[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
where does your drinking water come from
where does your drinking water come from where does it go what happens to it
where does it go what happens to it
where does it go what happens to it before it gets to you now is your
before it gets to you now is your
before it gets to you now is your Savannah River keeper that’s a question
Savannah River keeper that’s a question
Savannah River keeper that’s a question that I’ve asked hundreds if not
that I’ve asked hundreds if not
that I’ve asked hundreds if not thousands of times throughout the years
thousands of times throughout the years
thousands of times throughout the years and the answers are as varied as the
and the answers are as varied as the
and the answers are as varied as the people that I get to deal with sometimes
people that I get to deal with sometimes
people that I get to deal with sometimes I hear the sink the ocean the sky
I hear the sink the ocean the sky
I hear the sink the ocean the sky dinosaurs well for most of us in the
dinosaurs well for most of us in the
dinosaurs well for most of us in the room the answer is the Savannah River a
room the answer is the Savannah River a
room the answer is the Savannah River a river that supplies 1.5 million people
river that supplies 1.5 million people
river that supplies 1.5 million people with its drinking water every single day
with its drinking water every single day
with its drinking water every single day it goes through three large lakes
it goes through three large lakes
it goes through three large lakes reservoirs is shared between two states
reservoirs is shared between two states
reservoirs is shared between two states has 48 industrial and municipal outfalls
has 48 industrial and municipal outfalls
has 48 industrial and municipal outfalls has the first nuclear power plant to
has the first nuclear power plant to
has the first nuclear power plant to expand in 38 years it’s the home of the
expand in 38 years it’s the home of the
expand in 38 years it’s the home of the atomic bomb and all the relic
atomic bomb and all the relic
atomic bomb and all the relic contamination that goes along with it
contamination that goes along with it
contamination that goes along with it and the third largest port in the United
and the third largest port in the United
and the third largest port in the United States so your drinking water gets
States so your drinking water gets
States so your drinking water gets around a lot I get asked all of the time
around a lot I get asked all of the time
around a lot I get asked all of the time what is the single largest issue facing
what is the single largest issue facing
what is the single largest issue facing the Savannah River the answer is simple
the Savannah River the answer is simple
the Savannah River the answer is simple lack of awareness now why is that why
lack of awareness now why is that why
lack of awareness now why is that why don’t we get it do we not understand
don’t we get it do we not understand
don’t we get it do we not understand that our drinking water comes from the
that our drinking water comes from the
that our drinking water comes from the Savannah River do we not understand that
Savannah River do we not understand that
Savannah River do we not understand that we need that water to thrive that our
we need that water to thrive that our
we need that water to thrive that our economy needs it that we need it for our
economy needs it that we need it for our
economy needs it that we need it for our health what is it about water that we
health what is it about water that we
health what is it about water that we don’t stay educated what is it that
don’t stay educated what is it that
don’t stay educated what is it that keeps us from acting when we need to
keeps us from acting when we need to
keeps us from acting when we need to well I think the answer is that for far
well I think the answer is that for far
well I think the answer is that for far too long we’ve allowed water to be an
too long we’ve allowed water to be an
too long we’ve allowed water to be an environmental issue and the cold hard
environmental issue and the cold hard
environmental issue and the cold hard facts are environmental issues turn
facts are environmental issues turn
facts are environmental issues turn people off a lot of people but I’m your
people off a lot of people but I’m your
people off a lot of people but I’m your river keeper my job is to get you to
river keeper my job is to get you to
river keeper my job is to get you to care about our water so I don’t have a
care about our water so I don’t have a
care about our water so I don’t have a choice we don’t have a choice so over
choice we don’t have a choice so over
choice we don’t have a choice so over the last couple of years we’ve developed
the last couple of years we’ve developed
the last couple of years we’ve developed a couple of tactics to try and combat
a couple of tactics to try and combat
a couple of tactics to try and combat these issues to try to get people to pay
these issues to try to get people to pay
these issues to try to get people to pay attention and to act
attention and to act
attention and to act in 2016 we got a call at the office
in 2016 we got a call at the office
in 2016 we got a call at the office turns out there was a lady in rural Bart
turns out there was a lady in rural Bart
turns out there was a lady in rural Bart County Georgia that had a notice on her
County Georgia that had a notice on her
County Georgia that had a notice on her front doorstep that notice was for a
front doorstep that notice was for a
front doorstep that notice was for a survey that was coming through for a new
survey that was coming through for a new
survey that was coming through for a new pipeline now it turned out that pipeline
pipeline now it turned out that pipeline
pipeline now it turned out that pipeline was three hundred and sixty miles long
was three hundred and sixty miles long
was three hundred and sixty miles long it started in Belton South Carolina ran
it started in Belton South Carolina ran
it started in Belton South Carolina ran the parallel with the river crossed in
the parallel with the river crossed in
the parallel with the river crossed in Augusta parallel on the Georgia side
Augusta parallel on the Georgia side
Augusta parallel on the Georgia side down to Savannah along the Georgia coast
down to Savannah along the Georgia coast
down to Savannah along the Georgia coast and into Jacksonville not only was it
and into Jacksonville not only was it
and into Jacksonville not only was it going to cross through the swamps and
going to cross through the swamps and
going to cross through the swamps and under the river the Savannah but the
under the river the Savannah but the
under the river the Savannah but the other five great coastal rivers in
other five great coastal rivers in
other five great coastal rivers in Georgia they made it very clear from the
Georgia they made it very clear from the
Georgia they made it very clear from the very beginning that if the landowners
very beginning that if the landowners
