Media Items Archive

September 12, 2019

Contact: Sinjin Eberle, 720-373-0864

The Grant County Commission today passed a resolution to support federal legislation that would protect portions of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers and their tributaries as wild and scenic. The vote comes after a groundswell of support from Tribes, sportsmen, veterans, small business owners, faith and civic organizations, local municipalities and governments, and outdoor recreation and conservation organizations. The local community expressed their appreciation for the commission’s support of this important designation.

The resolution of support states, in part, “Now, therefore be it resolved, that the Grant County Board of Commissioners supports the introduction of legislation to protect the Gila River through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.”

The community-driven proposal would designate roughly 436 miles of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers and their tributaries as wild and scenic. To date, only .01% of the 108,104 miles of rivers in New Mexico are designated as wild and scenic. However, its significance should not be minimized: the rivers and tributaries compose one of the largest undammed watersheds left in the Lower 48.

“It is important that we call for the protection of the Gila River because we have been going there to fish, hunt, and picnic with our families for many years and we want to continue to do so while securing it for future generations,” said Chon S. Fierro, the City of Bayard’s Mayor.

Designating the rivers and tributaries as wild and scenic will sustain the local, rural economies that depend upon time-tested traditions like grazing, ranching, and hunting and fishing. It will also enhance those economies through increased outdoor recreation activities like rafting and paddling, horseback riding and wildlife watching, and hiking and camping. Outdoor recreation is big business in New Mexico: Every year it generates nearly $10 billion in consumer spending, roughly $3 billion in wages and salaries, $623 million in state and local tax revenues, and directly employs 99,000 people.

“The Gila River is a powerful economic driver,” added Chris Schlabach, a small business owner. “Our store, Gila Hike and Bike, relies heavily on visitors to the Gila purchasing gear for their adventures or spending time in our community.”

Grazing and ranching would continue surrounding the segments designated as wild and scenic. Additionally, development on or roads to private land would not be impacted. Hunting and fishing access would not only be ensured, but the designation would safeguard critical habitat needed to sustain land and water wildlife populations.

Jason Amaro, a sportsman in Grant County said, “Sportsmen and sportswomen have long understood the value of the Gila River, not only because it is a place where we find peace in the world, but also a place where if we work hard, we can find a meal or two. Let’s work together to permanently protect our wild and scenic rivers in the Gila.”

A diverse coalition is now calling on Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich to introduce legislation to designate portions of the Gila and San Francisco and their tributaries as wild and scenic. With the impacts of climate change affecting New Mexico, community members are urging the New Mexico Senators to act quickly so future generations can always experience and wild and scenic Gila River.

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September 12, 2019

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org

Washington – Continuing its assault on rivers and clean water nationwide, the Trump administration today released its final rule repealing the Obama administration’s Clean Water Rule. Promulgated in 2015, the Clean Water Rule clarified the definition of “waters of the United States” and the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. Repeal of the Clean Water Rule will return the nation to pre-2015 rules and the regulatory confusion and paralysis that resulted from the Supreme Court’s SWANCC and Rapanos rulings. Those rulings severely undermined federal protections for small streams, headwater streams and wetlands, threatening clean drinking water sources and rivers nationwide.

Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers, released the following statement:

“The millions of children newly back to school could give this administration’s officials a basic science lesson: wetlands and streams connect to larger rivers. They are vitally important to protecting water quality for all of our communities. The destruction we cause upstream impacts our neighbors downstream.”

“We need to be doing more as a nation, not less, to safeguard clean water. With millions from New Jersey to California lacking access to safe drinking water, and with toxic algae from North Carolina to Oregon threatening public health and our pets, now is not the time to create more loopholes for polluters.”

“American Rivers is fighting back against this administration’s rollbacks and we believe, ultimately, we’ll succeed. Not only because we have science and the law on our side. But because a healthy river is more valuable to a community than a dead, polluted one. And, because clean water and healthy rivers are absolutely vital to our nation’s security and our future.”

Background:

For almost thirty years after its enactment in 1972, the Clean Water Act was broadly interpreted to provide comprehensive protections to waters across the country. However, following two Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006, uncertainty arose about Clean Water Act jurisdiction over small streams and wetlands, putting the health of rivers and the communities that depend upon them at risk. In defining “waters of the United States”, the case of Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 531 U.S. 159 (2001) (SWANCC) called into question the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction over isolated wetlands. While the opinion of the Supreme Court only held that isolated wetlands could not be considered jurisdictional waters solely on their basis as habitat for migratory birds, the practical result was that very few isolated wetlands were considered to be jurisdictional.

