Mission

The River des Peres Coalition aims to improve, protect, and maintain the River des Peres and its watersheds as a vital natural and cultural resource in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Goals

Restore the natural functions of the river and its tributaries to support fish and wildlife.

Goal 1:

"RESTORATION"
  1. Restore water flow in the river.
  2. Work towards increasing the amount of pervious surfaces in watershed, including using incentives.
  3. Give the river back to the community by opening it up to community again, e.g. removing honeysuckle and other invasive plants so river can be seen.
  4. Promote natural stream bed/bank restoration.
  5. Inventory existing "green" fragments and strategically connect fragments.
  6. Inventory biodiversity (trees, birds, other plants and animals) and partner with Gateway Wildlands.
  7. Inventory land use throughout the watershed.
  8. Identify the Missouri Species of Concern that are impacted by the River des Peres.
  9. Improve the water quality for wildlife.

Reduce nonpoint source and point sources of pollution contributing to the degradation of the River des Peres.

Goal 2:

"WATER QUALITY"
  1. Eliminate the CSOs, combined sewer overflows.
  2. Determine if the City of University City is contributing to the pollution of the river.
  3. Address soil sediment runoff from construction sites.
  4. Research non-point source pollution throughout the watershed and establish baseline.
  5. Create regional recycling center(s).
  6. Work with businesses whose products pollute the River des Peres, e.g. shopping carts, NYTimes newspaper wrappers.
  7. Increase community pride in river so people will stop dumping junk into it.

Raise public awareness about urban river restoration.

Goal 3:

"EDUCATION"
  1. Establish more urban stream teams.
  2. Research artistic opportunities in connection with the river and the coalition.
  3. Research other watershed revitalization models and citizens' role in them.
  4. Educate the public about the river as a natural resource in our community.
  5. Educate municipal officials and area residents about the role they can take to help the river.
  6. Find out more about the cultural history of the river.
  7. Increase community pride in river so people will stop dumping junk into it.
  8. Get area residents involved in the work of the Coalition as a way to educate them about this river, watersheds, etc.
  9. Re-envision the river so that people begin to connect with nature near their homes.
  10. Discover the celebratory aspects of the river.

Improve the aesthetic appeal of the River des Peres.

Goal 4:

  1. Keep the river and the river banks clean.
  2. Protect the river resources downstream, e.g. in Forest Park.
  3. Develop recreation areas (greenways) along the river to connect communities.

Implement public policy changes to protect the River des Peres.

Goal 5:

  1. Inventory zoning and other ordinances and policies impacting the River des Peres and build concensus (e.g. development, width of corridor).
  2. Identify and develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) and promote these BMP guidelines for policies (e.g. St. Peter's model).
  3. Connect with the Metropolitan Park and Recreation District's new mission teams.