very beginning that if the landowners didn’t want to give the land they were
didn’t want to give the land they were
didn’t want to give the land they were going to take it and they were going to
going to take it and they were going to
going to take it and they were going to do all of this in the names of saving
do all of this in the names of saving
do all of this in the names of saving money and creating jobs both of which by
money and creating jobs both of which by
money and creating jobs both of which by the way turned out not to be true so oh
the way turned out not to be true so oh
the way turned out not to be true so oh and the other thing that’s fun is there
and the other thing that’s fun is there
and the other thing that’s fun is there was one of two hearings for the 360 long
was one of two hearings for the 360 long
was one of two hearings for the 360 long pipe mile pipeline and it was next week
pipe mile pipeline and it was next week
pipe mile pipeline and it was next week so we did what we have done in
so we did what we have done in
so we did what we have done in riverkeeper many times over because we
riverkeeper many times over because we
riverkeeper many times over because we looked we have landowners that need help
looked we have landowners that need help
looked we have landowners that need help we have the media we have citizens that
we have the media we have citizens that
we have the media we have citizens that need answers we have a river that needs
need answers we have a river that needs
need answers we have a river that needs us we went into crisis mode crisis mode
us we went into crisis mode crisis mode
us we went into crisis mode crisis mode for us means one trying to figure out
for us means one trying to figure out
for us means one trying to figure out what in the world are we dealing with in
what in the world are we dealing with in
what in the world are we dealing with in this incidence that meant trying to
this incidence that meant trying to
this incidence that meant trying to become an expert in petroleum pipelines
become an expert in petroleum pipelines
become an expert in petroleum pipelines in one week is there something that we
in one week is there something that we
in one week is there something that we need to do about it and if so how are we
need to do about it and if so how are we
need to do about it and if so how are we going to get there so for us the answer
going to get there so for us the answer
going to get there so for us the answer usually is coalition building and
usually is coalition building and
usually is coalition building and communications and we’ve developed some
communications and we’ve developed some
communications and we’ve developed some rules that we try to follow number one
rules that we try to follow number one
rules that we try to follow number one meeting people where they are and
meeting people where they are and
meeting people where they are and speaking and their value set chances are
speaking and their value set chances are
speaking and their value set chances are you’ve heard of love languages right
you’ve heard of love languages right
you’ve heard of love languages right this is how you’re supposed to speak to
this is how you’re supposed to speak to
this is how you’re supposed to speak to your spouse to get them to understand to
your spouse to get them to understand to
your spouse to get them to understand to get them to connect
get them to connect
get them to connect I am a acts of service person maybe you
I am a acts of service person maybe you
I am a acts of service person maybe you are a gift giver or a words of
are a gift giver or a words of
are a gift giver or a words of affirmation look it up it’s the same
affirmation look it up it’s the same
affirmation look it up it’s the same thing here you have to speak to people
thing here you have to speak to people
thing here you have to speak to people in a value set that they understand
in a value set that they understand
in a value set that they understand I’ll give you an example traditional
I’ll give you an example traditional
I’ll give you an example traditional river speak the rivers must be
river speak the rivers must be
river speak the rivers must be free-flowing for all of the birds in the
free-flowing for all of the birds in the
free-flowing for all of the birds in the fish right the spotted owl and the
fish right the spotted owl and the
fish right the spotted owl and the daughter are more important than
daughter are more important than
daughter are more important than everything else climate change is real
everything else climate change is real
everything else climate change is real now what about the other 90% the ones
now what about the other 90% the ones
now what about the other 90% the ones that are worried about the economy over
that are worried about the economy over
that are worried about the economy over the birds they’re worried about their
the birds they’re worried about their
the birds they’re worried about their jobs over the spotted owl their children
jobs over the spotted owl their children
jobs over the spotted owl their children over the fish well we don’t have a
over the fish well we don’t have a
over the fish well we don’t have a choice we have to connect with those
choice we have to connect with those
choice we have to connect with those people so what we found is by adapting
people so what we found is by adapting
people so what we found is by adapting our language just a little bit by using
our language just a little bit by using
our language just a little bit by using words slightly differently we can get
words slightly differently we can get
words slightly differently we can get people to connect I’ll give you an
people to connect I’ll give you an
people to connect I’ll give you an example fishing chances are maybe that
example fishing chances are maybe that
example fishing chances are maybe that made you think of a time that you were
made you think of a time that you were
made you think of a time that you were with your grandfather sitting at the
with your grandfather sitting at the
with your grandfather sitting at the ocean or on a lake and a hot summer day
ocean or on a lake and a hot summer day
ocean or on a lake and a hot summer day and you were catching more family
and you were catching more family
and you were catching more family history than you were anything on your
history than you were anything on your
history than you were anything on your line birding maybe that makes you think
line birding maybe that makes you think
line birding maybe that makes you think of the first Cardinal that shows up in
of the first Cardinal that shows up in
of the first Cardinal that shows up in spring reminds you of a friend that you
spring reminds you of a friend that you
spring reminds you of a friend that you lost in the past coming to say hello or
lost in the past coming to say hello or
lost in the past coming to say hello or the fact that winter is almost over
the fact that winter is almost over
the fact that winter is almost over spring is on its way
spring is on its way
spring is on its way drinking from the faucet or not if you