Five years later, in Rapanos v. United States, 547 U.S. 715 (2006) (Rapanos) the Supreme Court took up the question of the proper test for determining if a small stream or wetland was “jurisdictional” under the Clean Water Act. Justice Scalia, joined by three other Justices, issued a plurality opinion for the Court, with a separate concurring opinion by Justice Kennedy, and a dissenting opinion written by Justice Stevens with three other Justices joining. The result was three contradictory opinions. The confusion created by SWANCC and Rapanos amongst federal courts, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers led to virtual paralysis of the long-accepted regulatory scheme that protects small streams and wetlands.

In 2015, after engaging in an extensive outreach program, conducting an exhaustive scientific review, and preparing a comprehensive legal analysis, EPA and the Corps published the Clean Water Rule (also referred to as the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule), a regulation that clearly and comprehensively defines what waters are protected by the Clean Water Act. In the four years that the two agencies worked to craft the rule, they reviewed over 1,200 scientific studies, collected over 1,000,000 public comments, drafted over 6,000 pages of responses, and held over 400 public meetings. American Rivers was active in this process, both at the administrative and congressional levels. The final rule better protects small streams (including headwater, intermittent, and ephemeral streams) as well as wetlands. The Rule clarifies these waters’ status after years of uncertainty spawned by SWANCC and Rapanos, as well as the EPA and Corps’ various policies and guidance adopted in the wake of those decisions.

Shortly after taking office, President Trump ordered that the Clean Water Rule be revised or replaced. Since then, in the face of popular opposition and legal challenge, the Trump administration has sought to stymie and now repeal the Clean Water Rule, with little scientific backing, legal analysis or public outreach. The administration has already proposed a new rule that will unambiguously strip protection from isolated wetlands and ephemeral streams (and perhaps other categories of waters as well) despite overwhelming scientific consensus around their importance to the health of the waters of the United States.

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August 9, 2019

Contact:
Olivia Dorothy, 217-390-3658
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Threats to the Clean Water Act are intensifying as the Senate weighs a bill that would overturn a Clean Water Act veto of an ecologically devastating pumps project in the Mississippi Delta.

Last week, Senators Hyde-Smith and Wicker introduced legislation that would overturn the Clean Water Act veto of the Yazoo Pumps Project, located just north of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The project was vetoed by George W. Bush’s Administration in 2008 because it would have drained or damaged up to 200,000 acres of ecologically significant wetlands – an area larger than the 5 boroughs of New York City. The vast majority of these wetlands are within protected areas, including Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, and the Delta National Forest. And, much of the impacted private land is enrolled in conservation easements.

Should the veto be overturned, it would be the first time in the history of the Clean Water Act. “Such an action,” warns Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers, “would pave the way for other environmentally damaging projects to move forward.”

Yazoo Pumps is touted as a flood control project that would alleviate flooding in the Mississippi Delta area devastated by this year’s high water. But according to the Corps’ own analysis, the proposed pumps would do almost nothing to help Delta communities. Indeed, the stated purpose of the Yazoo Pumps is to drain wetlands to expand crop production. In fact, should the pumps be built, it is likely they would exacerbate flooding elsewhere, including around Vicksburg, Mississippi.

“It is always heartbreaking to see homes and businesses flooded. But there are better options for Delta residents that focus on getting people out of harm’s way,” said Irvin. “It is irresponsible to spend almost half a billion dollars in federal tax money on a flood control project that will devastate the Delta’s swamp ecosystem and do little to protect people.”

In 2018, American Rivers listed the Big Sunflower River as America’s #1 Most Endangered River due to similar proposals to overturn the 2008 veto of the project.

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July 31, 2019

Contact: Serena McClain, American Rivers, 202-347-7550

Gregg Bortz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 410-260-8001

Jennie Lyons, NOAA, 301-427-8013

David Eisenhauer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 413-253-8492

Washington – One of the most important dam removal projects in the Mid-Atlantic is officially complete. Project partners announced today that the Bloede Dam removal and river restoration is finished and a significant portion of the Patapsco River now flows freely through Patapsco Valley State Park.

After 18 months, often spent battling the elements during one of the region’s wettest years on record, crews have completed all construction work, including dam demolition, replacing portions of both Baltimore and Howard county sanitary sewer lines, and rebuilding the Grist Mill Trail. This area of the park re-opened just in time for the busy summer season. Visitors are enjoying the full range of outdoor recreation, anglers are fishing from newly emerging boulders in the former dam impoundment, and families are exploring the riverside trail.

