Rogue Riverkeeper

For ten years, KS Wild has been a leader in public lands and wildlife advocacy. Part of our success is based upon our readiness to strategically evaluate and adapt our approach to address the most pressing ecological issues. In 2008, we identified a big gap in aquatic advocacy; there is virtually no public oversight for Clean Water Act implementation and enforcement on the Rogue River. Several excellent entities do monitoring, environmental education and fish passage advocacy, but in the absence of vigilant public oversight, the government has done little to enforce vital water laws. We saw the need, and we took action.

In June 2008, the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international network of water advocates, approved KS Wild as the Rogue Riverkeeper. Lesley Adams, who has served as KS Wild’s Outreach Director for the past five years, is transitioning into the new position of Rogue Riverkeeper. Laurel Sutherlin was hired as our Grassroots Organizer to take over outreach and organizing responsibilities.

Public trust waters are among our most valuable natural resources, and the Clean Water Act’s provisions for public involvement are critical to the implementation of this cornerstone environmental law. The Clean Water Act itself does not ensure clean water. The law depends on an informed, engaged public to speak up for clean water.

The Rogue Riverkeeper program will keep an eagle eye on river polluters, help enforce water laws, and work to protect and restore water quality and native fish populations in the Rogue Basin.

Stay tuned for more information on this new program and its official launch in January 2009.

Photo of kids on Rogue River by Roger Dorband.