drinking from the faucet or not if you
drinking from the faucet or not if you were here after Hurricane Matthew and
were here after Hurricane Matthew and
were here after Hurricane Matthew and the water wasn’t running or imagine
the water wasn’t running or imagine
the water wasn’t running or imagine turning it on one day and it’s salty so
turning it on one day and it’s salty so
turning it on one day and it’s salty so we had a problem a big problem we had a
we had a problem a big problem we had a
we had a problem a big problem we had a 360 mile long pipeline a hearing in a
360 mile long pipeline a hearing in a
360 mile long pipeline a hearing in a week and we had to get people to pay
week and we had to get people to pay
week and we had to get people to pay attention really quickly so we decided
attention really quickly so we decided
attention really quickly so we decided to do well we’ve done many times in the
to do well we’ve done many times in the
to do well we’ve done many times in the past and that is focused on the one
past and that is focused on the one
past and that is focused on the one issue first at hand and that was
issue first at hand and that was
issue first at hand and that was property rights so we decided at the
property rights so we decided at the
property rights so we decided at the very beginning to let the land run and
very beginning to let the land run and
very beginning to let the land run and let the river take a back seat
let the river take a back seat
let the river take a back seat the second thing focus on your
the second thing focus on your
the second thing focus on your similarities and not your differences
similarities and not your differences
similarities and not your differences right so I’ll give you a good example
right so I’ll give you a good example
right so I’ll give you a good example this is this is a hard one because it
this is this is a hard one because it
this is this is a hard one because it requires you putting your ego to the
requires you putting your ego to the
requires you putting your ego to the side and letting go of words that mean a
side and letting go of words that mean a
side and letting go of words that mean a lot to you a good example for me would
lot to you a good example for me would
lot to you a good example for me would be environmentalism environmentalists
be environmentalism environmentalists
be environmentalism environmentalists climate change
climate change
climate change mobile warming now do I believe that we
mobile warming now do I believe that we
mobile warming now do I believe that we need to stop petroleum pipelines from
need to stop petroleum pipelines from
need to stop petroleum pipelines from expanding in the United States because
expanding in the United States because
expanding in the United States because we have to stop our reliance on fossil
we have to stop our reliance on fossil
we have to stop our reliance on fossil fuel and if we don’t we’re going to burn
fuel and if we don’t we’re going to burn
fuel and if we don’t we’re going to burn the damn earth up yes I do but one my
the damn earth up yes I do but one my
the damn earth up yes I do but one my job was not to solve climate change it
job was not to solve climate change it
job was not to solve climate change it was to protect my River and to the
was to protect my River and to the
was to protect my River and to the people that needed us the people that we
people that needed us the people that we
people that needed us the people that we needed didn’t necessarily believe in
needed didn’t necessarily believe in
needed didn’t necessarily believe in climate change so what did we do we
climate change so what did we do we
climate change so what did we do we focused on the one thing that we all had
focused on the one thing that we all had
focused on the one thing that we all had in common the land the land owners
in common the land the land owners
in common the land the land owners didn’t want it right the only people
didn’t want it right the only people
didn’t want it right the only people that wanted to take the land was the oil
that wanted to take the land was the oil
that wanted to take the land was the oil company the land owners they didn’t want
company the land owners they didn’t want
company the land owners they didn’t want it because they want to keep their land
it because they want to keep their land
it because they want to keep their land the competing oil companies didn’t want
the competing oil companies didn’t want
the competing oil companies didn’t want it because to be honest with you it’s an
it because to be honest with you it’s an
it because to be honest with you it’s an unfair business practice that they told
unfair business practice that they told
unfair business practice that they told they didn’t get to use that’s an unfair
they didn’t get to use that’s an unfair
they didn’t get to use that’s an unfair economic advantage and the third was
economic advantage and the third was
economic advantage and the third was citizens because it is just downright on
citizens because it is just downright on
citizens because it is just downright on Americans to take somebody’s land and
Americans to take somebody’s land and
Americans to take somebody’s land and give it to a private company for private
give it to a private company for private
give it to a private company for private profit so we stuck to the one thing that
profit so we stuck to the one thing that
profit so we stuck to the one thing that we had in common
we had in common
we had in common no eminent domain for private gain and
no eminent domain for private gain and
no eminent domain for private gain and we ran with it now a word of advice when
we ran with it now a word of advice when
we ran with it now a word of advice when you are creating your coalition if you
you are creating your coalition if you
you are creating your coalition if you look around and everybody in that
look around and everybody in that
look around and everybody in that coalition thinks the exact same way that
coalition thinks the exact same way that
coalition thinks the exact same way that you do you have an echo chamber not a
you do you have an echo chamber not a
you do you have an echo chamber not a coalition and you’ve lost touch the
coalition and you’ve lost touch the
coalition and you’ve lost touch the third thing is to take non-traditional
third thing is to take non-traditional
third thing is to take non-traditional your non-traditional partners and
your non-traditional partners and
your non-traditional partners and amplify your collective message through
amplify your collective message through
amplify your collective message through their voice make position makers that
their voice make position makers that
their voice make position makers that are not you put yourself in the back
are not you put yourself in the back
are not you put yourself in the back seat if it’s required I’ll give you a
seat if it’s required I’ll give you a
seat if it’s required I’ll give you a good example if anybody’s interested I
good example if anybody’s interested I
good example if anybody’s interested I could talk about the economics of the
