Patricia Williams, AAM Vice President of Policy and Programs, asked me to
post the following concerning a potential new funding opportunity -- the
American Heritage Rivers Initiative -- for musuems located in river communities.

At a recent meeting sponsored by the White House Council on Environmental
Quality, a series of regional forums (listed below) were announced which will
discuss the criteria and nomination process as well as provide opportunity for
communities to provide input on the initiative.

According to the American Heritage Rivers Initiative's Statement of
Principles, the program is:

COMMUNITY-LED:  The American Heritage Rivers Initiative assists broadly
supported community-based efforts to revitalize local rivers and their
related communities and water fronts.

FLEXIBLE:  The Initiative is responsive to the diverse needs of
communities, from the core of our cities to remote rural areas.

COORDINATED:  The Initiative integrates state, local, federal, and
private expertise and resources to achieve community-identified
complementary goals including natural resources management, economic
development, environmental protection, and historic preservation.

BROAD:  While designated rivers receive focused support, information and
services are accessible to all river communities.

PARTNERSHIPS:  The initiative encourages investment in river communities,
promotes the pooling of resources and actively seeks out others to
support river community efforts.

ACTION-BASED:  The Initiative supports efforts that directly result in
improved river health and revitalized local communities.


REGIONAL FORUMS

April 16, Albuquerque, NM  2-5pm
Contacts: Alan Ragins, NPS, 505-988-6723; Susan Branning, EPA, 214-665-8022

April 23, Boston, MA
Contacts: Steve Golden, NPS, 617-223-5123; Geeta Pradhan, City of Boston,
617-635-0346; Ron Manfredonia, EPA, 617-565-3530

April 24, Philadelphia, PA
Contacts: Hank Zygmunt, EPA, 215-566-5750; Robert Potter, NPS,
215-597-1787; Patrice Caroll, Urban Resources Partnership, 215-686-2113

April 25, Chicago, IL
Contacts: Wink Hastings, NPS, 414-296-3617; Bill Franz, EPA, 312-886-7500;
Kent Sims, NRCS, 630-505-7808.

Week of April 28, Los Angeles, CA
Contacts: Peg Henderson, NPS, 415-427-1448; Melinda Bartlett, City of Los
Angeles, 213-580-1019; Rich Campbell, USDA, 805-945-2604

Week of April 28, San Francisco, CA
Contacts: Catherine Kuhlman, EPA, 415-744-2001; Peg Henderson, EPA,
415-427-1448

May 1, Asheville, NC, 9am
Contact: Council on Environmental Quality, 202-395-5750

TBD, Atlanta, GA
Contacts: Joan Dupont, EPA, 404-562-9228; Nema Roman, Urban Resources
Partnership, 404-364-4242; Cindy Haygood, NRCS, 770-528-2218

TBD, Denver, CO
Contacts: Al Dodson, Governor's Office, 303-866-4945; Duane Holmes, NPS,
303-969-2855; Geene Reetz, EPA, 303-312-6850

TBD, Seattle, WA
Contacts: Michael Linde, NPS, 206-220-4113; John Bregar, EPA,
206-553-1984; Carroll Boone, Urban Resources Partnership, 206-220-4124

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Barry Szczesny
AAM Government Affairs
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(202) 289-9125