NEWS - Dec. 9, 2011
Residents of the Northwest consider water quality their top environmental concern, according to a
new survey released by EarthFix.1,200 people in Idaho, Washington and Oregon responded to the survey.
IRU's Boise River Campaign Coordinator, Liz Paul guides IRU's work to reduce pollution of the Boise River.
Read the local story and listen to the interview with Liz.
Boise River 2011 from aaronkunz on Vimeo.
Once the second most polluted river in Idaho, the Boise River is now one of the most popular and valuable assets of southwest Idaho. During a three-month period in the summer, over 100,000 people float on a river where once the water was polluted with slaughterhouse refuse. And thousands more individuals and families enjoy the fishing, biking, bird-watching and other recreational opportunities provided by the Boise River.
Tremendous quantities of food are grown with water from the Boise River in Ada and Canyon counties, including beans, onions, mint, sweet corn seed, vegetable seeds, tree fruit, wine grapes, produce, alfalfa and sugar beets. United Water of Idaho relies on the Boise River for about 20% of the drinking water it delivers to its customers.
Determined and visionary citizens and policy makers worked tirelessly to clean up the Boise River and make it the vibrant and attractive resource it is today. Equal effort is now required to ensure that the Boise River remains clean and free-flowing for future generations of Idahoans to enjoy.
The Boise River is a precious resource that must be protected. Idaho Rivers United works:
- To protect the free-flowing Boise River by stopping the construction of an unneeded new dam .
- To ensure adequate instream flows to protect fish, wildlife and riparian habitat.
- To protect the Boise River's clean water from threats like the proposed CuMo moly mine.
- To promote water-wise landscaping and water efficiency to conserve water.
- In cooperation with government agencies, river users, and decision makers to develop river-friendly policies and laws.
Public awareness is essential to preserving the Boise River and the quality of life it brings to the residents of the Treasure Valley and the upper Boise River watershed. To help citizens become versed in the challenges faced by the Boise River, Idaho Rivers United conducts public outreach events on river and eco-system health and water conservation.