could talk about the economics of the
could talk about the economics of the oil industry for way longer than I care
oil industry for way longer than I care
oil industry for way longer than I care to think about but it sounds a lot
to think about but it sounds a lot
to think about but it sounds a lot better if it’s coming from an oil
better if it’s coming from an oil
better if it’s coming from an oil executive right the main way that you
executive right the main way that you
executive right the main way that you focus on your similarities focus on that
focus on your similarities focus on that
focus on your similarities focus on that one message slightly adapt it no eminent
one message slightly adapt it no eminent
one message slightly adapt it no eminent domain for private gain it’s not needed
domain for private gain it’s not needed
domain for private gain it’s not needed we don’t want it it’s not
we don’t want it it’s not
we don’t want it it’s not worth the risk kind of like the time
worth the risk kind of like the time
worth the risk kind of like the time that a large landowner slash media mogul
that a large landowner slash media mogul
that a large landowner slash media mogul a small home-ground
a small home-ground
a small home-ground oil company a group of river keepers
oil company a group of river keepers
oil company a group of river keepers banded together took on the largest
banded together took on the largest
banded together took on the largest pipeline company in the world and
pipeline company in the world and
pipeline company in the world and stopped the project in its tracks
stopped the project in its tracks
stopped the project in its tracks the other thing that you have to do is
the other thing that you have to do is
the other thing that you have to do is focus on your similarities collectively
focus on your similarities collectively
focus on your similarities collectively and do not let others focus on your
and do not let others focus on your
and do not let others focus on your differences I must ask answered the
differences I must ask answered the
differences I must ask answered the question a hundred times from the media
question a hundred times from the media
question a hundred times from the media why this weird group of people why this
why this weird group of people why this
why this weird group of people why this non-traditional group I answered that
non-traditional group I answered that
non-traditional group I answered that question in the exact same way every
question in the exact same way every
question in the exact same way every single time it wasn’t a weird group it
single time it wasn’t a weird group it
single time it wasn’t a weird group it wasn’t a non-traditional group or the
wasn’t a non-traditional group or the
wasn’t a non-traditional group or the wrong ones
wrong ones
wrong ones it was exactly the right ones so today
it was exactly the right ones so today
it was exactly the right ones so today the palmetto pipeline is no longer a
the palmetto pipeline is no longer a
the palmetto pipeline is no longer a project it no longer exists but the
project it no longer exists but the
project it no longer exists but the coalition that came together not only
coalition that came together not only
coalition that came together not only stopped a pipeline but we changed the
stopped a pipeline but we changed the
stopped a pipeline but we changed the law in South Carolina and Georgia
law in South Carolina and Georgia
law in South Carolina and Georgia greatly strengthening the eminent domain
greatly strengthening the eminent domain
greatly strengthening the eminent domain laws greatly strengthening the
laws greatly strengthening the
laws greatly strengthening the environmental oversight what we did
environmental oversight what we did
environmental oversight what we did together was take the power back and
together was take the power back and
together was take the power back and give it to the landowners and the people
give it to the landowners and the people
give it to the landowners and the people we did that by focusing on people’s
we did that by focusing on people’s
we did that by focusing on people’s value sets the value sets of the folks
value sets the value sets of the folks
value sets the value sets of the folks that needed us and that we needed and
that needed us and that we needed and
that needed us and that we needed and catering our message to them
catering our message to them
catering our message to them and we always worked with the
and we always worked with the
and we always worked with the non-traditional partners we always have
non-traditional partners we always have
non-traditional partners we always have and we get over the fact that we won’t
and we get over the fact that we won’t
and we get over the fact that we won’t always agree and I’ll tell you one thing
always agree and I’ll tell you one thing
always agree and I’ll tell you one thing that we’ve found over the years is the
that we’ve found over the years is the
that we’ve found over the years is the more that we focus on our similarities
more that we focus on our similarities
more that we focus on our similarities we find out that those differences
we find out that those differences
we find out that those differences aren’t nearly as different as we thought
aren’t nearly as different as we thought
aren’t nearly as different as we thought so at Riverkeeper by using these over
so at Riverkeeper by using these over
so at Riverkeeper by using these over the years we have found that we bring
the years we have found that we bring
the years we have found that we bring more people together that enables not
more people together that enables not
more people together that enables not only more short-term success but it also
only more short-term success but it also
only more short-term success but it also greatly sets the stage for the paradigm
greatly sets the stage for the paradigm
greatly sets the stage for the paradigm shift that will greatly protect the
shift that will greatly protect the
shift that will greatly protect the river in the future and get everybody to
river in the future and get everybody to
river in the future and get everybody to start paying attention so good news it’s
start paying attention so good news it’s
start paying attention so good news it’s now your turn so I want you to get out
now your turn so I want you to get out
now your turn so I want you to get out there work with your neighbors work with
there work with your neighbors work with
there work with your neighbors work with your friends damn your differences
your friends damn your differences
your friends damn your differences it’s not always going to be easy it’s
it’s not always going to be easy it’s
it’s not always going to be easy it’s not always going to be fun but I can
not always going to be fun but I can
not always going to be fun but I can promise you one thing it will be
promise you one thing it will be
promise you one thing it will be exciting and together you just might
exciting and together you just might
exciting and together you just might find that you win thank you
