Friends of the River

Friends of the River Expands Top Leadership Team to Fight for California Rivers

Sacramento, CA — Friends of the River, one of California’s oldest and most respected river advocacy organizations, has announced the hiring of four experienced senior water experts from the Bay Institute (TBI), another of the state’s leading water-focused nonprofits, to dramatically increase FOR’s ability to protect and restore rivers and defeat river-killing water projects.

2024 has marked a pivotal year, as California finds itself at a crossroads between a water-sustainable future and succumbing to another century of wasteful water policy.

As FOR ramps up its fight against California’s most dangerous and harmful water projects (namely the Triple Threat of Sites Reservoir, the Delta Tunnel, and the Voluntary Agreements), it is expanding its team and bringing on experienced water warriors from across the state.

After the TBI staff resigned this past May, TBI Program Director Gary Bobker and FOR Executive Director Jann Dorman decided to bring the senior members of the TBI team to FOR. In addition to Mr. Bobker, who will become FOR’s Senior Policy Director, the new staff includes Greg Reis, one of the environmental community’s leading analysts of water project operations, who will become FOR’s new River Restoration Hydrologist; hydrogeographer Peter Vorster, a key player in the fights to restore Mono Lake and the San Joaquin River, who will become a consulting staff scientist; and John Shelton, former executive director of the San Joaquin River Conservancy and TBI staff scientist, who will become FOR’s San Joaquin Valley Restoration Coordinator.

“The TBI team is extremely excited to join FOR, where we can not only continue our work to restore California’s aquatic ecosystems but combine with FOR’s existing powerhouse staff to up our game in ensuring that healthy rivers remain a legacy for future generations and in reshaping California water policy to be more adaptive to climate change, ” said Mr. Bobker, whose 32-year tenure at TBI included leadership roles in negotiating the historic agreement to restore flows and fisheries to the dewatered San Joaquin River; securing new, stronger endangered species regulations and water quality standards for native fish and wildlife and their habitats in the San Francisco Estuary and its watershed; and pursuing initiatives to successfully reduce and eliminate contaminated runoff from irrigated agriculture in the Central Valley.

“With the Newsom administration continuing its unfortunate push to revive the same failed water policies of the 20th century that got us into this mess, we need talented, experienced, and highly knowledgeable senior leaders who can make our case to lawmakers, the public, and the courts,” said Ms. Dorman. “We are in the midst of fighting on a number of legal, administrative and political battlefields in order to save the state from falling down the disastrous path of tapping our state dry, and we intend to bring an all-star team to this fight.”

For more than a half-century, Friends of the River has been at the forefront of California’s environmental movement, fighting the good fight to defend our treasured waterways. FOR is dedicated to protecting and restoring California's rivers, streams, and watersheds, while advocating for sustainable water management and water solutions that protect the environment. With the state’s water crisis approaching a breaking point, FOR is in its biggest fight yet as it works to stop the Voluntary Agreements, the Sites Reservoir and Delta Tunnel boondoggles while offering sustainable alternatives that would preserve California’s remaining healthy rivers.

Thank you for your continued support! Together, we can protect our treasured waterways for future generations. 💦💚

Join Bring Back the Kern to celebrate the re-watering of the Kern River! The Kern River Parkway Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Saturday, 5/18.

Learn how to fly fish, enjoy the beer garden, experience local art, appreciate yoga/soundbath, and connect with community.

Bring Back the Kern won a historic court case in Nov 2023 to keep the Kern River flowing. It's time to celebrate!