“The Patapsco River is free, after years of hard work by so many. It’s wonderful to see the Patapsco rushing back to life, and to watch park visitors discover and enjoy the free-flowing river,” said Serena McClain, project manager and director of river restoration for American Rivers. “This major river restoration project would not have happened without the collaboration and dedication of many public and private partners. This success is proof that when we come together, we can accomplish great victories for our rivers and our communities that will resonate for generations to come.”

Bloede Dam served no functional purpose for decades and posed a serious public safety hazard in Patapsco Valley State Park. There were a number of injuries and deaths at the dam, with at least nine dam-related deaths since the 1980s, and the most recent occurring in June 2015.

“Today’s announcement caps a decade of work with many partners and is a win in many ways,” said Pat Montanio, Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation. “Opening the area to natural river flow benefits a healthier Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, including fish passage and improved river habitat for important fish species. The dam’s removal also benefits the people and the economy.”

“Removal of the Bloede Dam has been a long-term priority for both public safety and environmental reasons, so the department is very grateful for the strong partnerships that have finally made it a reality,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. “Completion of this project means improved safety for our park visitors, restoration of the Patapsco River System, and healthier habitats for aquatic species – all of which are important to our department.”

In addition to eliminating the public safety risk, dam removal gives a tremendous boost to the health of the river ecosystem, including fisheries critical to the food web of the Chesapeake Bay. Bloede Dam was the first barrier on the Patapsco River blocking migratory fish swimming to and from the Bay. Its removal is the linchpin of a decades-long restoration effort that included the removal of Simkins Dam (2010) and Union Dam (2010).

Removal of Bloede Dam restores to the river and its tributaries more than 65 miles of spawning habitat for blueback herring, alewife, American shad, and hickory shad in the watershed, and more than 183 miles for American eel. Project partners will continue to monitor the site to better understand how the river responds physically and biologically to dam removal.

“The Service is a proud partner in the restoration of this historic, industrialized river to a free-flowing, connected, natural system,” said Wendi Weber, Northeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Where a concrete dam once threatened public safety and degraded wildlife habitat, people can now recreate, while aquatic species can move freely to reach important habitat. We are thankful to all who made this transformation possible and especially appreciate NOAA, American Rivers, and Maryland DNR for their vision and leadership.”

Removal of Bloede Dam was made possible through a partnership of American Rivers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of the Patapsco Valley State Park, as well as monitoring partners U.S. Geological Survey, Maryland Biological Stream Survey, Maryland Geological Survey and University of Maryland Baltimore County.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $17.9 million. Funding for the project came from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, MDOT SHA, NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Coca-Cola Foundation and Keurig-Green Mountain.

Since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast in 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has helped fund 32 coastal resilience projects in 11 states, using more than $100 million from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. Twelve dam removals, including Bloede, have restored nearly 100 miles of mainstem river to their natural state.

July 8, 2019

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Statement by Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers:

“President Trump’s claim today that ensuring clean water has been a top priority from day one of his administration is truly fake news. From the outset, the Trump administration has used every means at its disposal to stifle science and undermine protection for clean water and rivers. Even as President Trump spoke this afternoon, his administration is proposing to adopt a Dirty Water Rule which would eliminate Clean Water Act protection for nearly 20 percent of the streams in the U.S. and more than half of all wetlands.”

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May 31, 2019

Contact: Olivia Dorothy, 217-390-3658, odorothy@americanrivers.org

Amy Kober, 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org

A major levee in Missouri was overwhelmed last night, across from the town of Quincy, Illinois. The overtopping of the Union Township Levee sent floodwaters into farms, homes and businesses. The levee breach is another hit to Mississippi River communities, who have been challenged by record flooding for months.

According to the National Levee Database, the Union Township Levee is supposed to protect roughly 4,000 acres, 86 structures and 147 people. The levee is at a “choke point” in the river where so much of the floodplain is blocked by levees that the river has no room to spread out when it floods. The Union Township Levee is surrounded by illegally over-built levees downstream and across the river. The actions of the neighboring levee districts to build up their levees without the requisite permits and approvals likely pushed additional water onto the Union Township Levee, contributing to the breach.

Statement from Olivia Dorothy, Associate Director for the Upper Mississippi River Basin with American Rivers, based in East Moline, Illinois:

“My heart goes out to the farmers and homeowners in the Union Township Levee District, who were evacuated last night when the levee was overtopped by the Mississippi River. As the Mississippi continues to rise for the second time this spring, I pray the levees hold.

When Mississippi River communities are able to recover from this disaster, we must commit ourselves to fundamentally changing our approach to flood protection. The current approach allowing unchecked levee development pits communities against each other and makes us less safe.

