THE PLIGHT OF AN URBAN RIVER

It was in the final hours of Jimmy Carter’s presidency that the Lower American River was designated a federally protected Wild & Scenic River… and still the pressures upon the urban river are relentless and complex. Here are a few ways you can take action.

The designation of the Lower American River in Sacramento as a "Wild and Scenic River" in 1981 was among President Jimmy Carter's last acts of environmental preservation before leaving office.

By adding the Lower American River to this list of rivers protected under The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, Carter ensured that this vital waterway, stretching approximately 23 miles from Nimbus Dam to the Sacramento River, would be protected from future damming, development, or alterations that could harm its free-flowing condition, water quality, and ecological integrity.

Despite this protection, the pressures upon an urban river are relentless — driven by dollar bills, and a lack of community awareness. We have a frustrating system where the loudest and most litigious group wins in this country.

So, let's get loud.

Last month, I got to sit in on the Save the American River (SARA) annual meeting alongside a room full of people who have so much more knowledge than me about the river, its history, and the threats facing it. SARA, a grassroots non-profit organization founded in 1961, advocates for the river and it’s protection. In fact, it was SARA who lobbied the Carter administration in the first place!

I thought I'd share out the most current and critical issues in a grossly oversimplified summary. The issues are complex, so I encourage you to learn more from the people and organizations themselves.

Starting at the top of the river, here are 4 of the issues being battled by SARA.