 years of study and debate, we have a crystal clear solution that will, in one fell swoop, improve the health of the St. Lawrence and protect the River as it faces future threats such as climate change. As the IJC noted last year, both science and public opinion agree on this issue. Unfortunately, progress towards this goal has stopped within clear sight of the finish line. People who care about the St. Lawrence River must take this opportunity to call upon policymakers in Washington and Ottawa, as well as New York, Ontario and Quebec, and demand immediate action on this incredibly important issue. The health of the St. Lawrence and River communities on both sides of the border depends upon it.

###

For more on WWF-Canada’s Rivers at Risk report and the water levels issue, visit www.savetheriver.org or www.wwf.ca/rivers

For media inquiries, contact Jennifer J. Caddick, Save The River Executive Director & Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper at (315) 686-2010 or jennifer@savetheriver.org

Join Great Lakes advocates from around New York State at the 4th Annual New York Healing Our Waters Conference in Buffalo on Saturday, October 24 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Join with citizens, scientists, policymakers, academics, business people, and activists to work together to achieve our common goal of clean and health Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

The 4th Annual New York State Healing Our Waters Coalition Great Lakes Conference will provide many opportunities to network with other organizations and individuals working to advance Great Lakes restoration throughout the Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and St. Lawrence River watersheds. Sessions will update participants on the exciting federal legislative initiatives moving in Washington D.C. and offer in-depth science and policy breakout sessions on:

• Implementing the Great Lakes Compact in New York;

• Improving near shore water quality;

• Preventing and controlling aquatic invasive species;

• NYS water conservation opportunities for the Great Lakes; and

• Implementing ecosystem-based management for NY’s Great Lakes

Please join us this year in Buffalo on Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Interested in attending?

The one-day conference is free. However, interested attendees are asked to pre-register. Save The River staff will  be attending the conference so let us know you’re attending as well by e-mailing jennifer@savetheriver.org Looking forward to seeing you in Buffalo!

New York State has just taken a important step forward in protecting regional air and water quality by implementing a statewide burn ban, which takes effect October 14. (Read coverage in the Watertown Daily Times: Statewide burn ban takes effect Oct. 14)

The new rule is aimed at stopping backyard household trash burning, a practice that releases dangerous compounds including dioxins and carcinogens into the air and water. Many communities have already banned backyard ‘burn barrels’ but this is the first statewide ban and an important step in protecting our natural resources and community health.

Learn More

Learn more about the new regulation by visiting the NY Department of Environmental Conservation’s Frequently Asked Question page.

Learn more about the environmental and health impacts of burning trash.

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.