The best way to protect people and property is to give the river room and help people move out of harm’s way. I call on regional leaders to support the development of a basin-wide flood risk management strategy that puts public safety first.”

The Upper Mississippi River is among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2019 due to the threats of illegal levee development and climate change. Read the report at https://endangeredrivers.americanrivers.org/upper-mississippi-river/

May 22, 2019

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org

As we enter hurricane season along the Atlantic coast, American Rivers is underscoring the importance of restoring healthy rivers and giving rivers room as the best way to protect people and property from flooding.

“The Carolinas have been hit with devastating hurricanes and flooding for four years in a row. While we hope to avoid the worst of the 2019 hurricane season, we also need to prepare. Climate change is making flooding more frequent and severe. Giving rivers room to safely accommodate and better manage floodwaters is the best way to keep communities safe,” said Gerrit Jöbsis, Senior Director, Rivers of Southern Appalachia and the Carolinas.

There are two main factors exacerbating flood danger associated with hurricanes:

Development and disconnection of floodplains: Floodplains are the natural, low-lying areas along rivers that absorb and store floodwaters. By cutting rivers off from floodplains with levees and filling these lands with pavement, homes and businesses, there’s nowhere for floodwaters to go – and we’ve put people in harm’s way.
Outdated and unsafe dams: The Association of State Dam Safety Officials estimates that aging dams across the nation need more than $70 billion in repairs. More than 100 dams breached in recent years in South Carolina and North Carolina because of hurricanes and flooding.

“If we want to keep our families and communities safe, we need to protect and restore our rivers. It’s time for action now,” said Jöbsis.

Five actions needed to protect communities from increasingly severe flooding:

Protect and restore floodplains: Naturally functioning floodplains store floodwaters and reduce downstream flooding. We need to take advantage of these natural defenses.
Get people out of harm’s way: Poorly planned growth has allowed development in flood prone areas, putting people in harm’s way. Where possible, we should replace developed areas with green spaces that can absorb floodwaters and buffer communities from damages.
Strengthen state dam safety laws and programs: More than 80 dams failed in South Carolina over the past several years. Coupled with dozens of additional dam failures in North Carolina it is clear that our current standards, especially for earthen dams which are by far the most likely to fail, do not provide safety with the reality of today’s extreme flooding.
Remove dams that do not meet safety requirements: We cannot wait until dams fail to take action. Poorly maintained and improperly designed dams need to be removed to protect downstream communities and infrastructure before they fail. See https://www.americanrivers.org/2016/10/removing-dams-can-save-lives/
Relocate industrial livestock feedlots out of vulnerable floodplains.See America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2017 listing of Neuse and Cape Fear rivers: https://www.americanrivers.org/2017/06/neuse-cape-fear-floodplain-protection/

Experts available for comment:

Gerrit Jöbsis, Senior Director, Rivers of Southern Appalachia and the Carolinas (Columbia, SC):803-771-7114, gjobsis@americanrivers.org

Peter Raabe, Conservation Director, Rivers of Southern Appalachia & the Carolinas (Durham, NC): 919-682-3500, praabe@americanrivers.org

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Washington – American Rivers applauds the release of the U.S. Postal Service’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Commemorative Forever Stamps, which American Rivers President and CEO Bob Irvin recommended to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee in 2015. American Rivers will take part in the first-day-of-issue event on May 21 at Oregon’s Tumalo State Park.

American Rivers President and CEO Bob Irvin made the following statement:

“Rivers are the veins and arteries of our nation, and Wild and Scenic Rivers are the most wild and pristine. They enrich our lives in so many ways, from serving as sources of clean drinking water to giving us endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family, to supporting our rich and diverse web of life.

Last year we celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. These stamps are a fitting tribute as we embark on the next 50 years of river protection in our country. Rivers connect us to our past, our future and each other. Honoring the importance of Wild and Scenic Rivers and committing ourselves to protecting more healthy, free-flowing rivers is one of the greatest gifts we can give to future generations.”

The first-day-of-issue event for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Commemorative Forever stamps will be held on Tuesday, May 21, at 11:00 a.m. PST at Tumalo State Park (64170 O.B. Riley Road, Bend, OR 97701). Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/wildrivers.

About American Rivers

American Rivers believes every community in our country should have clean water and a healthy river. Since 1973, we have been protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers and conserving clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices across the country, we are the most effective river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions that will last for generations to come. Connect with us at AmericanRivers.org

May 3, 2019

Contact: Olivia Dorothy, 217-390-3658, odorothy@americanrivers.org

Amy Kober, 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org

“In this moment, I pray the levees hold. But as I look to our future, I know these floods will happen again and sooner than we expect. With this in mind, I call on state and federal agencies to enforce floodplain development laws and bring violators into compliance. Ultimately, the best way to protect people and property is to give rivers room.”

— Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers

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Statement from Olivia Dorothy, Associate Director for the Upper Mississippi River Basin with American Rivers, based in East Moline, Illinois:

“Preliminary data from the Quad Cities indicates that the Flood of 2019 is worse than the Great Flood of 1993. Water is higher and it is higher for longer. And right now, that water is heading downstream, towards the section of the Mississippi River that American Rivers designated among America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019 due to poor flood risk management.

We gave the Upper Mississippi River this designation because climate change is driving more extreme flood events and communities along the river desperately need a new flood risk management strategy.

Along this 200-mile stretch of the Mississippi, several levee districts, especially around Burlington, Quincy and Hannibal have raised their levees without the requisite permits and approvals. And during the extreme flood we are experiencing now, their actions have put people and property at risk.

Unlawful levee modifications put lives at risk and add a layer of unpredictability to an already chaotic natural disaster. The state and federal agencies must lead us towards a regional flood risk management strategy that looks beyond the bluffs for solutions to slow water down in the tributaries and incentivizes strategies that make room for the Mighty Mississippi and all its tributaries.

Giving the river room has many benefits. It gets people out of harm’s way, it is usually tens or hundreds of millions dollars cheaper and, if done properly, can restore vital ecosystem functions like water purification.

The best way to protect people and property is to give rivers room.”

Learn more: https://endangeredrivers.americanrivers.org/upper-mississippi-river/

List highlights threat climate change poses to rivers, water supplies, public safety

American Rivers spotlights national success story on Ohio’s Cuyahoga River

Contact: Amy Kober, American Rivers, 503-708-1145

www.AmericanRivers.org/MostEndangeredRivers

Washington, DC – American Rivers today released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, identifying ten rivers facing imminent threats. This year’s report spotlights the threat that climate change poses to rivers, clean water supplies, public safety and communities nationwide.

From water scarcity on New Mexico’s Gila River, named the #1 Most Endangered River in the country, to sea-level rise on the Hudson and flooding on the Upper Mississippi, America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019 illustrates what’s at stake and the choices facing communities.

“Climate change is striking rivers and water supplies first and hardest,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers. “America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a call to action. We must speak up and take action, because climate change will profoundly impact every river and community in our country. Healthy rivers are our best defense against droughts, floods and the impacts of a changing climate.”

Climate change is the most consequential environmental challenge facing our planet. In the U.S., cities are struggling to do more with less water, fish and wildlife are struggling to survive, forest fires are growing more destructive and storms are triggering more life-threatening floods. In March, record flooding across the Midwest killed at least four people and cost more than $3 billion in property damages in Nebraska and Iowa. The harshest impacts of climate change are often most prevalent in communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities.

The National Climate Assessment released in 2018 states, “Water quality and water supply reliability are jeopardized by climate change in a variety of ways that affect ecosystems and livelihoods…Very heavy precipitation events have increased nationally and are projected to increase in all regions. The length of dry spells is projected to increase in most areas, especially the southern and northwestern portions of the contiguous United States.”

The top three rivers in America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019 demonstrate how climate change is already having an impact, and how our actions will either weaken or strengthen river communities:

#1 Gila River – The Southwest is becoming hotter and drier due to climate change. Building a costly new diversion and compromising river health doesn’t make sense when there are cheaper, more effective water supply alternatives for the region.
#2 Hudson River – Rising sea levels resulting from climate change threaten New York City. Instead of installing massive storm-surge barriers that would damage this rich estuary ecosystem, we must find better, more reliable and flexible solutions to protect people and property.
#3 Upper Mississippi River – Increased flooding is occurring throughout the Upper Mississippi basin due to climate change. Choking the river with new levees and traditional flood control structures threatens public safety by making flooding worse downstream.

“Our nation is at a crossroads. If we continue to degrade and abuse our rivers, we will compromise our ability to deal with increasingly severe droughts and floods. But if we protect and restore our rivers in thoughtful and equitable ways that do not perpetuate the mistakes of the past, we can strengthen our communities and create a more secure future,” Irvin said.

“We are committed to spotlighting threats and working with communities on solutions that benefit people and rivers. We believe everyone in our country deserves clean water and a healthy river.”

