Thank you to all who gave one of the best gifts to the Kansas River this year – your comments opposing in-river dredging. Hundreds of public comments were sent to the Army Corps of Engineers opposing the recent permit applications, and all of us who rely on the Kaw for our drinking water (over 600,000 Kansans) and 173 miles of public recreation thank you.

If you missed the deadline of Dec. 9, 2011, you can still send in your postcards or email comments Kale.E.Horton@usace.army.mil

(more information on comments)

Need a green gift? Consider giving a Friends of the Kaw Membership.

For $35 you could provide an annual Friends of the Kaw Membership to someone you know who may be interested in our mission of preserving and protecting the Kansas River.

What’s included?

• Members receive our bi-annual newsletter "Kansas River Currents" (mail or email) that provides information on float trips, volunteer opportunities, current advocacy campaigns and other related events and news.

• Members can sign up to receive information and announcements several times a month from the Kansas Riverkeeper via email.

• Members are always welcome to join scheduled float trips on the Kaw. We can rent available canoes or members are welcome to bring their own boats.

• Your membership helps to support the Kansas Riverkeeper, a non-governmental advocate who holds the community accountable for the health and condition of the Kaw.  

• Memberships are tax-deductible to the full amount allowed by law.

Downloadable membership forms are available on our website.

For questions about our memberships, feel free to contact us at riverkeeper@kansasriver.org.

FRIENDS OF THE KAW'S 2011 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Documented an oil spill in Shawnee from the air.  
• Publicized, solicited comments, and made in-depth comments on one in-river dredging permit application and one pit mine application. 
• Made comments on a major Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KHDE) water quality hearing and nutrient hearing. 
  
• Participated in meetings with KDHE, the Kansas Livestock Association, Farm Bureau, and other stakeholders to discuss how to reduce nutrient run-off.
  
• Participated as a stakeholder on the 2010-11 Triennial Review focus group on water quality standards.
  
• Represented recreational interests on the Kansas Lower Republican Basin Advisory Committee.

EMPOWERMENT, RIVER ACCESS & EDUCATION: Getting people out on the river is key to building environmental stewardship from the ground up. When you help people connect the dots between water quality and their community’s quality of life, you can build on this foundation to broaden their interest.

• Thirteen educational group float trips.
• Presentations at the Waterkeeper Alliance International Conference; Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies Conference; Kansas State University, Natural Resource Class; Bass Pro Shop Seminar on Paddling the Kansas River; and six other school, church and community groups.
• Access Ramps are being constructed or in the planning stages at the Turner Bridge in KCK; in the cities of Shawnee & Belvue.
• Fundraising Events: River City Cook Off, Kawnivore River Race Concessions, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Annual Dinner & Silent Auction.
• Informational Booths: Farm Aid Concert in KCK, Topeka Boat Show, Manhattan Water Matters Day; Lawrence Earth Day Celebration; De Soto Days; Prairie Village Environmental Forum; Lenexa Waterfest; and other area events and festivals.
• Web Site:  We are committed to maintaining KansasRiver.org as THE credible source of information on the Kaw River.  In particular, our online Kansas River Inventory provides valuable information on the multiple water quality challenges facing the Kaw.