Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) had an amazing experience at the 2007 River Action Day. CCE and local river advocates met 15 Senate and House members and staff from the New York and Connecticut delegations. We discussed improving sewage pollution notification, designating wild and scenic rivers, and other clean water priorities- including funding for beach water testing, Long Island Sound protection, and Great Lakes restoration. Working with constituents and our fellow river advocates, CCE built upon existing relationships and forged new ones with powerful Congressional members and staff. Immediate results for clean water were gained from the collective lobbying on Capitol Hill with Congressman King (R-NY) and 7 others becoming immediate co-sponsors to the Sewage Right-to-Know bill. The River Reception honored champions for clean water and flowing rivers with Adrienne Esposito, CCE Executive Director, presenting Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY) with (Formal name of the award-sorry Josh).

River advocates converging on Capitol Hill renews the perennial advocate's spirit while inspiring and advancing protections to protect what we value most-healthy lives and healthy water.