In addition to announcing the nation’s ten endangered rivers, American Rivers honored Ohio’s Cuyahoga River as “River of the Year.” The title spotlights the river as a national success story and celebrates the progress Cleveland has made in cleaning up the Cuyahoga, fifty years since the river’s famous fire that sparked the nation’s environmental movement.

“Fifty years ago, the Cuyahoga River was so polluted it caught fire. In this anniversary year, we celebrate the progress that has been made in Cleveland, and we underscore the importance of clean, healthy rivers to cities nationwide,” said Irvin. “May other cities draw inspiration from Cleveland’s story, and may we all work together to spark an urban river renaissance nationwide. Because everyone in our country deserves clean water and a healthy river.”

In its 34th year, the annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Rivers are chosen for the list based on the following criteria: 1) The magnitude of the threat; 2) The significance of the river to people and nature; and 3) A critical decision-point in the coming year. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

AMERICA’S MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS® OF 2019

#1 Gila River, New Mexico
Gov. Grisham must choose a healthier, more cost-effective way to provide water to agriculture than by drying up the state’s last major free-flowing river.

#2 Hudson River, New York

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consider effective, nature-based alternatives to storm-surge barriers that would choke off this biologically rich tidal estuary.

#3 Upper Mississippi River, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri

State and federal agencies must enforce laws that prohibit illegal levees, which increase flood risk for communities and degrade vital fish and wildlife habitat.

#4 Green-Duwamish River, Washington

Local leaders must produce a flood protection plan that safeguards communities and restores habitat for chinook salmon — fish that are essential to the diet of Puget Sound’s endangered orca whales.

#5 Willamette River, Oregon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must immediately improve 13 dams to save wild chinook salmon and steelhead from going extinct.

#6 Chilkat River, Alaska

The Japanese investment firm, DOWA, must do the responsible thing and back out of a mining project that could decimate native salmon.

#7 South Fork Salmon River, Idaho

The U.S. Forest Service must safeguard endangered fish by denying a mining proposal that could pollute this tributary of the Wild and Scenic Salmon River.

#8 Buffalo National River, Arkansas

Gov. Hutchinson must demand closure of an industrial hog-farming facility that pollutes groundwater and threatens endangered species.

#9 Big Darby Creek, Ohio

Local leaders must use state-of-the-art science to craft a responsible development plan that protects this pristine stream.

#10 Stikine River, Alaska

The International Joint Commission of the United States and Canada must protect the river’s clean water, fish and wildlife, and indigenous communities by stopping harmful, polluting mines.

2019’s “River of the Year”: Cuyahoga River, Ohio

American Rivers celebrates the progress Cleveland has made in cleaning up the Cuyahoga River, fifty years since the river’s famous fire that sparked the nation’s environmental movement.

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Climate change and proposed diversion threaten New Mexico’s last wild river

Contact: Sinjin Eberle, American Rivers, 720-373-0864

Allyson Siwik, Gila Conservation Coalition, 575-590-7619

Todd Schulke, Center for Biological Diversity, 575-574-5962

Donna Stevens, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance, 575-590-5698

Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named the Gila River #1 on the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2019, citing the grave threat that climate change and a proposed diversion project pose to New Mexico’s last free-flowing river. American Rivers and its partners called on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to permanently stop the diversion project and advance more cost-effective, innovative water supply solutions.

“New Mexicans can’t afford to dry up their last wild river,” said Matt Rice, Colorado Basin Director for American Rivers. “Ruining the Gila River with an expensive diversion project doesn’t make sense when there are better, more cost-effective water supply options.”

“We are already feeling the impacts of climate change in New Mexico and across the Southwest, and it’s only going to get worse. The decisions we make today will determine whether we have healthy rivers and secure water supplies in the future. We have an opportunity on the Gila to demonstrate that it is possible to protect healthy rivers and meet our water needs in an era of climate change.”

Scientists estimate that due to climate change, the Gila River will cease to be a snowpack-fed river by mid-century. The proposed diversion project would put greater strain on Gila River flows already altered and reduced by the impacts of climate change. In turn, climate change likely will limit the amount and availability of water that can be developed by the proposed diversion, calling into question the project’s long-term viability.

American Rivers and its partners called on Governor Lujan Grisham to stop the diversion project and instead spend $66 million available through Arizona Water Settlement Act (AWSA) funding on alternative water supply solutions to meet the water needs of communities throughout southwest New Mexico. These solutions include infrastructure improvements and expansions such as the Grant County Regional Water Supply Project and municipal and agricultural conservation and efficiency projects.

