If passed, both the “Hydropower Regulatory Modernization Act” in the House and “Hydropower Improvement Act” in the Senate (S. 1236) would limit the ability of local communities and state and federal agencies to revive rivers impacted by hydropower. The hydropower industry claims that these bills are about improving regulatory efficiency and promoting “clean, green” energy. In reality they are seeking an industry-wide exemption from the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other basic requirements for providing fish passage and protecting public lands. 

 

American Whitewater and our partners work closely with state and federal agencies to restore flows for recreation and river health. Our ability to revive rivers across the country will be severely compromised if these bills pass. The flows we’ve restored to the Cheoah (NC), Tallulah (GA), Deerfield (MA), Yuba/Bear (CA), Chelan (WA), Bear River (ID) (and so many more) could be a thing of the past. Rivers that still run dry will stay that way. It will be much harder for local communities to remove deadbeat dams. And it will be much, much easier for new dams to go in on your favorite runs. 

 

Take Action! 

 

Contact your Senators and Representatives to stop these bills! We encourage paddlers to share their personal experience enjoying rivers where hydropower projects provide recreational flows. We oppose any bill that would undermine the public's ability to balance hydropower interests with non-power values like recreation, fish and wildlife and we encourage you to share that perspective.

 

You can also help spread the word by writing a letter to the editor in your local paper, or sharing on social media with #NoNewDams and #hydropower.

 

Thanks for taking action! Stay tuned for more updates!