🌎🌊 Happy Earth Day! 🌊🌎

Rivers are lifelines of our planet, supporting ecosystems, providing water for communities, and offering serene beauty. This Earth Day, pledge to protect and preserve these vital waterways. Here are some simple yet impactful ways you can help:

• Reduce Water Usage: Conserve water at home by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and using water-efficient appliances.
• Dispose of Waste Properly: Ensure trash and chemicals are disposed of properly, away from water sources, to prevent pollution.
• Support River Conservation Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to protecting rivers and watersheds, like Friends of the River.
• Plant Trees and Vegetation: Trees and plants help prevent erosion and filter pollutants before they reach rivers.
• Avoid Harmful Chemicals: Use eco-friendly products to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals entering water systems.
• Educate Others: Spread awareness about the importance of rivers and how everyone can contribute to their preservation.
• Participate in River Cleanups: Join or organize clean-up events to remove trash and debris from riverbanks.
• Support Sustainable Practices: Choose sustainable products and practices that reduce your environmental impact.
• Advocate for River Protection: Support policies and initiatives that protect rivers and promote sustainable water management.

Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that rivers continue to flow healthily for generations to come. Let's celebrate Earth Day by showing our love for rivers and the planet! 🌿💧

Thank you, EDSO, for this important safety reminder. Stay safe while enjoying our beautiful rivers. 🌊

As El Dorado County heads into spring and the weather gets warmer (with the exception of the random spring snow storm), The Sheriff's Office wishes everyone to remember a few safety tips when enjoying the great weather in and around the rivers and lakes in the county and elsewhere. 1. The water is DEADLY COLD. 2. Wear appropriate safety gear. Please do not be that person, please. 3. Avoid consuming alcohol and/or drugs. 4. Do an honest assessment of your swimming skill level. Water is unforgiving. 5. Go with a friend. Watch out for each other's safety. 6. SUPERVISE CHILDREN closely. Kids are sneaky fast and even shallow water can be deadly. 7. Pay attention to the warning signs and barriers, they are there for a reason. 8. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS, if something doesn't feel right then err on the side of caution and go a safer route.

Stay safe everyone and enjoy this wonderful weather.

TODAY is the last day to buy tickets to attend the California River Awards Dinner and Live Auction. Not only do we have exclusive Live Auction items, but we have a lot of fun. Don't miss out! We need you more than ever to help us raise the funds to fight for California Rivers.

Can't make it? That's ok, you can still support FOR by sponsoring the event, making a donation, or bidding on our amazing Online Auction items.

www.auctria.events/2024FORCRA

The last day to get tickets to attend the California River Awards is TOMORROW Friday, April 19. Not only do we have exclusive Live Auction items, but we have a lot of fun. Don't miss out! We need you more than ever to help us raise the funds to fight for California Rivers.

Can't make it? That's ok, you can still support FOR by sponsoring the event, making a donation, or bidding on our amazing Online Auction items.

www.auctria.events/2024FORCRA

California River Awards Honoree
Chris "Maven" Austin

We are thrilled to announce that Friends of the River will be honoring a truly remarkable figure in the realm of water news and policy—Chris "Maven" Austin, the founder and publisher of Maven’s Notebook.

Maven’s Notebook is a comprehensive and accessible source for clear, timely, and accurate water news. The unbiased reporting has earned the respect of water leaders and readers from across the spectrum of water interests.

Through Maven’s Notebook, Chris has been instrumental in supporting a productive, fact-based exchange of views between water leaders, as well as enhancing public engagement on complex water issues. By fostering an environment that encourages informed discussion, she has helped all stakeholders navigate the tough and divisive debates surrounding California water.

We couldn’t do what we do for California Rivers without Chris and Maven’s Notebook.

Please join us at the California River Awards in celebrating Chris Austin's contributions to the world of California water.

Buy event tickets, become a sponsor, and bid on auction items at https://auctria.events/2024FORCRA

Friends of the River's Online Auction is Live!

From exciting experiences to unique items, our auction has something for everyone, and it's all for a great cause. The auction will run from April 1st to April 26th, so be sure to place your bids and support our work to protect and preserve rivers across California.

You can also support Friends of the River by sponsoring the California River Awards, purchasing tickets for the awards dinner and live auction, or donating today. Your support allows us to continue our vital work to safeguard the rivers we all love.