Governor Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community, located in Arizona on the banks of the Gila River, stated, “Our people have lived on the banks of the Gila River in Arizona for thousands of years, and we have watched as our River dwindled through overuse in the Upper Valley. We have known for decades that our River is in danger, so the action of American Rivers today strikes a chord with me and my people. Because the Community has such a large entitlement to the waters of the Gila River, the Keli Akimel in our language, the exchange that is contemplated for the diversion that American Rivers has determined to be a danger is for an exchange of water that is supposed to be with us. I say ‘supposed’ to be with us because we do not have any agreement in place for the exchange, which will be very complex if possible at all, and subject to many years of legal challenges here in Arizona if it were ever to proceed. At this point, I hope there is a better path forward than this one which seems to present a real danger to the future flows of Keli Akimel, both in New Mexico and Arizona.”

“It’s time to stop the waste of millions in federal funds on a Gila River diversion to benefit a small number of irrigators and the world’s largest copper mining company, and instead direct AWSA monies to critically important community water projects that achieve long-term water security for thousands in southwest New Mexico,” stated Allyson Siwik, Executive Director of the Gila Conservation Coalition.

“It’s rare to see a wild river these days because so many of the nation’s rivers have been dammed,” said Donna Stevens, Executive Director of the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance. “People come from all over to visit the Gila Wilderness – the nation’s first wilderness area – and the Gila River. They boost the local economy with their tourist dollars.”

Flowing out of the nation’s first Wilderness Area, the Gila River supports outstanding examples of Southwest riparian forest, cold-water fisheries and a remarkable abundance of wildlife. The river is home to indigenous people who have lived in southwestern New Mexico for thousands of years, and remains vital to the region’s culture and heritage.

“A stronghold for many endangered species, the Gila is one of the last intact rivers left in North America. We have to work hard to make sure it stays that way. We urge Governor Lujan Grisham to help us protect the Gila River forever,” said Todd Schulke, co-founder and Senior Staff with the Center for Biological Diversity.

The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

The Gila River was previously included on this list in 1995, 1996, 2008, 2014. Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in recent years include the Lower Rio Grande (2018), Lower Colorado River (2017) and Colorado River in the Grand Canyon (2015).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2019

#1 Gila River, New Mexico
Gov. Grisham must choose a healthier, more cost-effective way to provide water to agriculture than by drying up the state’s last major free-flowing river.

#2 Hudson River, New York

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consider effective, nature-based alternatives to storm-surge barriers that would choke off this biologically rich tidal estuary.

#3 Upper Mississippi River, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri

State and federal agencies must enforce laws that prohibit illegal levees, which increase flood risk for communities and degrade vital fish and wildlife habitat.

#4 Green-Duwamish River, Washington

#5 Willamette River, Oregon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must immediately improve 13 dams to save wild chinook salmon and steelhead from going extinct.

#6 Chilkat River, Alaska

The Japanese investment firm, DOWA, must do the responsible thing and back out of a mining project that could decimate native salmon.

#7 South Fork Salmon River, Idaho

The U.S. Forest Service must safeguard endangered fish by denying a mining proposal that could pollute this tributary of the Wild and Scenic Salmon River.

#8 Buffalo National River, Arkansas

Gov. Hutchinson must demand closure of an industrial hog-farming facility that pollutes groundwater and threatens endangered species.

#9 Big Darby Creek, Ohio

Local leaders must use state-of-the-art science to craft a responsible development plan that protects this pristine stream.

#10 Stikine River, Alaska

The International Joint Commission of the United States and Canada must protect the river’s clean water, fish and wildlife, and indigenous communities by stopping harmful, polluting mines.

2019’s “River of the Year”: Cuyahoga River, Ohio

American Rivers celebrates the progress Cleveland has made in cleaning up the Cuyahoga River, fifty years since the river’s famous fire that sparked the nation’s environmental movement.

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Climate change and illegal levee development threaten public safety, river health

Contact:

Eileen Shader, American Rivers, (570) 856-1128

Elliot Brinkman, Prairie Rivers Network, (217) 344-2371, x202

Christine Favilla, Sierra Club, (618) 462-6802

David Stokes, Great River Habitat Alliance, (314) 918-1007

Melissa Samet, National Wildlife Federation, (415) 762-8264

Rob Moore, Natural Resources Defense Council, (312) 651-7923

Maisah Khan, Missouri Coalition for the Env., (314) 727-0600, x113

Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named the Upper Mississippi River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2019, citing the grave threat that climate change and illegal levee raises pose to public safety and river health. American Rivers and its partners called on state and federal agencies to prohibit the reckless raising of levees and promote better flood protection solutions.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that face a critical decision in the coming year,” said Eileen Shader with American Rivers. “It’s time to stop the illegal levee development on the Upper Mississippi that is putting people and river health at serious risk.”

