We're Gonna Try Something Here

A Fund Raiser

Big thanks to Jake Whitcomb of Brighter Planet (http://www.brighterplanet.com/) for helping to get this together. Yes, this trip is expensive, about $700 per person (food, gas, float planes). We wanted to come up with a way to help off-set our personal expenses and at the same time keep with the spirit of Riversenses. On the right side bar is a tool for donors to contribute money through a Paypal account. Our goal is a modest $1000. The first bit will go to off-set our carbon footprint from driving, flying, etc. Jake has broken it down here.

Total emissions (initial estimate)- 5.79 tons of CO2 which is $70 of off-sets from Brighter Planet

-4660 miles Eric Boomer's (trip photographer) flight (Seattle, WA to Burlington, VT)- 2.08 tons CO2e
-8000 miles (max) of driving between three cars, one which is coming from Asheville, NC on biodiesel (assuming 23mpg avg)- 3.45 tons CO2e
-380 miles flown (small plane, 1 Beaver, 1 Otter)- 0.25 tons CO2e
-30 lbs. waste, plastics & paper (max)- 0.01 tons CO2e

Remember, this is only a preliminary estimate of our major CO2 sources. After the trip we will update these calculations because we have most likely missed something or there is an unexpected CO2 emitting occurrence.

After enough money is raised for off-sets, we will split the rest 50/50 between our expenses and donating to a Filipino micro-hydro project. Website link is below to check out this cool sustainable development project.

http://www.greenempowerment.org/home-mainmenu-1/161.html?task=view

As the thermometer says, donors over $50 will receive a CD with pictures of the Romaine River Expedition, local sturgeon recipes, and anything else cool we can find for them. Please help support our expedition and in doing so also make a difference around the world. -Fred

Vermont Natural Resource Council video on affects of dams on streams

A short 4 minute informatve video outlining affects of dams on streams-

http://www.vnrc.org/article/view/21876/1/604/

Alliance Romaine nearing the end of their journey

The four canoeists who have been on the Romaine River since mid-July are nearing the end of their epic 48 day adventure. The Chercher Le Courant blog has just posted video of some of their trip and they are working hard on a documentary about the project. Hats of to them and wish them a safe last few days on the river.

Visit- http://www.chercherlecourant.org/ to see the video.

The blog is french, but the jist of the lastest posts is that things are well, the portaging has been difficult recently around le bassin du Murailles, they have a met up with a raft with people from Sierra Club Quebec, Fondation Rivières, la Société pour Vaincre la Pollution, and Nature Québec, and they have the blues becuase their trip is almost over. The other big news was how fast they got a replacement video camera from Montreal to the Romaine Expedition. It may seem frivolous, but they have been showing segments weekly on Chercher Le Courant as well as filming a documentary with Denis McCready. Lots of Quebecers are watching!!

Alliance Romaine Website-
http://allianceromaine.wordpress.com/

Large Scale Hydro and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions from man made reservoirs is a hotly contested debate these days in the scientific and hydroelectric communities. The extent to which hydro projects contribute to global warming verses other types of generation is not fully understood. Research is ongoing throughout the world, especially in India, Brazil, and Canada. Hydro-Quebec in conjunction with McGill University, the Université du Québec à Montréal, Environment Canada and Environnement Illimité inc. is studying the Eastmain 1 reservoir. Here are two links to two differing viewpoints on the matter, but they seem to be the best information I can find now. Have a look and any comments of interested parties would be greatly appreciated.

International Rivers Article-
http://internationalrivers.org/files/FizzyScience2006.pdf

International Hydropower Association FAQ sheet-
http://www.adb.org/Water/Topics/Dams/pdf/Emissions-from-reservoirs.pdf

Romaine River- Gearing up for the trip

The team is assembling for the Romaine River. We are leaving Vermont September 1st and flying in September 2nd (weather-permitting) for a week of Basse Cote-Nord river running.

Fred Coriell

John Grace

Boyce Greer

Jake Whitcomb

Willy Kern and Eric Boomer








Greg "sweet action" Hanlon-











Toby MacDermott








We have also been in contact with a couple of interesting river folk who have been gracious in giving information about the river. Jason Miller who ran the river a few years ago has sent some great photos of his trip in 2005. Also Boreal Rivers a new rafting company who will begin doing trips on the Magpie next year.

What a great view!!!

Found this on the HQ website on the "Guided Tours" page. Wonderful, isn't it?