Don't miss out on the fun – start bidding today! Visit https://auctria.events/2024FORCRA to view all the incredible items up for grabs. We'll be adding more items in the coming days, so check back often.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you'll join us in making this year's auction a success!

When you support us, you are helping to promote sustainable water solutions that build a more resilient water future for California. The funds raised allow us to build capacity and deepen our current impact. Friends of the River is a 501(c)3 organization, tax ID 94-2400210.

You’re invited to join us at the 2024 California River Awards on April 26, 2024 at the historic Verdi Club in San Francisco.

This gala event is not only a celebration of the rivers that have shaped our beautiful state but also a crucial fundraiser for our ongoing advocacy efforts.

Early Bird Tickets are on sale now! Purchase your tickets now before the price increases on March 16th.

The silent online auction will run from April 1st to April 26th. This is a fantastic opportunity to bid on some amazing items and experiences, all while supporting our mission.

Visit www.auctria.events/2024FORCRA to sponsor, donate an auction item, or purchase tickets for the live event.

Protect and restore the rivers of California. Friends of the River seeks an Executive Director, a passionate river advocate, a leader and team player with deep experience in California water policy and coalition building. https://www.friendsoftheriver.org/about/for-jobs/

🎙Listen to us at 6 PM on KZFR Chico, talking about Sites, the Delta Tunnel, and California rivers. You can listen online at kzfr.org/listen 🎙

For many of us, the end of the year is a time for reflection on the past and resolution for the future. For me personally, this led me to ask myself a question; why am I doing this? I am sharing my answer to myself with you. Because if I can’t be clear with myself, I can’t ask you to support my efforts.

Working for an environmental non-profit is hard, very hard. The environmental community is dramatically under-resourced, relative to the power of those we oppose. The day-to-day whack-a-mole of fighting destructive water projects and supporting environmentally friendly ones can feel overwhelming. As water changes with climate, there always seems to be new opportunities for fear, greed, and inequity. So, why am I doing this?

Because I am a grandmother.

And if you haven’t heard, we grandmothers are fierce protectors of our grandchildren’s future.

All of us want a bright future for those we love. For Californians, our future depends on how we manage our watersheds and our water as we adapt to climate change. This is the defining issue of our time. However, we will only achieve an equitable and sustainable water future when enough Californians share those values and that vision.

Together, we have an opportunity to change the way Californians value watersheds, rivers and water. Through the daily struggle of supporting the good and opposing the bad, we are changing the panic narrative, building community and demonstrating shared values. We are helping Californians care.

Knowing I am forging a future for my grandchildren is what keeps me going in these difficult times. Please join me in shaping the future for all.

Donating to FOR means we can continue the daily work of saving rivers and helping more Californians care. Together, we are making a difference. We have a powerful strategy and with your support we will succeed.

We still have not yet hit our December target! Your December contributions will fund important work we have been doing throughout the year, and ensure we start the new year with a strong foundation.

Wishing you a peaceful and loving new year.

With gratitude,

Jann Dorman, Executive Director

Donate at: https://www.friendsoftheriver.org/make-a-donation-2/

Warmest wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season. May your days be merry, bright, and filled with the joy that comes from connecting with nature.

Thank you for being a vital part of Friends of the River. We look forward to your continued support in the coming year and beyond. Together, we can ensure that California's rivers remain a source of life, beauty, and inspiration for generations to come.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with hope and prosperity.

On Wednesday, Friends of the River, Center for Biological Diversity, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, California Water Impact Network, and Save California Salmon, filed a legal challenge in Yolo County Superior Court, against the Sites Reservoir Project. The lawsuit seeks to void the certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report and the project approval. The Sites Project has been "fast-tracked" under the new Senate Bill 149, which requires the courts to resolve challenges under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) within 270 days when possible.

In parallel to the CEQA litigation, FOR also continues protesting the Sites Project water rights application to the Water Board. We hope these efforts can help stop this harmful project.

