Report lists America's 10 most endangered rivers
(CNN) -- Rivers are the arteries of our infrastructure. Flowing from
highlands to the sea, they breathe life into ecosystems and communities.
But many rivers in the United States are in trouble.
Rivers in Alaska, California and the South are among the 10 most endangered,
according to a report released Tuesday by American Rivers, a leading river
conservation group.
The annual report uses data from thousands of rivers groups, local
governments, environmental organizations and citizen watchdogs to identify
waterways under imminent threat by dams, industry or development.
"Our nation is at a transformational moment when it comes to rivers and
clean water," said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. "Water is
life, yet our nation's water infrastructure is so outdated that our clean
drinking water, flood protection and river health face unprecedented
threats."
American Rivers has released its annual endangered rivers report since
1986. The report is not a list of the nation's most polluted waterways, but
highlights 10 rivers facing decisions in the coming year that could
determine their future.
1) Sacramento-San Joaquin River System
Location: California
Outdated water and flood management puts California's largest watershed at
the top of America's most endangered rivers list for 2009. A recent breach
in the delta's 1,100-mile levee system could have dire effects on
surrounding ecosystems, farming and agriculture, commercial fishing and
California's civil infrastructure. State and federal authorities are looking
at alternative water-management strategies for the river system, which
serves 25 million Californians and more than 5 million acres of farmland.
2) Flint River
Location: Georgia
The Flint is one of 40 rivers nationwide that still flow undammed for more
than 200 miles. Conservationists say that dams proposed by Georgia lawmakers
would bury more than 50 river miles, destroy fishing and boating
opportunities and cost taxpayers millions of dollars. The American Rivers
group believes that fixing the state's leaky pipes, using water meters and
minimizing water waste would be a cheaper and more cost-effective
alternative.
3) Lower Snake River
Location: Idaho, Washington, Oregon
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has built four dams to irrigate and
generate energy for the Northwest, but these dams also prevent salmon and
steelhead trout from reaching their spawning areas. Every year, those dams
kill as many as 90 percent of juvenile salmon and steelhead trout that
migrate downstream to the ocean. Conservationists say that removing the dams
would eliminate a growing flood threat in Lewiston, Idaho, and create an
opportunity to modernize the region's transportation and energy systems.
4) Mattawoman Creek
Location: Maryland
A highway development project here jeopardizes one of the Chesapeake Bay's
few remaining healthy streams. The project threatens clean water sources,
thousands of acres of forests and wetlands, and an internationally-renowned,
multimillion-dollar largemouth bass fishery.
5) North Fork of the Flathead River
Location: Montana
A proposed coal-mining project across the Canadian border puts Montana's
North Fork of the Flathead River in jeopardy. An estimated 50,000 acres of
the Flathead headwaters could be transformed into an industrial gas field.
The projects threaten the river's clean water, local agriculture, fish and
wildlife and recreational industries such as rafting, camping, fishing and
boating. American Rivers and its partners have called on local Canadian
governments and the U.S. State Department to work together to halt these
projects.
6) Saluda River
Location: South Carolina
Excess levels of sewage waste threaten the drinking water of more than
500,000 South Carolina residents, conservationists say. Sewage in the river
increases phosphorous and algae levels, depletes oxygen, and kills fish and
other aquatic life. American Rivers is asking the South Carolina Department
of Health and Environmental Control to improve sewage-treatment standards
and ensure the river reduces its phosphorous levels by 25 to 50 percent.
7) Laurel Hill Creek
Location: Pennsylvania
Known for its fishing, swimming and kayaking, this popular vacation spot
faces threats from a bottling plant and tourism-related development. Without
adequate planning and safeguards, withdrawals will continue to exceed the
creek's reasonable capacity, putting recreation, the local water supply, and
fish and wildlife in jeopardy.
8) Beaver Creek
Location: Alaska
One of the nation's last wild rivers faces extinction if an oil- and
gas-development project constructs 600 miles of roads and pipelines,
airstrips, drilling pads, and gravel mines along the creek. Alaska native
communities depend on the area for subsistence hunting and fishing. It's
also a popular destination for anglers, boaters, skiers and hunters.
9) Pascagoula River
Location: Mississippi
The U.S. Department of Energy wants to hollow out natural salt domes 30
miles northwest of the Pascagoula to create a storage area for up to 160
million barrels of oil. A pipeline 330 miles in length would be constructed
to withdraw water from the Pascagoula to dissolve the salt domes and
distribute oil to and from the site. The DOE predicts 18 oil spills and 75
spills of salty, polluted water during the construction and initial fill of
the hollowed domes, damaging rivers, streams, and wetlands in the basin,
conservationists say.
10) Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Location: Minnesota, Wisconsin
Rezoning of a 26-mile stretch of the river's state-protected section would
allow for the construction of a major development on the riverfront.
American Rivers believes the development could lead to land erosion along
the river and more storm run-off while harming the region's biodiversity.
"Being named as one of America's most endangered rivers is not an end for
the river, but rather a beginning," said Wodder.
Through the collaborative efforts of citizens and local, state and national
governments, a number of waterways from past American Rivers' endangered
lists have been preserved.
"With the listing comes a national spotlight and action from thousands of
citizens across the country," Wodder said. "These 10 rivers have a chance to
be reborn and to serve as models for other rivers all across America."
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