[Applause] [Music]
where does your drinking water come from
where does your drinking water come from where does it go what happens to it
where does it go what happens to it
where does it go what happens to it before it gets to you now is your
before it gets to you now is your
before it gets to you now is your Savannah River keeper that’s a question
Savannah River keeper that’s a question
Savannah River keeper that’s a question that I’ve asked hundreds if not
that I’ve asked hundreds if not
that I’ve asked hundreds if not thousands of times throughout the years
thousands of times throughout the years
thousands of times throughout the years and the answers are as varied as the
and the answers are as varied as the
and the answers are as varied as the people that I get to deal with sometimes
people that I get to deal with sometimes
people that I get to deal with sometimes I hear the sink the ocean the sky
I hear the sink the ocean the sky
I hear the sink the ocean the sky dinosaurs well for most of us in the
dinosaurs well for most of us in the
dinosaurs well for most of us in the room the answer is the Savannah River a
room the answer is the Savannah River a
room the answer is the Savannah River a river that supplies 1.5 million people
river that supplies 1.5 million people
river that supplies 1.5 million people with its drinking water every single day
with its drinking water every single day
with its drinking water every single day it goes through three large lakes
it goes through three large lakes
it goes through three large lakes reservoirs is shared between two states
reservoirs is shared between two states
reservoirs is shared between two states has 48 industrial and municipal outfalls
has 48 industrial and municipal outfalls
has 48 industrial and municipal outfalls has the first nuclear power plant to
has the first nuclear power plant to
has the first nuclear power plant to expand in 38 years it’s the home of the
expand in 38 years it’s the home of the
expand in 38 years it’s the home of the atomic bomb and all the relic
atomic bomb and all the relic
atomic bomb and all the relic contamination that goes along with it
contamination that goes along with it
contamination that goes along with it and the third largest port in the United
and the third largest port in the United
and the third largest port in the United States so your drinking water gets
States so your drinking water gets
States so your drinking water gets around a lot I get asked all of the time
around a lot I get asked all of the time
around a lot I get asked all of the time what is the single largest issue facing
what is the single largest issue facing
what is the single largest issue facing the Savannah River the answer is simple
the Savannah River the answer is simple
the Savannah River the answer is simple lack of awareness now why is that why
lack of awareness now why is that why
lack of awareness now why is that why don’t we get it do we not understand
don’t we get it do we not understand
don’t we get it do we not understand that our drinking water comes from the
that our drinking water comes from the
that our drinking water comes from the Savannah River do we not understand that
Savannah River do we not understand that
Savannah River do we not understand that we need that water to thrive that our
we need that water to thrive that our
we need that water to thrive that our economy needs it that we need it for our
economy needs it that we need it for our
economy needs it that we need it for our health what is it about water that we
health what is it about water that we
health what is it about water that we don’t stay educated what is it that
don’t stay educated what is it that
don’t stay educated what is it that keeps us from acting when we need to
keeps us from acting when we need to
keeps us from acting when we need to well I think the answer is that for far
well I think the answer is that for far
well I think the answer is that for far too long we’ve allowed water to be an
too long we’ve allowed water to be an
too long we’ve allowed water to be an environmental issue and the cold hard
environmental issue and the cold hard
environmental issue and the cold hard facts are environmental issues turn
facts are environmental issues turn
facts are environmental issues turn people off a lot of people but I’m your
people off a lot of people but I’m your
people off a lot of people but I’m your river keeper my job is to get you to
river keeper my job is to get you to
river keeper my job is to get you to care about our water so I don’t have a
care about our water so I don’t have a
care about our water so I don’t have a choice we don’t have a choice so over
choice we don’t have a choice so over
choice we don’t have a choice so over the last couple of years we’ve developed
the last couple of years we’ve developed
the last couple of years we’ve developed a couple of tactics to try and combat
a couple of tactics to try and combat
a couple of tactics to try and combat these issues to try to get people to pay
these issues to try to get people to pay
these issues to try to get people to pay attention and to act
attention and to act
attention and to act in 2016 we got a call at the office
in 2016 we got a call at the office
in 2016 we got a call at the office turns out there was a lady in rural Bart
turns out there was a lady in rural Bart
turns out there was a lady in rural Bart County Georgia that had a notice on her
County Georgia that had a notice on her
County Georgia that had a notice on her front doorstep that notice was for a
front doorstep that notice was for a
front doorstep that notice was for a survey that was coming through for a new
survey that was coming through for a new
survey that was coming through for a new pipeline now it turned out that pipeline
pipeline now it turned out that pipeline
pipeline now it turned out that pipeline was three hundred and sixty miles long
was three hundred and sixty miles long
was three hundred and sixty miles long it started in Belton South Carolina ran
it started in Belton South Carolina ran
it started in Belton South Carolina ran the parallel with the river crossed in
the parallel with the river crossed in
the parallel with the river crossed in Augusta parallel on the Georgia side
Augusta parallel on the Georgia side
Augusta parallel on the Georgia side down to Savannah along the Georgia coast
down to Savannah along the Georgia coast
down to Savannah along the Georgia coast and into Jacksonville not only was it
and into Jacksonville not only was it
and into Jacksonville not only was it going to cross through the swamps and
going to cross through the swamps and
going to cross through the swamps and under the river the Savannah but the
under the river the Savannah but the
under the river the Savannah but the other five great coastal rivers in
other five great coastal rivers in
other five great coastal rivers in Georgia they made it very clear from the
Georgia they made it very clear from the
Georgia they made it very clear from the very beginning that if the landowners
very beginning that if the landowners
very beginning that if the landowners didn’t want to give the land they were
