While the Biden administration amended rules to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration recently released a new draft rule that would go further than even the Supreme Court in limiting what waters can be protected.

The Clean Water Act’s definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) is core to defining what waters are protected and which aren’t. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration’s newly proposed WOTUS rule would roll back protections for vast areas of wetlands and river tributaries. It’s estimated that close to 80% of America’s remaining wetlands would lose Clean Water Act protections. As written, the rule would leave many waterways vulnerable to pollution, degradation, and destruction, threatening water quality and community resilience across the country.

Here are our top four concerns with the new WOTUS proposal

1. The rule requires streams and wetlands to have surface water “at least during the wet season” in order to qualify for protection. But it never defines what the wet season actually is.

What this means for rivers: Wet seasons vary dramatically from region to region, and without a clear, science-based definition, many healthy and ecologically important streams risk being excluded.

2. Narrow definitions and expanded exemptions shrink the scope of protected waters.

What this means for rivers: By redefining “tributary” to include only streams with year-round or steady “wet-season” flow, and expanding exemptions for wastewater and waste-treatment systems, the new rule would eliminate protections for many intermittent streams and man-made infrastructure that function like natural streams, opening the door to more unregulated pollution. Many rivers in the Southwest only flow for part of the year. This updated definition would put many of these rivers at risk.

3. The rule suggests any artificial or natural break in flow cuts off upstream protection.

What this means for rivers: Under the proposed rule, a culvert, pipe, stormwater channel, or short dry stretch can sever jurisdiction. This means upstream waters that feed larger rivers may no longer be protected, allowing pollution to still flow into nominally protected rivers and streams.

4. The rule significantly eliminates wetland protections by requiring “wetlands” to physically touch a protected water and maintain surface water through the wet season.

What this means for rivers: The new definition excludes many wetlands, which naturally store floodwater, filter pollutants, and safeguard communities. This puts the drinking water for millions at risk and increases the risks of flooding for many communities.

The health of our rivers depends on the small streams and wetlands that feed them. By discarding science, narrowing long‑standing definitions, and creating confusing jurisdictional tests, the Trump Administration’s proposed WOTUS rule risks undoing decades of progress toward cleaner, safer water. America’s rivers—and the communities that depend on them—deserve better.

These rollbacks will put our waterways and the life that depends on them in jeopardy. The public comment period to speak up and defend clean water protections is open until January 5. Please take action today and send a letter to the EPA urging them to keep the current definition of Waters of the United States in place!

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A shutdown is not just a Washington problem. It directly threatens our river economy, undermining the clean water, healthy ecosystems, and infrastructure that local businesses and communities rely on. From commercial navigation and fishing to recreation and tourism, shutdown disruptions ripple downstream, hitting small businesses, workers, and families across the country.

Anticipated Impacts on the River Economy and Beyond

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Halts cleanups and inspections at Superfund sites along rivers and watersheds.
• Suspends routine inspections of drinking water systems and hazardous waste facilities, raising risks for communities and industries downstream.
• Pauses State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs for clean and drinking water, as well as brownfield grants critical to riverfront redevelopment.
• Delays Clean Water Act permits and compliance plans, stalling infrastructure projects and private-sector investments, including shutting down laboratories that test water quality samples, undermining timely detection of pollution.

National Park Service (NPS)

• Closes or cuts staffing at national parks and historic sites that anchor river-based tourism economies.
• Shuts down visitor centers, restrooms, and trash collection, leaving river recreation areas unsafe and unwelcoming.
• Delays maintenance on river trails, roads, bridges, and facilities, raising risks of damage or accidents.
• Curtails search-and-rescue and wildfire mitigation in river-adjacent lands.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

• Furloughs most non-emergency staff, stalling habitat restoration and riverbank stabilization projects.
• Halts Endangered Species Act consultations and permitting reviews, creating regulatory limbo that hurts both conservation and development planning.
• Suspends wildlife monitoring and refuge management along river corridors.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• Suspends coastal and riverine resilience grants, marine debris removal, and estuary water quality monitoring.
• Slows or stops monitoring of harmful algal blooms- critical for drinking water safety and fisheries health.
• Reduces fisheries management and enforcement capacity, hurting river-dependent fishing communities.
• Delays research and mapping that support states and local governments in planning for flood resilience and economic development.

Congress can Keep Government Open and Deliver a Bipartisan Solution

A shutdown doesn’t just freeze time in Washington – it weakens and paralyzes our ability to protect rivers, support clean water, and grow the river economy, which employs hunters, anglers, engineers, construction workers, outfitters, guides, dam operators, and small business owners. Congress must act together to keep the government open and protect the resources and communities that depend on a fully funded and open government.

Urge Congress to protect our rivers and communities.

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We lost valued community members.

We lost access to natural spaces we relied on for recharge and connection.