Perhaps more importantly, opposing Sites Reservoir creates a teachable moment, an opportunity to change the way Californians think about their water, their rivers and their future. Friends of the River opposes the Sites Reservoir because it is contrary to our values and is not in the p***c interest. The public suffers high financial and environmental risks and costs, while a small group of beneficiaries enjoys any gains.

In addition to opposing the worst, and supporting the best, we are working hard to change the narrative. The panic narrative is all about grabbing more. The sustainable narrative is about being realistic about the water we have, taking care of it, and sharing it equitably. Together, we can make a difference for rivers, for climate change and for California.

Like most non-profits which depend on membership support, the month of December is critical for hitting our yearly budget target. FOR needs to raise over 30% of our total membership contributions in December alone. We have not yet hit our December target! Your December contributions will fund important work we have been doing throughout the year, and ensure we start the new year with a strong foundation.

Make a donation today at https://www.friendsoftheriver.org/make-a-donation-2/

Wow, thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our community we have already raised over $4,000. We only need about $6,000 more to reach our $10,000 goal! 😀

Thank you to everyone who has already given today. Your support is greatly appreciated. ❤️

If you have not donated yet, there is still plenty of time to help us reach our goal and help us protect the rivers, streams and wetlands that we all love. You can help us make a real difference.

Friends of the River is a community. As a community we have the power to drive change. We need your financial support in order for our policy team to continue to fight. Together we can do this!

We have been fighting for rivers for 50 years. We need your support to be there for the next 50 years.

Help us reach our GivingTuesday goal.

Donate today at www.auctria.events/FORGivingTuesday2023

Thank you for being a vital part of our community!

It’s here… ! By the end of the day, we’re hoping to raise $10,000 to support our vital mission to protect and restore California Rivers. Together we can do it! Help us start the day off strong by making a donation now and clicking that share button!

Donate today at www.auctria.events/FORGivingTuesday2023

Tomorrow is GivingTuesday, the global day of unity and giving. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to support our vital mission to protect and restore California rivers.

But we can’t do this without you!

Not only do we need your support, we need your help to spread the word. Please tell your friends and family why you believe in our work and encourage them to support us too!

You don't need to wait until Tuesday to make a difference. Donate TODAY at www.auctria.events/FORGivingTuesday2023

On 11/17, Sites environmental docs were approved by water agencies who will benefit from the project. Dan Bacher says it best: "Regulatory capture by Big Ag and Big Water is a sad fact of life in the “green” and “progressive” state of California."

Conservation and Fishing Groups Condemn Approval of Sites Reservoir EIR by Project Authority Board SACRAMENTO, CA – Regulatory capture — the capture of the regulators by the regulated — by Big Ag and Big Water is a sad fact of life in the “green” and “progressive” state of California. That’s why the California Department of Water Resources (DWR)...

Friends of the River will be participating in GivingTuesday and we need your help!

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. By joining the GivingTuesday movement, you're proving that in times of uncertainty, generosity can bring the world together

Your support will help Friends of the River continue the vital mission to protect and restore California rivers. As the climate crisis and drought intensify the pressure to build more diversions, dams, and reservoirs increases daily. Healthy rivers are a critical part of the California in which we all want to live.

When you donate to FOR, you know your generosity will be helping to solve the big problems for rivers and water in California.

Friends of the River is a community. As a community we have the power to drive change. We need your financial support in order for our policy team to continue to fight. Together we can do this!

You don't need to wait until Tuesday to make a difference.

Donate TODAY at www.auctria.events/FORGivingTuesday2023

FOR Policy team Keiko Mertz and Ron Stork spoke with KRCR Chico last week about why Sites is not a 21st century water solution. Watch the interview here: https://krcrtv.com/news/local/californias-sites-reservoir-project-sparking-mixed-feelings-in-the-northdstate?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Sites Project Authority states project funding is "pretty much lined up." But more appx. 50% of the project cost is not secured. Sites applied for a $2.2 billion loan from EPA, the largest of its kind. The EPA has not yet made a decision.