“We are already feeling the impacts of climate change in the Midwest, including more frequent and severe flooding, and it’s only going to get worse. Abusing and degrading the Mississippi River will make us more vulnerable to these threats. Protecting and restoring the river will make us better prepared to face future floods and safeguard communities. It’s our choice to make.”

The Upper Mississippi River is threatened by levees that are being raised (i.e., made taller) without required permits and approvals. Eighty miles of levees between Muscatine, Iowa, and Hamburg, Illinois, have been raised without obtaining the required state or federal approvals. These levees not only destroy critical riverside and floodplain habitat for fish and wildlife, they also make flood heights higher and increase flooding downstream. For example, during the most extreme flood events, Hannibal, Missouri, is projected to experience an additional foot or more of floodwaters because their neighbors have raised their levees without regard to the impacts.

American Rivers and its partners called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the states of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri to take corrective action to stop and resolve these levee violations. Further, the groups called on the agencies to advance 21^st century flood protection solutions that deliver multiple benefits to people and nature.

“We have to stop the circle of absurdity where we spend enormous sums of money to build larger levees which make the next flood even worse and costs us millions more in emergency funds, only to have the entire cycle repeat year after year,” said David Stokes with the Great River Habitat Alliance.

“We must move beyond this outdated vision of flood control that foolishly relies on bigger and higher levees and floodwalls to a new vision that makes room for rivers and allows nature-based solutions to protect us,” said Elliot Brinkman with the Prairie Rivers Network.

The threats posed by these unlawful changes are real and getting worse as climate change is leading to more frequent floods and intense storms in the Upper Mississippi River Basin and across the country. The three highest-volume rain storms ever recorded in the U.S. have occurred in the last three years, in line with climate scientists’ projections that extreme downpours in the U.S. could increase by 400 percent by the end of this century. Munoz et al. (2018) determined that the magnitude of 100-year flood events in the Mississippi Basin has increased by 20 percent over the past 500 years, with much of that increase being caused by the combination of river engineering and climate change. The increased risk of flooding is the reason some levee districts have pursued higher levees, but their actions are intensifying the impacts of flooding for their neighbors.

The Mississippi River is a globally significant flyway used by hundreds of species of birds and provides unique habitat for fish, mussels, reptiles and mammals. This significant ecosystem supports commercial and recreational fishing, hunting and boating, which contribute $24.6 billion to the region’s economy and an estimated 421,000 jobs. The river has been the lifeblood of many cultures throughout history and has served as the inspiration for a rich heritage of American music, art and literature.

Some portion of the Mississippi River was previously included on this list in 1991-1992, 1994-1996, 2000-2001, 2004, 2011, 2014 and 2018. Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in recent years include the Buffalo National River (2019, 2017) and Middle Fork Vermilion River (2018).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2019

#1 Gila River, New Mexico
Gov. Grisham must choose a healthier, more cost-effective way to provide water to agriculture than by drying up the state’s last major free-flowing river.

#2 Hudson River, New York

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consider effective, nature-based alternatives to storm-surge barriers that would choke off this biologically rich tidal estuary.

#3 Upper Mississippi River, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri

State and federal agencies must enforce laws that prohibit illegal levees, which increase flood risk for communities and degrade vital fish and wildlife habitat.

#4 Green-Duwamish River, Washington

#5 Willamette River, Oregon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must immediately improve 13 dams to save wild chinook salmon and steelhead from going extinct.

#6 Chilkat River, Alaska

The Japanese investment firm, DOWA, must do the responsible thing and back out of a mining project that could decimate native salmon.

#7 South Fork Salmon River, Idaho

The U.S. Forest Service must safeguard endangered fish by denying a mining proposal that could pollute this tributary of the Wild and Scenic Salmon River.

#8 Buffalo National River, Arkansas

Gov. Hutchinson must demand closure of an industrial hog-farming facility that pollutes groundwater and threatens endangered species.

#9 Big Darby Creek, Ohio

Local leaders must use state-of-the-art science to craft a responsible development plan that protects this pristine stream.

#10 Stikine River, Alaska

The International Joint Commission of the United States and Canada must protect the river’s clean water, fish and wildlife, and indigenous communities by stopping harmful, polluting mines.

2019’s “River of the Year”: Cuyahoga River, Ohio

American Rivers celebrates the progress Cleveland has made in cleaning up the Cuyahoga River, fifty years since the river’s famous fire that sparked the nation’s environmental movement.

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS