Save Maumee Grassroots Organization

ALL our work to date has been accomplished through
100% volunteerism and the kindness of strangers

• Research began in 2001

• Projects, Remediation & Advocacy began in 2005

• Joined forces with Lake Erie Waterkeeper in March, 2012

• "Save Maumee Grassroots Organization Board of Trustees"
                      were elected by our Members in May, 2013
   

• ...Working on riverbank projects, programming & nonprofit status in 2013 
  
  
           Current Gracious Fiscal Sponsorship by Heartland Communities Inc.

Save Maumee program was formed to create awareness about the conditions of the three rivers in Fort Wayne, Indiana, while facilitating ecosystem restoration projects; to improve the stream health of the Maumee and the waters downstream, that outlet into Lake Erie.

 Ultimately, we attempt to repair and improve the St. Joe, St. Mary, and Maumee Rivers while working to reverse years of pollution. Revitalizing the St. Joe/Maumee Watershed will protect and restore the environment, while improving the economic, aesthetic and recreational value of our rivers.

We are organizing hands-on projects that place a high priority on erosion control techniques.  Native plants help to slow down runoff and erosion, which lead to sedimentation in our rivers. 
Sedimentation remains the #1 pollutant nationally.

We focus on the Maumee because the St. Joe and the St. Mary's come together to form the Maumee headwaters in Fort Wayne, IN - the most populated city in the Upper Maumee Watershed

The Maumee River is the largest and longest contributing stream to the Great Lakes in the United States!
 

Up to 80% of a streams water quality is inherited at its headwaters.

The Maumee River empties into Lake Erie via the Western Basin

                READ about Save Maumee, "Org. of the Year 2011" HERE

Like us on Face Book

Our goal is safe fishable, swimmable water.

Fort Wayne, Indiana ~ The Summit City ~ Known for it's 3 Rivers

• Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO's) discharge directly into Fort Wayne Rivers between 70-80 times per year
   

• Variances and tax incentives are given to manufacturing
  but not to protection of the land draining into our rivers
   

• 24% of Fort Wayne's tree canopy is being removed due to the Emerald Ash Borer
   

• American Electric Power is removing trees that are in the right of way of their power poles
   

• 10.5 miles of levees surround our 3 rivers in downtown Fort Wayne, and the Army Corps of Engineers are removing trees and shrubs 15 feet from ALL levees.
   

• More pavement and concrete cause more runoff into sewers, removal of vegetation also removes a natural water filter
   

• Public areas are over-mowed during drought periods, while Raingardens are promoted - both using citizen dollars
   

• Half-a-million-dollars of Legacy $ is currently being spent to research how to bring business and "downtown river development" to 8 miles of downtown rivers
   

• 2013 Fort Wayne Three Rivers Raft Race and RiverFest have concerns; The rivers are more of a liability than an asset
   

• St. Joseph Municipal Beach is no longer appropriate due to pollution and related illness.
   

• EPA & IDEM REPORTS and our Allen County Comprehensive Plan HERE

REMEMBER: IF it harms water quality, it is a bad idea

The Maumee River remains on the 303 (d) list for impaired water

(Integrated  Report 2010). 
Other impaired beneficial use means:

         1. restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption
2. tainting of fish and wildlife
3. degradation of fish wildlife populations
4. fish tumors or other deformities
5. bird of animal deformities or reproduction problems
6. degradation of benthos-collection of organisms living on the lake/river bottom
7. restrictions on dredging activities
8. eutrophication or undesirable algae
9. restrictions on drinking water consumption, or taste and odor problems
10. beach closings and limited recreational activities
11. degradation of aesthetics
12. added costs to agriculture or industry
13. degradation of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations
14. loss of fish and wildlife habitat
(EPA: Area of Concerns, Maumee River, 2010)
 

See Julie's story here: an example of illness caused by our local rivers

Success & Action Call

~ Meetings at Don Hall's Old Gas House -

The FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH - 7PM-8:30PM sharp
Free coffee and tea will be served.
CLICK FOR DIRECTIONS
305 E. Superior St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802

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Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor also realizes the importance of protecting the environment, also protects the history and heritage of the Maumee!

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Hold Upper Maumee Watershed Partnership accountable.  When the Watershed Management Plan is completed in 2014, implementation of that plan should be started immediately.
Save Maumee is represented as one vote, among many, for your waterways! Come and be another vote for clean water!
Join Us - www.uppermaumeewatershed.com 
More action, less talk

 

     River restoration is a necessity, not a luxury. U.S. citizens depend on the services that healthy streams and rivers provide.

Let's all join together! Please invest in Natural Capital!

Read Save Maumee's Past Accomplishments Page
Success from Grassroots UP!

Please email Abigail King or call if you have any questions or comments.
 

Save Maumee Produced Information

• 2009 Save Maumee Brochure
   
• 2010 Washington D.C. Fact Sheet
   
• 2011 Save Maumee Newsletter
   
• 2012 Washington D.C. Fact Sheet
   
• 2013 Information Brochure
   
• Current Save Maumee Project Blog Post
   

CLICK for Save Maumee 2012 Advocacy

"To preserve, protect, and improve the watersheds, waters, and fish of Lake Erie, The Great Lakes' warmest, shallowest, most biologically productive lake, and to increase public awareness through collaboration, education and advocacy."
- Lake Erie Waterkeeper Mission Statement
 

The activist is not the one who says the river is dirty, but the one who cleans it up. ~Ross Perot

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean;
But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. ~ Mother Theresa