Newsom fast tracked California’s biggest dam in decades. Funding is ‘pretty much lined up’ After decades of delay, state environmental review for Sites Reservoir comes to close as Newsom limits court challenges

Last week Governor Newsom took a step to streamline Sites Reservoir under SB 149 despite the project not meeting statutory requirements of the new Infrastructure Streamlining Program. Sites Reservoir is controversial, not carbon neutral, and will harm communities and the environment. Read this excellent piece by Dan Bacher:

Environmentalists blast Newsom again, this time for ‘streamlining’ Sites Reservoir in the Sacramento Valley • Sacramento News & Review Timely reports from Sacramento News & Review writers on breaking news and big issues.

Congratulations to the Winnemem Wintu tribe!

How a California tribe won their ancestral land back and saved endangered salmon The Winnemem Wintu hopes to solidify the connection between Indigenous rights and biodiversity.

Rendezvous by the River was so much fun! Sending a deep thank you to all of our supporters, volunteers, attendees, contributors, and donors, who made the Rendezvous by the River such a success.

We got the chance to connect with each other, enjoy a great evening together, and exceeded our fundraising goal. If you have pictures you would like to share, please post them below. We'd love to see them!

We hope to see you all at next year's Rendezvous! 😀

Thanks to our friends at Restore the Delta for supporting us at FOR. We had a wonderful time with you. Together we will do this!!!

Good morning, river friends! ☀️ I hope you're enjoying this beautiful Sunday. TODAY is the last day to purchase tickets for Rendezvous by the River, so grab a cup of coffee and head over to www.auctria.events/2023RiverRendezvous to purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or make a donation while you still can. This is the party of the season and you won't want to miss it.

We're less than 10k away from our fundraising goal and we need your help. Even if you can't attend the event, you can support our river saving work by making a donation today.

Thank you to everyone who has already purchased tickets, tables, and sponsorships. We're looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 30th at Camp Lotus! 🌲🍷🎸🌲

Rendezvous by the River is almost here. Do you have your tickets yet? Join us in celebration of FOR’s 50th Anniversary on September 30th at Camp Lotus! There will be food, wine, live music and dancing under the stars along the banks of the American River. The Street Wheelers will back again this year playing all your favorite songs.

This event is sure to sell out so get your tickets and tables now. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.auctria.events/2023RiverRendezvous.

Friends of the River has been fighting for rivers for 50 years. We need your support to be there for the next 50 years.

The LA Times just published an exclusive look into Friends of the River’s groundbreaking climate report on the damage Sites Reservoir will have on our environment.

Friends of the River, Patagonia, and Tell The Dam Truth have spent months working on a damning report on the dire environmental effects Sites Dam and Reservoir Project will have on California. We released that report this morning.
https://tellthedamtruth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sites-Reservoir-Projectect-Emissions-V4.pdf

Sites is a boondoggle that not only wastes taxpayer money but will set back CA on its net-zero emission goals. Over its 100-year expected life cycle, it’s predicted to emit approximately. 362,000 metric tons of CO2e/year, the vast majority of which is methane. That’s the equivalent emissions of over 80,000 gas-powered vehicles per year.

Just as California is leading the way towards zero emissions vehicles by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2045, the state is now rolling back that progress with its support of Sites, which will account for less than 1% of CA’s water availability in good years all while releasing harmful methane gas into the air.

Here’s the good news! There’s still time to stop Sites. The protest period ends on August 31, and FOR is ready to act. We need concerned citizens from across the state to join us in our fight to stop this Dam before it becomes a permanent drain on our state’s efforts to fight climate change. Join the fight by going to our website and signing up for updates, calling your local State Representative and Senator, and share this article with your friends and family.

https://www.friendsoftheriver.org/our-work/rivers-under-threat/sacramento-threat-sites/

Boiling Point: Would filling a new reservoir give off lots of greenhouse gases? Patagonia and environmental groups analyzed how much methane would be emitted by California's planned Sites Reservoir, projecting a large climate impact.