The rivers we loved for fishing, paddling, and sustaining local businesses were left clogged with trash and debris.

Infrastructure like roads, bridges, and dams failed — leaving disconnection and communities at risk.

When I think back to those early days, I remember hearing the same question again and again: “Where can I help?” And the answer was simple, help your neighbors. We formed flush brigades (without running water we hauled non-potable water for flushing toilets), filled each other’s drinking water jugs, and shared hot drinks in my driveway as we organized to make sure that everyone had what they needed most.

Of course, restoring rivers is also my job. In order to be most helpful, I knew we needed to work together with local partners — who in many cases were my neighbors. With MountainTrue and Riverlink we listed the Rivers of Southern Appalachia on America’s Most Endangered Rivers® list to call for the resources we need to recover. Our advocacy centered on making rivers and communities safer — by addressing high-risk dams, removing storm debris, rebuilding stronger water infrastructure, supporting voluntary floodplain buyouts, and ensuring access to federal recovery funds.

The progress of the past year has been grounded in one clear goal: not just to repair rivers, but to make them more resilient for the future. One major win came through House Bill 1012 that created the new North Carolina Dam Safety Grant Fund with $10 million dedicated to addressing high-hazard dams damaged by Helene. Additional resources flowed to MountainTrue to support storm debris cleanup which created jobs and ensured ongoing reciprocity for our rivers. Another silver lining was when we brought the community together to celebrate at New Belgium Brewing to toast our hard work and take action for the work that’s ahead.

Recovery doesn’t end when the debris is cleared or when the funding comes through for the dam removal. True resilience means preparing for the future knowing that the next storm is on the horizon, focusing on advocacy efforts that will help long term.

 America’s Most Endangered Rivers® calls on communities to spotlight the rivers at a crossroads, where decisions in the next year will shape their future for decades. Nominations are open now and it is a powerful way to keep community safety at the forefront of public attention.

As I mark this anniversary, I feel deep gratitude for the rivers that keep flowing, for the partners who stood shoulder to shoulder in recovery, and for the colleagues who continued to inspire me with their commitment and care. Helene reminded me that resilience is both a collective and personal journey. As we look ahead, I carry the resolve that we can and must build a future where rivers — and the people who depend on them — are ready not just to survive the next storm but to thrive in its aftermath.

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In these 20 years, we have learned a lot about the challenges with levees and the importance of healthy, connected floodplains. Our Senior Director of Floodplain Restoration, Eileen Shader, reflects on these lessons and how state and federal governments can act to prevent that scale of destruction from happening again. 

What can you do to help? 

Take action: Tell states they must step up to make sure they are investing in floodplain management and floodplain reconnection and flood safety, and that that they have the rules and regulations in place to help guide local government and local decisions about where we develop and how we develop in floodplains to keep people and property safe.  

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1. Take Action: Sign our Clean Water Petition

Investing in clean water security generates a tremendous return on investment for the country. Clean water is not a luxury. It is vital to our future economic growth and essential to the heritage of our communities. Please ask your member of Congress to support this common sense blueprint for keeping America’s rivers safe and our water clean.

2. use our official handbook to organize a river clean up

If this is the first time you are hosting a river cleanup, download this one-stop-shop handbook on how to organize a successful event. It has everything you need — from tips on how to select a cleanup site to engaging your volunteers to securing attention from local media. Organize a river clean up in your community today! 

3. Advocate for rivers through our action center

Be a voice for rivers: Last year, our community sent 30,000+ messages to decision-makers calling on them to take action for healthier rivers and cleaner water. Check out our Action Center and take action today!

4. Learn about the top 10 ways to conserve water at home

There are a few simple things you can do at home — Fix leaks, turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth — to ease the burden on your local water supply and save money in the process. These water-saving measures can have a big impact on water demand in your local community.

5. Share your favorite river!

Leave a comment here and share your favorite river and why you love it. If someone else has mentioned your river or a river you love, share your story with them. We are all connected by our waterways, let’s prove it! 

One small action each day adds up to make a big impact over time. Share this list with your family and friends and revisit these actions when you can. Healthy rivers are for everyone, not just a privileged few. We are in this together, and it will take all of us in this movement to protect rivers and preserve clean water. 

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Ask Rep. Zinke to support the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act! It only takes 90 seconds to make a difference!

The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act reached a major milestone on November 19 when it advanced through the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on a 10-9 party-line vote. Despite the fact that the bill enjoys overwhelming support from Montanans across the political spectrum, Montana’s junior Senator, Steve Daines, voted against it, saying it is too ambitious and lacks support from a handful of county commissions that weighed in at the 11th hour. This marks the first time the legislation has been sent to the U.S. Senate floor, and it can now be considered for inclusion in a public lands package that Congress may pass by year’s end. 

Sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act (MHLA) would add 19 rivers and 327 river miles in the headwaters of the Missouri and Yellowstone River systems to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. If passed into law, the MHLA would permanently protect the free-flowing nature, water quality, and outstanding values of some of Montana’s most cherished and iconic waterways, including the Gallatin, Yellowstone, Smith, Boulder, and Stillwater rivers.

Fourteen years in the making, the MHLA is community-driven, broadly supported, and deeply vetted legislation crafted by thousands of Montanans who understand the importance of clean water and healthy rivers to the two biggest pillars of the state’s economy – agriculture and outdoor recreation. This legislation carefully balances protecting rivers from dams and other harmful projects, while also allowing traditional uses like recreation, grazing, and forest management to continue. 

Since the bill was first introduced in Congress in 2020, support for the MHLA has continued to grow. To date, the MHLA has garnered the support of 3,500 citizens and community leaders and more than 2,000 Montana based businesses, including the largest mining company in the state. Numerous statewide polls over the past four years show more than 8 out of 10 Montanans support the legislation, including supermajorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents.

Of Montana’s 177,000 miles of rivers and streams, less than 0.02% have been protected as Wild and Scenic. Since 1976, only 20 miles of one stream, East Rosebud Creek, have received new Wild and Scenic River protections. Meanwhile, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah have added nearly 1,000 miles of new Wild and Scenic Rivers since 2009. 

To give the MHLA the best shot of passing into law by year’s end, we need all of Montana’s four-person congressional delegation paddling in the same direction.

Ask Rep. Zinke to support the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act! It only takes 90 seconds to make a difference!

A love for our rivers is something that unites Montanans from across the political spectrum. If we can’t protect the smallest sliver of our absolute best rivers and streams, what kind of Montana do we think we will pass along to future generations?

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Check out these four easy things you can do for World Rivers Day and be a confident voice for rivers come Election Day in November. Don’t forget – #VoteRivers!

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In addition to broad cuts within the Department of Agriculture, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, among other agencies, there are specific changes called out that will have significant repercussions for rivers.

1. Within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it suggests eliminating the

• Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights
• Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance
• Office of Public Engagement of Environmental Affairs

The plan also recommends to “review grant programs to ensure that taxpayer funds go to organizations focused on tangible environmental improvements free from political affiliation.” Project 2025 also recommends a “day one executive order” to stop all grants to advocacy groups. And on water specifically, Project 2025 recommends codifying a “navigable water” clause to “respect private property rights.”

What this means for rivers: This means that federal funding currently going to conservation organizations, like American Rivers or those on the ground removing dams to restore rivers, could be held up or eliminated. Weakening federal safeguards for clean water means that it will be up to the states to decide, meaning access to clean water will be depend on the politics of one’s state, not necessarily what is needed for healthy communities or ecosystems. And because rivers don’t stop at state borders, pollution could increase everywhere. Many federal safeguards currently in place to protect rivers and clean water, especially in communities that have traditionally been under-served due to their race, cultural, or income makeup, will no longer be enforced.

2. Project 2025 suggests lifting the ban on fossil fuel extraction on federal lands, which would put countless miles of rivers and streams at risk.

What this means for rivers: Putting climate change concerns aside for the moment, with any new fossil fuel extraction, the risk of accidents, leaks, and spills goes up considerably. And as we have seen numerous times before, one accident can damage a river and clean water supplies for decades. Further, the headwaters of many rivers in the U.S. are found on national public land. More pollution, means more risk to the literal places where rivers are born, and that will have impacts to everyone who uses it as a water source.

3. Project 2025 calls for the dismantling of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by moving some responsibilities to other agencies and privatizing other duties. The National Marine Fisheries Service would be streamlined and some duties transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the “America the Beautiful” and “30×30” programs withdrawn.

What this means for rivers: The NOAA website says it best:

“From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need, when they need it.”

Without a central agency monitoring our climate and weather, and informing the many parts of our government that need that data, we run the risk of being unprepared for the next hurricane, storm, flood, or drought. We already know that climate change impacts every drop of water in our lives. Ignoring this fact threatens our safety and way of life on Earth.

4. With the Department of Energy (DOE), Project 2025 reinforces support for fossil fuels by encouraging more extraction and streamlining public safeguards.

What this means for rivers: We already know that a reliance on fossil fuels will continue to warm our world and intensify floods and droughts. With more drilling and fewer safeguards, threats to rivers and their wildlife and communities will increase.

5. The plan recommends moving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of Interior or Department of Transportation, and suggests phasing out programs like the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to private insurance. Disaster preparedness grants would be changed to only go to states – NGOs, Tribal governments, and localities would need to go through State governments for funds.

What this means for rivers: As floods become more frequent and severe, FEMA and the resources it provides become more and more vital. Moving these critical emergency response tools away from an agency that already has the national infrastructure set up to respond when needed would be unnecessarily putting lives at risk. Eliminating federal support programs in favor of state or — even worse — private, control, assures the same vulnerable communities that historically have suffered the most will continue to be under-served, and will have a harder time recovering from the next disaster.

