River Watch - Congaree Riverkeeper

Congaree Riverkeeper Newsletter
June 2011
On behalf of its members, Congaree
Riverkeeper works to protect and
improve water quality, wildlife habitat,
and recreation on the Congaree,
Lower Saluda and Lower Broad Rivers
through advocacy, education and
enforcement of environmental laws. River Rocks 2011
River Watch
Table of Contents
A Great Time Had by All at River Rocks! Our Board of Directors
Calling All Photographers
Great Time Had by All at
River Rocks
On May 28th, we held our first annual fundraiser event,
River Rocks, at Riverfront Park. River Rocks
featured live music, paddling races and demonstrations,
along with fun kid's activities.
We received really
positive feedback about the quality of the band lineup,
paddling experiences, food, and the general operation
Richland County Allocates
Funds
Congaree Riverkeeper Joins
Saluda Advisory Council
Water Withdrawal
Regulations Moving Forward
Quick Links
Our Website
Become a Member
Email Us
See a sewer
overflow, muddy
water, or other
water pollution?
Call us at
803-760-3357.
We will
investigate. paddling experiences, food, and the general operation
and management of the festival. And we are humbled by
the tremendous outpouring of goodwill shown toward
Congaree Riverkeeper and support of what we do.
Thanks to all who attended, our sponsors, and the folks
who volunteered to help us run the event. We especially
want to thank Half-Moon Outfitters, Get Your Gear On,
Adventure Carolina, and California Republic for their
professional skill and care in supervising paddling
demonstrations;
Andy Grizzell for successfully
organizing 3 different paddling races with a total of 55
participants; Andrew Sharrock for deftly organizing 91
volunteers; Vi Hendley for sweating it out in the fish
costume with aplomb and grace; David Britt for
his exceptional stage and vendor managment; Chief
Louis Chavis of the Beaver Indian Tribe for his
sage blessing of our rivers; Elaine Gillespie and Nola
Armstrong for their savvy promotion; the City Park
Rangers for their skillful logistical assistance; and
George Park for his first-rate organization of a sculling
Our Board of
Directors
Mullen Taylor, Chair
Gene Dinkins, Jr., Vice
Chair
George Durban, Treasurer
Mandy Odum, Secretary
John Brandon
Fred Hanna
Chris Kueny
Debbie Parker
Sandy Rankin
Tim Rogers
James Smith
Brian Taylor
Calling All
Photographers
We are looking for
beautiful photos of our
rivers to use in our
newsletters. If you are
interested in sharing
your photos, send us an email.
race with 41 participants from nine states. Finally, the
race with 41 participants from nine states. Finally, the
Board of Directors thanks Stuart Greeter for his
dedication in pulling this whole thing off.
Richland County Riverkeeper Funds Congaree
Within its FY11-12 budget, Richland County Council
allocated $20,000 to Congaree Riverkeeper as part of its
stormwater management budget! This money will help
us move forward with achieving goals identified in our
new strategic plan, which includes organizing a second
River Summit, and working with local governments to
supplement and enhance public education concerning
water quality. Thank you Richland County! We will work
hard to show results with this financial support.
Congaree Riverkeeper Joins Saluda
Advisory Council Recognized as an outstanding recreational resource, the
Lower Saluda River, from one mile below Lake Murray
Dam to its confluence with the Broad River, was
designated as a State Scenic River by the South
Carolina Legislature in 1991. In conjunction with this
designation, the Lower Saluda River Advisory Council was
established to advise the S.C. Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) concerning protection and
management of the river. The advocacy efforts of the
Council are guided by a Lower Saluda River Corridor
Plan that sets out goals and objectives concerning
recreation, water quality, and conservation. The Council
is
primarily
made
up
of
property
owners.
Representatives of S.C. PRT, Columbia
Audubon Society, Congaree Land Trust, American
Rivers, Palmetto Paddlers, and American Whitewater
Association serve as ex officio members. Congaree
Riverkeeper is honored to be appointed by DNR to serve
as an ex officio member of the Lower Saluda Advisory
Council.
Water Withdrawal Regulations Moving
Forward Last year, the Legislature enacted a Surface Water
Withdrawal, Permitting, Use and Reporting Act that
regulates how much water can be withdrawn from South
Carolina rivers and lakes. Because many surface water
withdrawals occur from the Lower Broad, Lower Saluda
and Congaree, we are watching how this landmark
legislation will be implemented. Within the Lower Broad
Basin, there are 10 withdrawals, 4 of which are for golf
course irrigation, 2 for hydropower, 1 for nuclear power,
and 3 for drinking water supply. Aside from hydropower,
the largest withdrawal from the Lower Broad River is by
SCE&G’s V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, which withdrew
252,692.61 million gallons (mg) of water in 2009. Within
the Lower Saluda Basin, there are 15 withdrawals, of
which 2 are for golf course irrigation, 2 are for industrial
use, 1 for hydropower, and 10 for agricultural purposes.
Aside from hydropower, the largest withdrawal from the
Lower Saluda is by SCE&G’s McMeekin Power Plant,
which withdrew 58,179.6 mg in 2009. Within the
Congaree Basin, there are 17 withdrawals, of which 1 is
Congaree Basin, there are 17 withdrawals, of which 1 is
for aquaculture, 6 for golf course irrigation, 1 for
hydropower, 5 for industrial use, 1 for mining, and 2 for
drinking water supply. Aside from hydropower, the
largest withdrawal from the Congaree River is by
Eastman Chemical, which withdrew 22,794.923 mg in
2009. In July, the DHEC Board is expected to issue
draft regulations for public comment. Ultimately, the
regulations go to the General Assembly for approval.
Please visit our website at http://www.congareeriverkeeper.org.
Donate to our cause at http://congareeriverkeeper.org/become-member-help-clean-our-waterways.