Mid-Atlantic Region

American Rivers has a successful track record protecting and restoring rivers and clean water in the Mid-Atlantic. We were instrumental in the removal of Embrey Dam on Virginia’s Rappahannock River, and are spearheading the removal of other outdated dams across the region. These restoration projects are important because they allow streams to flow freely and restore natural benefits when dams no longer function as intended or become unsafe.

In Pennsylvania, the state that leads the nation in dam removals, we partner with state government agencies and private foundations to administer millions of dollars in grants and contracts for river restoration projects. We also foster sound principles for funding programs devoted to clean water infrastructure. These principles promote green infrastructure practices which are cost effective, work with nature rather than against it, and protect clean water. In the Darby Creek watershed, our on the ground projects include restoring rivers and promoting green infrastructure. We are also working to ensure that New Jersey and others states embrace natural flood protection measures as a cost-effective way to protect communities and river health.

In Maryland, we are working to implement an innovative stormwater law that requires “environmental site design,” which incorporates green infrastructure practices to ensure that water is managed on site as much as possible. As stormwater regulation is developed and updated, American Rivers works to ensure that regulatory policies remove barriers to, and create requirements for, green infrastructure. American Rivers has worked with partners in West Virginia and Pennsylvania to improve the permits that guide municipal stormwater management programs. Our work optimizing effective water infrastructure is important to prepare the rivers of the Mid-Atlantic for the more frequent and intense floods and longer droughts threatened by climate change.