Blog

Times of Transition

UPDATE 9/26/22 – River Network has selected the firm GoodCitizen to lead the search for our next leader. The river is constantly turning and bending and you never know where it’s going to go and where you’ll wind up. Following the bend in the river and staying on your own path means that you are… Read More

The Next 50 Years of the Clean Water Act: Evening the Playing Field

Public clean water agencies are proud of the improvements to the environmental, social, and economic health of local communities they have helped bring about through 50 years of Clean Water Act (CWA) implementation. From significant advancements in wastewater treatment and stormwater management, to clean energy generation, carbon emissions reductions, urban renewal projects and green infrastructure… Read More

The Next River Rally

Mark your calendar for the next River Rally, which will take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2024!  River Network has hosted River Rally annually for decades, bringing together thousands of water professionals for an infusion of inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and celebration. For the River Network team, hosting River Rally is an immensely rewarding experience, but... Read More

Restoration and Reflection in the Umpqua Watershed

For 35 years Oregonians have celebrated their local rivers during River Appreciation days, and this year River Network staff were on hand to join in the fun. Started in the town of Roseburg, Oregon, in 1987 in response to concerns about the water quality degradation of the Umpqua River, the third Saturday in July is one... Read More

The Flow of Flow Funding

Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. In 2021, River Network humbly and with curiosity sought an opportunity to explore trust-based philanthropy. As the first year of flow funding comes to a close, hear from Lisa Runkel and Renée... Read More

Court’s Climate Ruling Will Have Far Reaching Impact

On the last day of its term, the Supreme Court restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to address climate change under the Clean Air Act (West Virginia vs. EPA). As important – the reasoning the Court used will undermine our federal agencies in doing their jobs to protect public health and the environment going… Read More

Introducing Two New State Policy Hub Categories

We’re excited to share the newest updates to the State Policy Hub! You may already know that you can find examples of state policies on the Hub related to drinking water (affordability, access, PFAS, lead service lines, and regionalization and consolidation), and open water data. You can now also find environmental justice policies and regulations... Read More

More Than Leadership

Nicole Silk in a canyon paddling a raft and smiling.

As I prepare and plan for “river season” in the West, I find myself also preparing for a journey of another kind. Some of you may have already heard my news: I’ll be departing River Network after River Rally 2022 to join The Nature Conservancy as Global Director for Freshwater Outcomes. It has been my… Read More

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Updates

LIHWAP, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program created and funded through COVID-19 legislation in December 2020 (CAA) and March 2021 (ARPA), is now in full swing, with households across the country accessing assistance in 42 states (data on tribes and territories will be updated in May). Households may apply for assistance to restore disconnected water... Read More

Mapping Water and Equity Considerations- Federal and State Tools

This blog post was co-authored by Erin Kanzig and Colleen Walters DC’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is analyzing Best Management Practices compared to the EPA’s EJ Screen demographic data. DOEE is working toward incorporating equity into water quality programs and environmental compliance requirements. Image credit: Lorena Kowalewski, DC Department of Energy and Environment... Read More