Advocacy - Save The River® Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper®

Be a Voice for the River

We need your help to protect the River – speak out!

Writing or calling elected officials, attending public hearings, signing petitions, all of these actions make a difference! Each letter or voice helps to ensure that elected officials and government agencies ensure the protection of the St. Lawrence River.

Blind Bay

Blind Bay is an environmental treasure and has open and protected wetland areas. It has served as a long-term aquatic habitat research site monitored by the Thousand Islands Biological Station (TIBS) and has been documented as one of the most prolific muskellunge spawning areas in the Thousand Islands. Learn more at saveblindbay.com

Winter Shipping

Save The River was formed in 1978 to fight proposals for year-round navigation on the St. Lawrence River. Learn more about Save The River’s work to prevent shipping in ice conditions here.

Water Levels

Learn more about Plan 2014, International Joint Commission (IJC), and Save The River’s campaign for improved water level regulations here.

Sewage Testing

Save The River advocates for better septic testing protocol at the local, state, and federal level. Learn more about the legacy of our now-retired Kingfisher Water Quality Program, and read our Sewage Handbook.

Clean Up the Ballast

Learn about aquatic invasive species and Save The River’s campaign to stop their introductions here.

Spills & Accidents

A spill from one of the many ships passing by each day on the St. Lawrence Seaway would have devastating impacts on the River environment and our local economy. Learn more about Save The River’s involvement in spill response planning.

Navigation Study

Learn about Save The River’s work to prevent the expansion of Seaway infrastructure here.

Alternative Energy

Save The River is concerned about the scale and siting of proposed power projects in the region. Read more about it here.

Issues We're Following

Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act

NY State Assembly Bill S1464

In Senate Committee

Banning the use of polystyrene foam docks, buoys, and floating structures

NY State Assembly Bill S1129

In Senate Committee

Brandon Road Project Stalled

Phase I of the US Army Corps of Engineer’s latest project to block invasive carp in the Des Plaines River, IL was abruptly canceled February 11, 2025 due to the Federal funding freeze. President Trump’s administration is withholding $117 million in federal infrastructure grants, including funds for the Brandon Road Project.

Federal Firings Hit Sea Lamprey Prevention Program

As part of the February 14th nationwide purge of federal workers, 14 employees responsible for operating the invasive Sea Lamprey prevention program at the US Fish & Wildlife Service were fired.

Protect NOAA

The Trump Administration has threatened a total dismantling of NOAA as part of sweeping cuts to environmental-related agencies within the Federal government.

Disapproval of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper, Chapter 8 of Title 5

This joint resolution (H. J. Res. 18) nullifies the rule titled National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements (LCRI). The rule removes certain restrictions of lead levels for drinking water standards.