As provided in the Commissioner's media release:

River Rally 2012--Commissioner Amanda Fritz to Welcome Attendees

PORTLAND, ORE. As Commissioner-in-Charge of the Office of Healthy Working Rivers, Commissioner Amanda Fritz is proud to welcome River Rally 2012 to Portland, Oregon. “It’s fitting that Portland, at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, is the host for the largest gathering ever of clean water advocates from around the world,” said Fritz. “We’re delighted to showcase Portland’s efforts and have the chance to exchange knowledge and expertise with such distinguished guests.”

The River Network, a non-profit environmental group with headquarters here in Portland, and the Waterkeeper Alliance, which maintains an international presence, join together to bring River Rally 2012 to Portland May 4th -7th. Portland, with its commitment to clean rivers and a healthy environment for people and wildlife, is an ideal location for the River Rally as we recognize the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.

River Rally, which sold out weeks in advance, offers more than 100 workshops, 15 field trips, 2 bands, and inspirational speakers over the first weekend in May. Featured speakers include Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President of the Waterkeeper Alliance; Alexandra Cousteau of Blue Legacy Project (granddaughter of legendary French explorer, oceanographer, and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau); and Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The conference begins on Friday evening with a ceremonial invocation by Gerald Lewis, Yakama Nation Tribal Councilman and Chairman of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Commissioner Amanda Fritz will follow with a formal welcome to River Rally 2012 attendees.

The City of Portland Office of Healthy Working Rivers is a member of the Host Committee and a River Rally sponsor. To highlight Portland’s achievements to enhance habitat and protect our watersheds, the Office of Healthy Working Rivers and the Bureau of Environmental Services have organized a kayak tour of the Columbia Slough, a tour of innovative stormwater sites, and a workshop on Integrated Monitoring for Watershed Health, offered to conference participants.

RALLY HO!

Contact:
Patti Howard, Policy Advisor
Office of Commissioner Fritz
503-823-1120,  patti.howard@portlandoregon.gov