didn’t want to give the land they were
didn’t want to give the land they were going to take it and they were going to
going to take it and they were going to
going to take it and they were going to do all of this in the names of saving
do all of this in the names of saving
do all of this in the names of saving money and creating jobs both of which by
money and creating jobs both of which by
money and creating jobs both of which by the way turned out not to be true so oh
the way turned out not to be true so oh
the way turned out not to be true so oh and the other thing that’s fun is there
and the other thing that’s fun is there
and the other thing that’s fun is there was one of two hearings for the 360 long
was one of two hearings for the 360 long
was one of two hearings for the 360 long pipe mile pipeline and it was next week
pipe mile pipeline and it was next week
pipe mile pipeline and it was next week so we did what we have done in
so we did what we have done in
so we did what we have done in riverkeeper many times over because we
riverkeeper many times over because we
riverkeeper many times over because we looked we have landowners that need help
looked we have landowners that need help
looked we have landowners that need help we have the media we have citizens that
we have the media we have citizens that
we have the media we have citizens that need answers we have a river that needs
need answers we have a river that needs
need answers we have a river that needs us we went into crisis mode crisis mode
us we went into crisis mode crisis mode
us we went into crisis mode crisis mode for us means one trying to figure out
for us means one trying to figure out
for us means one trying to figure out what in the world are we dealing with in
what in the world are we dealing with in
what in the world are we dealing with in this incidence that meant trying to
this incidence that meant trying to
this incidence that meant trying to become an expert in petroleum pipelines
become an expert in petroleum pipelines
become an expert in petroleum pipelines in one week is there something that we
in one week is there something that we
in one week is there something that we need to do about it and if so how are we
need to do about it and if so how are we
need to do about it and if so how are we going to get there so for us the answer
going to get there so for us the answer
going to get there so for us the answer usually is coalition building and
usually is coalition building and
usually is coalition building and communications and we’ve developed some
communications and we’ve developed some
communications and we’ve developed some rules that we try to follow number one
rules that we try to follow number one
rules that we try to follow number one meeting people where they are and
meeting people where they are and
meeting people where they are and speaking and their value set chances are
speaking and their value set chances are
speaking and their value set chances are you’ve heard of love languages right
you’ve heard of love languages right
you’ve heard of love languages right this is how you’re supposed to speak to
this is how you’re supposed to speak to
this is how you’re supposed to speak to your spouse to get them to understand to
your spouse to get them to understand to
your spouse to get them to understand to get them to connect
get them to connect
get them to connect I am a acts of service person maybe you
I am a acts of service person maybe you
I am a acts of service person maybe you are a gift giver or a words of
are a gift giver or a words of
are a gift giver or a words of affirmation look it up it’s the same
affirmation look it up it’s the same
affirmation look it up it’s the same thing here you have to speak to people
thing here you have to speak to people
thing here you have to speak to people in a value set that they understand
in a value set that they understand
in a value set that they understand I’ll give you an example traditional
I’ll give you an example traditional
I’ll give you an example traditional river speak the rivers must be
river speak the rivers must be
river speak the rivers must be free-flowing for all of the birds in the
free-flowing for all of the birds in the
free-flowing for all of the birds in the fish right the spotted owl and the
fish right the spotted owl and the
fish right the spotted owl and the daughter are more important than
daughter are more important than
daughter are more important than everything else climate change is real
everything else climate change is real
everything else climate change is real now what about the other 90% the ones
now what about the other 90% the ones
now what about the other 90% the ones that are worried about the economy over
that are worried about the economy over
that are worried about the economy over the birds they’re worried about their
the birds they’re worried about their
the birds they’re worried about their jobs over the spotted owl their children
jobs over the spotted owl their children
jobs over the spotted owl their children over the fish well we don’t have a
over the fish well we don’t have a
over the fish well we don’t have a choice we have to connect with those
choice we have to connect with those
choice we have to connect with those people so what we found is by adapting
people so what we found is by adapting
people so what we found is by adapting our language just a little bit by using
our language just a little bit by using
our language just a little bit by using words slightly differently we can get
words slightly differently we can get
words slightly differently we can get people to connect I’ll give you an
people to connect I’ll give you an
people to connect I’ll give you an example fishing chances are maybe that
example fishing chances are maybe that
example fishing chances are maybe that made you think of a time that you were
made you think of a time that you were
made you think of a time that you were with your grandfather sitting at the
with your grandfather sitting at the
with your grandfather sitting at the ocean or on a lake and a hot summer day
ocean or on a lake and a hot summer day
ocean or on a lake and a hot summer day and you were catching more family
and you were catching more family
and you were catching more family history than you were anything on your
history than you were anything on your
history than you were anything on your line birding maybe that makes you think
line birding maybe that makes you think
line birding maybe that makes you think of the first Cardinal that shows up in
of the first Cardinal that shows up in
of the first Cardinal that shows up in spring reminds you of a friend that you
spring reminds you of a friend that you
spring reminds you of a friend that you lost in the past coming to say hello or
lost in the past coming to say hello or
lost in the past coming to say hello or the fact that winter is almost over
the fact that winter is almost over
the fact that winter is almost over spring is on its way
spring is on its way
spring is on its way drinking from the faucet or not if you
drinking from the faucet or not if you
