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BrochureBackground"Today we are going to rededicate our country to restoring our river heritage, and to reaffirm one of our oldest values, the importance of safeguarding our national treasures for all generations to come." - President Clinton Throughout our nation, rivers and streams flow over more than three million miles: like threads, they tie communities together and play an integral part in our geography. But the picture has not always been perfect. Over the years, some of our greatest American cities faced serious challenges--traditional manufacturing jobs moved elsewhere; local companies were sold or laid off workers; polluted rivers wound through these cities, and abandoned factories lined their banks. In rural areas, valuable farmland was converted to more intensive uses; young men and women left their hometowns behind in search of jobs; cultural treasures suffered neglect; and river banks often served as dumping grounds. Yet, in several places, caring citizens came together and designed long term goals and innovative solutions to clean up their rivers, rejuvenate the areas that surrounded them, and stimulate economic growth. The partnerships they formed are hailed as models of how an active public, local businesses, and government agencies can make dramatic improvements. The American Heritage Rivers Initiative is founded upon the belief that people and nature can exist in productive harmony. It embodies the vision of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to meet the social and economic needs of Americans, today and in the future. Consider your community. With resources from state, tribal, and local governments and the community, American Heritage Rivers could help you achieve goals like these:
American Heritage Rivers Initiative"Our waterways connect our cities together ... rivers are not only the arteries of commerce, they carry the lifeblood of the American story." Vice President Gore In his 1997 State of the Union Address, President Clinton announced the American Heritage Rivers initiative to help communities revitalize their rivers and the banks along them--the streets, the historic buildings, the natural habitats, the parks--to help celebrate their history and their heritage. In early 1998, the President will select ten American Heritage Rivers. According to the needs they identify, communities along these rivers will receive special assistance. American Heritage Rivers is an umbrella initiative designed to more effectively use the federal government's many resources. Environmental, economic, and social concerns will be addressed through a plan that is designed and driven by the local community. The initiative creates no new regulatory requirements for private property owners, or for state, tribal, or local governments. Participation in the nomination process is voluntary; a community can decide to withdraw at any time.Focused Support for American Heritage Rivers There are three objectives of American Heritage Rivers:
Tracking down relevant information and expertise can be complicated and time consuming. American Heritage Rivers Services coordinates and streamlines information on those programs relevant to life on our country's rivers. Now, instead of making scores of phone calls, you can visit American Heritage Rivers Services, an easy-to-use World Wide Web site. Those who do not have Internet access can call 1-888-40RIVER to request information. Visitors to American Heritage Rivers Services may choose from categories such as:
Each entry describes the services and provides contacts for further information, including Internet links (where possible). Using familiar prompts, such as a river or city name, users can locate information on flood events, population change, road networks, the condition of the water resources, and the partnerships already at work in their area. They can make customized maps and download them, find information on relevant educational programs, link their own information, or enter into a dialogue with others.Special Benefits for Qualified Applicants In recognition of the substantial effort undertaken by those communities who complete and submit the American Heritage Rivers nomination packet, qualified applicants will receive:
Additional Considerations for Designating American Heritage RiversApplications will be judged by a diverse group of experts. After evaluating individual nominations, the following considerations will be taken into account by panel members when making their recommendations to the President:
For more information on American Heritage Rivers, see the web site at http://www.epa.gov/rivers/ or call 1-888-40RIVER. A Federal Register Notice, published on September 17, 1997, provides more details on the nomination process. How Do Communities Nominate A River?The nomination process begins with the local community. People representing every interest who live and work in the area being nominated should be part of the process. After meeting to share information, identify common goals for their river, and devise strategies to achieve those goals, they should ask one of their members to submit a nomination on their behalf.The nomination packet must include a completed American Heritage Rivers Cover Sheet and responses to items 1 to 4, listed below. Responses to items 3 and 4 constitute the primary basis for evaluating nominations. For more specifics on format and methods to submit a nomination, please refer to the cover sheet found on the enclosed insert.
At a minimum, the plan of action should address: Demonstrate that a range of citizens and organizations support the nomination and plan of action. Provide evidence that all members of the community have had an opportunity to comment on and discuss the nomination and plan of action. Supporters should reflect the diversity of the community. As appropriate, they should include farmers, ranchers, landowners, businesses and industries, educational and arts organizations, youth groups, community leaders, developers and community development organizations, historical societies, environmental groups and other nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and state, tribal, and local governments. Those who rely on the resources but live outside the area should also be included in discussions about the plan of action, but may not submit a nomination. Describe the nature and scope of the supporters' roles. Demonstrate that they come from all affected jurisdictions. As appropriate, describe how past and continuing partnerships or agreements support the nomination proposal. If relevant, describe partnerships or agreements that were forged and commitments that were made specifically to support the American Heritage Rivers nomination proposal. Letters of endorsement and support are highly recommended, especially those from elected officials and appropriate state, tribal, and local governments. Letters from federal agencies will not be accepted. br> br>
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