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                      SAVE THE AMERICAN RIVER!! 
  This year, Congress could vote to authorize and fund a flood control project    
that would block the American River with a rnassive flood control dam that  
would periodically (or perhaps permanently) flood the upstream canyons.
The Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to build a 425 foot high dam at
Auburn - and periodically drown 34 miles of the North and Middle Forks of
the American River. The fluctuating water levels behind the flood control dam  
would dramatically increase erosion and landslides along the canyon walls of  
the river, degrading fish and wildlife habitat, as well as the road and trail  
system which provides recreational access to the canyons. Even if the dam gates  
are never closed, high river flows could back up behind the dam for as long two
weeks-putting at grave risk the lives of ancient oaks and  other evergreens
that cloak the hillsides of the canyon.

  The canyons of the North and Middle Forks provide recreation for more than
500,000 people annually.  Close to the Sacramento metropolitan area, the
canyons offer miles of hiking trails (including the route of two  
internationally Famous competitive race events - the Western States Endurance  
Run and Tevis Cup Race) and some of the most exciting whitewater in the state.  
The canyons are dotted with more than 460 historic and cultural sites,  
providing a physical reminder of the gold miners and native americans. Wild  
trout, river otter, bald and golden eagle, deer and mountain lion are just some  
of the fish and wildlife species which call this spectacular area home.

 Like many of the Congressional "pork barrel" projects of history, the Corps of
Engineers Auburn Dam proposal is unnecessarily expensive and environmentally
damaging (both lo the American River canyons and the American River Parkway
downstream) - and will not achieve its flood control goals because it ignores
the weak link in Sacramento's flood control system, the levees surrounding the
lower American River. The Sacramento area can more than meet federal flood  
control standards without building a new dam near Auburn. Deepening the  
spillways and their gates at Folsom Dam, in conjunction with habitat enhancing  
levee improvements and setbacks,will provide Sacramento much more secure flood  
protection than exists either  today or under the Corps of Engineers proposal   
at roughly half or two thirds the cost of the Congressional proposal.

                    WHAT CAN I DO?  
  Congressman Fazio and the California Reclamation Board are proposing that the
taxpayers of California and the United States fund the destruction of the
American River Canyon to build a flood control project that may not even work.
Unless they hear from you, your friends, and neighbors - they may get away
with it.  Please call or write California Governor Pete Wilson and your  
Congressional Representative. Here are some suggested points to make:

  Let them know what the American River means to you, and what hillsides
of dying oaks and stripped off canyon soils would mean to the natural and  
recreational resources of the river canyons. Encourage them to embrace flood 
control alternatives for Sacramento that  work better, cost less, don't  
endanger the canyons of the American River, and offer opportunities to enhance  
the environmental resources of the American River Parkway.
    Governor Pete Wilson                   Representative_______________
    State Capitol                          House Office Building
    Sacramento, CA 95814                   Washington DC 20515

    In addition to Reps. Fazio and Matsui, members of the House Public Works  
and Interior Committees will be among the first to shape Congressional  
decisions.If your Representative is on these Committees, he needs to hear from  
you urgently. The following are California members of the two Committees:

    HOUSE PUBLIC WORKS &                   HOUSE INTERlOR AND INSULAR                         
    TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE               AFFAIRS COMMlTTEE
   Glenn Anderson (D) Long Beach             John Doolittle (R) Roseville
   Christopher Cox (R) Newport Beach         Calvin Dooley (D) Visalia
   Ron Packard (R) San Clemente              Elton Gallegly (R) Simi Valley
   Frank Riggs(R) Santa  Rosa & the          Robert Lagomarsino (R)
   North Coast                               Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo
   Norman Mineta (D) San Jose                Richard Lehman (D) Fresno
                                             George Miller (D)) Contra Costa
                                             Mel Levine (D) west Los Angeles
  

    FRlENDS OF THE RIVER is working to protect the American River and other  
rivers throughout California and the west. We are the publishers of Headwaters,  
a quarterly publication that keeps you informed about the campaigns to protect  
California rivers.  Annual dues are $25.



           F.O.R., 909 12th Street, Suite 207, Sacramento, CA 95814
           Phone: (916) 442-3155. San Francisco Office, (415) 771-0400



URGENT!!!.........CALL SENATOR CRANSTON'S OFFICE, (202)224-3553,
TELL HIM TO STOP THE AUBURN DAM IN THE "WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT 1992"  
BILL #2734