drinking from the faucet or not if you were here after Hurricane Matthew and
were here after Hurricane Matthew and
were here after Hurricane Matthew and the water wasn’t running or imagine
the water wasn’t running or imagine
the water wasn’t running or imagine turning it on one day and it’s salty so
turning it on one day and it’s salty so
turning it on one day and it’s salty so we had a problem a big problem we had a
we had a problem a big problem we had a
we had a problem a big problem we had a 360 mile long pipeline a hearing in a
360 mile long pipeline a hearing in a
360 mile long pipeline a hearing in a week and we had to get people to pay
week and we had to get people to pay
week and we had to get people to pay attention really quickly so we decided
attention really quickly so we decided
attention really quickly so we decided to do well we’ve done many times in the
to do well we’ve done many times in the
to do well we’ve done many times in the past and that is focused on the one
past and that is focused on the one
past and that is focused on the one issue first at hand and that was
issue first at hand and that was
issue first at hand and that was property rights so we decided at the
property rights so we decided at the
property rights so we decided at the very beginning to let the land run and
very beginning to let the land run and
very beginning to let the land run and let the river take a back seat
let the river take a back seat
let the river take a back seat the second thing focus on your
the second thing focus on your
the second thing focus on your similarities and not your differences
similarities and not your differences
similarities and not your differences right so I’ll give you a good example
right so I’ll give you a good example
right so I’ll give you a good example this is this is a hard one because it
this is this is a hard one because it
this is this is a hard one because it requires you putting your ego to the
requires you putting your ego to the
requires you putting your ego to the side and letting go of words that mean a
side and letting go of words that mean a
side and letting go of words that mean a lot to you a good example for me would
lot to you a good example for me would
lot to you a good example for me would be environmentalism environmentalists
be environmentalism environmentalists
be environmentalism environmentalists climate change
climate change
climate change mobile warming now do I believe that we
mobile warming now do I believe that we
mobile warming now do I believe that we need to stop petroleum pipelines from
need to stop petroleum pipelines from
need to stop petroleum pipelines from expanding in the United States because
expanding in the United States because
expanding in the United States because we have to stop our reliance on fossil
we have to stop our reliance on fossil
we have to stop our reliance on fossil fuel and if we don’t we’re going to burn
fuel and if we don’t we’re going to burn
fuel and if we don’t we’re going to burn the damn earth up yes I do but one my
the damn earth up yes I do but one my
the damn earth up yes I do but one my job was not to solve climate change it
job was not to solve climate change it
job was not to solve climate change it was to protect my River and to the
was to protect my River and to the
was to protect my River and to the people that needed us the people that we
people that needed us the people that we
people that needed us the people that we needed didn’t necessarily believe in
needed didn’t necessarily believe in
needed didn’t necessarily believe in climate change so what did we do we
climate change so what did we do we
climate change so what did we do we focused on the one thing that we all had
focused on the one thing that we all had
focused on the one thing that we all had in common the land the land owners
in common the land the land owners
in common the land the land owners didn’t want it right the only people
didn’t want it right the only people
didn’t want it right the only people that wanted to take the land was the oil
that wanted to take the land was the oil
that wanted to take the land was the oil company the land owners they didn’t want
company the land owners they didn’t want
company the land owners they didn’t want it because they want to keep their land
it because they want to keep their land
it because they want to keep their land the competing oil companies didn’t want
the competing oil companies didn’t want
the competing oil companies didn’t want it because to be honest with you it’s an
it because to be honest with you it’s an
it because to be honest with you it’s an unfair business practice that they told
unfair business practice that they told
unfair business practice that they told they didn’t get to use that’s an unfair
they didn’t get to use that’s an unfair
they didn’t get to use that’s an unfair economic advantage and the third was
economic advantage and the third was
economic advantage and the third was citizens because it is just downright on
citizens because it is just downright on
citizens because it is just downright on Americans to take somebody’s land and
Americans to take somebody’s land and
Americans to take somebody’s land and give it to a private company for private
give it to a private company for private
give it to a private company for private profit so we stuck to the one thing that
profit so we stuck to the one thing that
profit so we stuck to the one thing that we had in common
we had in common
we had in common no eminent domain for private gain and
no eminent domain for private gain and
no eminent domain for private gain and we ran with it now a word of advice when
we ran with it now a word of advice when
we ran with it now a word of advice when you are creating your coalition if you
you are creating your coalition if you
you are creating your coalition if you look around and everybody in that
look around and everybody in that
look around and everybody in that coalition thinks the exact same way that
coalition thinks the exact same way that
coalition thinks the exact same way that you do you have an echo chamber not a
you do you have an echo chamber not a
you do you have an echo chamber not a coalition and you’ve lost touch the
coalition and you’ve lost touch the
coalition and you’ve lost touch the third thing is to take non-traditional
third thing is to take non-traditional
third thing is to take non-traditional your non-traditional partners and
your non-traditional partners and
your non-traditional partners and amplify your collective message through
amplify your collective message through
amplify your collective message through their voice make position makers that
their voice make position makers that
their voice make position makers that are not you put yourself in the back
are not you put yourself in the back
are not you put yourself in the back seat if it’s required I’ll give you a
seat if it’s required I’ll give you a
seat if it’s required I’ll give you a good example if anybody’s interested I
good example if anybody’s interested I
good example if anybody’s interested I could talk about the economics of the
could talk about the economics of the
