Secretary of Interior Comes to Town to Learn About Clean Water

On August 20th, United State Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar joined a variety of citizens and clean water organizations in Godfrey, Illinois for a public listening session under the President's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Community members were able to give commentary on what work is currently being done to promote outdoor recreation and keeping America green and clean as well as listen to opinions on what is in need of our nation's attention. The initiative aims to keep our land and water protected and for more citizens to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Joining Salazar was Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan Jarvis.

Many great comments were made to be taken back to President Obama, including the work that The Confluence is doing with its Habitat Restoration Days as well as the many hours of work AmeriCorps members put in to keeping land and water a place to enjoy. There were also a variety of issues brought up in hopes that the President takes a closer look at. Some of these issues included:

• The fight against a casino being built within the Confluence region
• More involvement and collaborative efforts with schools in getting kids outdoors
• More Army Corps of Engineers involvement in testing and monitoring the quality of water
• Better rules and regulations to keep the Ozark area waterways free from excessive trash/destruction
• More federal funding be placed in keeping waterways clean
• An increase in watershed education

Salazar listened intently as all of these topics were brought to hand. The session was recorded so it could further be reviewed at a later date.

Earlier in the day Jo-Ellen Darcy joined 200 students at the Melvin Price Lock and Dam in Alton to hold their own listening session. I was truly amazed with the students that raised their hands and openly admitted that they had lost a tie with their rivers and streams and wanted it back.

Overall the day was extremely moving. It is refreshing to hear such praise go out to AmeriCorps and all Clean Water Organizations. Let's keep our fingers crossed that more good things are in store for the future.

To read more on the event, feel free to visit http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/Operations/Pages/outdoors.aspx or

http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/outdoors-44001-rivers-great.html.

Thanks everyone for a fantastic August!