[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 65 (Thursday, May 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E878-E879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING DAN KEIFER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2011

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an environmental 
leader from Southeastern Michigan, Dan Keifer, as he retires from the 
Clinton River Watershed Council after 10 years of dedicated service to 
the Clinton River watershed.
  Those of us who represent urban watersheds know that the health of 
the waterways that flow through our communities are often measured in 
terms of specific indicators. A recovering river has fewer beach 
closings, declining e-coli pollution counts, and less bank erosion and 
sedimentation. A recovering river also shows restoration of native 
riparian vegetation, improved habitat, healthier stream flows, and the 
return of a wide variety of fish and other aquatic organisms. All of 
these watershed characteristics are measurable.
  Another quality of recovering waterways is harder to directly 
measure, but is no less essential. Recovering rivers and streams 
invariably have people who take the time and trouble to care for them 
and work on their behalf. Without such public advocates, water quality 
improvements simply don't happen. Dan Keifer has been a powerful 
advocate and force for good in the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair 
watersheds. He has been an invaluable asset to the Watershed Council's 
mission to protect, enhance, and celebrate the Clinton River, its 
watershed, and Lake St. Clair.
  Dan joined the Clinton River Watershed Council staff in 2002 and has 
served as that organization's Development Director and, later, as the 
Community Outreach Coordinator. Along the way, Dan has coordinated 
countless projects, meetings, and outreach efforts in support of water 
quality in our area. In 2008, Dan was awarded the National 
Distinguished Service Award for Trout Unlimited for his work in 
coordinating the Watershed Council's Coldwater Conservation Project.
  Dan has also been an important part of my own office's water quality 
work, including efforts to support the new Great Lakes Restoration 
Initiative and deploy resources from that program in the watershed. He 
has worked with my office on everything from grants, to efforts to 
battle the invasive Asian carp, to the emerging partnership to carry 
out the recommendations of the Lake St. Clair Management Plan. Through 
it all, Dan has been an invaluable resource to my office.
  Over the years, Dan has traveled the length and breadth of the 
watershed to speak to groups and relate the 10,000-year history of the 
Clinton River Watershed, telling the story about the progress that has 
been made from the days when the Clinton River was one of

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the most polluted rivers in Michigan to today when the trout and salmon 
have returned. He speaks of what is needed going forward to fully 
restore the Clinton River and address the challenges confronting this 
urban waterway. This is an important story. In the truest sense, Dan 
has been the voice for the Clinton River.
  Dan and his wife Heidi are moving to the Washington area to take up 
their responsibilities as grandparents. On behalf of myself, my staff, 
and everyone who has benefitted from his work, I am so pleased to join 
with the entire community in paying tribute to his achievements and 
thank him for his years of service to the watershed.

                          ____________________