could talk about the economics of the oil industry for way longer than I care
oil industry for way longer than I care
oil industry for way longer than I care to think about but it sounds a lot
to think about but it sounds a lot
to think about but it sounds a lot better if it’s coming from an oil
better if it’s coming from an oil
better if it’s coming from an oil executive right the main way that you
executive right the main way that you
executive right the main way that you focus on your similarities focus on that
focus on your similarities focus on that
focus on your similarities focus on that one message slightly adapt it no eminent
one message slightly adapt it no eminent
one message slightly adapt it no eminent domain for private gain it’s not needed
domain for private gain it’s not needed
domain for private gain it’s not needed we don’t want it it’s not
we don’t want it it’s not
we don’t want it it’s not worth the risk kind of like the time
worth the risk kind of like the time
worth the risk kind of like the time that a large landowner slash media mogul
that a large landowner slash media mogul
that a large landowner slash media mogul a small home-ground
a small home-ground
a small home-ground oil company a group of river keepers
oil company a group of river keepers
oil company a group of river keepers banded together took on the largest
banded together took on the largest
banded together took on the largest pipeline company in the world and
pipeline company in the world and
pipeline company in the world and stopped the project in its tracks
stopped the project in its tracks
stopped the project in its tracks the other thing that you have to do is
the other thing that you have to do is
the other thing that you have to do is focus on your similarities collectively
focus on your similarities collectively
focus on your similarities collectively and do not let others focus on your
and do not let others focus on your
and do not let others focus on your differences I must ask answered the
differences I must ask answered the
differences I must ask answered the question a hundred times from the media
question a hundred times from the media
question a hundred times from the media why this weird group of people why this
why this weird group of people why this
why this weird group of people why this non-traditional group I answered that
non-traditional group I answered that
non-traditional group I answered that question in the exact same way every
question in the exact same way every
question in the exact same way every single time it wasn’t a weird group it
single time it wasn’t a weird group it
single time it wasn’t a weird group it wasn’t a non-traditional group or the
wasn’t a non-traditional group or the
wasn’t a non-traditional group or the wrong ones
wrong ones
wrong ones it was exactly the right ones so today
it was exactly the right ones so today
it was exactly the right ones so today the palmetto pipeline is no longer a
the palmetto pipeline is no longer a
the palmetto pipeline is no longer a project it no longer exists but the
project it no longer exists but the
project it no longer exists but the coalition that came together not only
coalition that came together not only
coalition that came together not only stopped a pipeline but we changed the
stopped a pipeline but we changed the
stopped a pipeline but we changed the law in South Carolina and Georgia
law in South Carolina and Georgia
law in South Carolina and Georgia greatly strengthening the eminent domain
greatly strengthening the eminent domain
greatly strengthening the eminent domain laws greatly strengthening the
laws greatly strengthening the
laws greatly strengthening the environmental oversight what we did
environmental oversight what we did
environmental oversight what we did together was take the power back and
together was take the power back and
together was take the power back and give it to the landowners and the people
give it to the landowners and the people
give it to the landowners and the people we did that by focusing on people’s
we did that by focusing on people’s
we did that by focusing on people’s value sets the value sets of the folks
value sets the value sets of the folks
value sets the value sets of the folks that needed us and that we needed and
that needed us and that we needed and
that needed us and that we needed and catering our message to them
catering our message to them
catering our message to them and we always worked with the
and we always worked with the
and we always worked with the non-traditional partners we always have
non-traditional partners we always have
non-traditional partners we always have and we get over the fact that we won’t
and we get over the fact that we won’t
and we get over the fact that we won’t always agree and I’ll tell you one thing
always agree and I’ll tell you one thing
always agree and I’ll tell you one thing that we’ve found over the years is the
that we’ve found over the years is the
that we’ve found over the years is the more that we focus on our similarities
more that we focus on our similarities
more that we focus on our similarities we find out that those differences
we find out that those differences
we find out that those differences aren’t nearly as different as we thought
aren’t nearly as different as we thought
aren’t nearly as different as we thought so at Riverkeeper by using these over
so at Riverkeeper by using these over
so at Riverkeeper by using these over the years we have found that we bring
the years we have found that we bring
the years we have found that we bring more people together that enables not
more people together that enables not
more people together that enables not only more short-term success but it also
only more short-term success but it also
only more short-term success but it also greatly sets the stage for the paradigm
greatly sets the stage for the paradigm
greatly sets the stage for the paradigm shift that will greatly protect the
shift that will greatly protect the
shift that will greatly protect the river in the future and get everybody to
river in the future and get everybody to
river in the future and get everybody to start paying attention so good news it’s
start paying attention so good news it’s
start paying attention so good news it’s now your turn so I want you to get out
now your turn so I want you to get out
now your turn so I want you to get out there work with your neighbors work with
there work with your neighbors work with
there work with your neighbors work with your friends damn your differences
your friends damn your differences
your friends damn your differences it’s not always going to be easy it’s
it’s not always going to be easy it’s
it’s not always going to be easy it’s not always going to be fun but I can
not always going to be fun but I can
not always going to be fun but I can promise you one thing it will be
promise you one thing it will be
promise you one thing it will be exciting and together you just might
exciting and together you just might
exciting and together you just might find that you win thank you
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