Interested in doing more for rivers? Download our election guide to better understand the threats rivers face in this election. Or join us right now in taking action for clean water by asking Congress to increase federal protections for all streams and wetlands. This is our chance to make a difference!

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Thank you for standing by our mission to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature.

American Rivers is thankful for…

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What Does the Farm Bill Mean for Farmers? 

Every five years, Congress must reauthorize the Farm Bill to reassess, reevaluate, and reform key provisions to ensure programs from crop insurance to voluntary conservation practices are assisting everyday farmers. The bill includes $6 billion in annual conservation funding to improve soil health, restore watersheds, increase water quality, and protect wildlife while building resilience to climate change. The current Farm Bill expires on September 30^th, 2023, and Congress is already drafting the bill. 

Through USDA’s conservation programs, farmers are able to tap into innovative, nationwide on-the-ground technical support and financial assistance as a way to incentivize and implement best practices. These methods include building riparian zones, creating streamside buffers, and adopting easements to tackle excessive nutrient pollution among many other multi-use benefits. Strengthening key programs like the Water Source Protection Program, the Emergency Watershed Programs, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program are just a few examples where farmers, landowners, and ag producers need Congress to act to keep up with the constantly changing markets, global economic outlook, production demands, population growth, and climate change. 

How Climate Impacts Rivers and Farming Communities 

Across the nation, our research finds flooding has caused $59.2 billion in damages over the last decade. Over that same period, farmers enrolled in the Federal Crop Insurance Program reported $29 billion in damages caused by floods and excess moisture, with Upper Mississippi River Basin states representing 34 percent of those damages. The cost of flooding impacts is rising as precipitation increases, and damages are expected to continue to escalate as climate change impacts intensify.  

In the West, acequias are falling through the cracks when it comes to fire and flood recovery assistance. Flood damage after the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire in the summer of 2022 impacted more than 700 people in New Mexico. The average market value for farms in the region is about $20,000. Yet these communities rarely receive any help. Local and state governments simply do not have the cash reserves to deploy financial resources to help small acequias associations. Rio Gallinas serves as a critical tributary to the Pecos River which is currently threatened by outdated watershed management plans. Traditional Hispanic acequia systems, with a 500-year history on the landscape, depend on the river to sustain agricultural and ranching communities. Unfortunately, these reoccurring natural disasters that farmers experience are making it harder to stay in agriculture. 

As a third-generation farmer, Brian Wong, who owns and operates BKW Farms, grows crops including nearly extinct heritage grains like white Sonora wheat on 4,500 acres in the heart of the parched Sonoran Desert. His farm is about 25 minutes northwest of Tucson, Arizona. Bakeries, restaurants, breweries, and flour mills as far away as Minnesota and Florida rely on their grain to sustain their own businesses. But extreme drought is taking a tremendous toll on the Colorado River, the nation’s #1 Most Endangered River. In partnership with BKW Farms, American Rivers is urgently working with partners such as utilities, and municipalities to fix the massive imbalance between rising consumer demands and a shrinking water supply. 

Congress Must Protect Farmers from Climate Change 

Right now, Congress can make it easier for farmers to lead in innovation and conservation by making policy changes that will most effectively and efficiently encourage more farmers to adopt multi-use approaches for long-term sustainable agriculture which will help rivers bounce back. These program refinements and investments will not only improve water quality and quantity but also keep our farmers farming for years to come. We can maximize yields and ensure river protection by taking the following steps for a successful Farm Bill: 

1. Prioritize floodplain easements and other nature-based solutions with multiple-use benefits to address climate change. 

2. Promote the implementation of river and land management best practices paired with intentional and purposeful climate-smart goals. 

3. Support source water protection to reduce the risk of contamination to people, the environment, and wildlife.   

4. Increase drought resilience by enhancing water infrastructure to alleviate water shortages impacting vulnerable populations. 

5. Increase authorized levels of funding for programs that improve river health including water quality and quantity. 

6. Remove barriers to technical assistance and capacity-building. 

7. Increase funding for research and development on equitable and sustainable land and water stewardship. 

8. Assess the safety of dams, levees, and reservoirs, and improve rehabilitation of infrastructure and safety assessments. 

See American Rivers’ Farm Bill Policy Priorities advocacy platform for more details. 

Today, we’re continuing our work on Capitol Hill to advocate for key reforms that will restore rivers and revitalize farming communities for future generations. Together, we can ensure farmers are not left behind and their families can reliably and confidently depend on key conservation programs to withstand natural disasters. Congress must help farmers stay in business and ensure healthy rivers are a priority in the 2023 Farm Bill.  

We urge you to send a message to your members of Congress. Will you join us? 

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