July 17, 2018
Contact: David Moryc, 503-307-1137
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Bozeman – In a major victory for public lands and waters, a bipartisan House vote today advanced Wild and Scenic River protection for Montana’s East Rosebud Creek.
The legislation to designate 20 miles of East Rosebud Creek on the Custer Gallatin National Forest as Wild and Scenic was introduced by U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte (R). His bill, H.R. 4645, mirrors existing legislation (S.501) that passed the Senate by unanimous consent last December. The Senate bill was sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D) and co-sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R).
“This is a great testament to all the local residents who have worked so hard for so many years to protect this special river,” said Scott Bosse, American Rivers’ Northern Rockies Director in Bozeman. “It also demonstrates the bipartisan nature of protecting healthy rivers. Every Montanan will benefit from the passage of this bill.”
Protection of East Rosebud Creek has robust support from local homeowners, ranchers, businesses, sportsmen and conservationists. Assuming the bill clears one more procedural hurdle in the Senate and President Trump signs it into law, it will mark the first new Wild and Scenic designation to advance in 2018, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. And, it will be the first Wild and Scenic River protected in Montana in 42 years.
The campaign to permanently protect East Rosebud Creek started in 2009, when Bozeman-based Hydrodynamics Inc. applied for a permit to build a hydropower project just below the outlet of East Rosebud Lake. The project, which would have been located on federal public land within the Wild and Scenic eligible reach, would have entailed building an eight-foot high, 100-foot wide diversion dam, a two-mile long penstock, substation, powerhouse and transmission lines.
American Rivers and our conservation partners filed formal objections to the project and eventually convinced the hydropower company to abandon it in 2013. The formal protection afforded by the Wild and Scenic designation will forever prohibit construction of new dams or other harmful projects on East Rosebud Creek.
East Rosebud Creek tumbles from the Beartooth Plateau near Granite Peak, (Montana’s highest at 12,807 feet) and flows into the Stillwater River, a tributary of the Yellowstone. The area is a popular destination for trout anglers, whitewater paddlers, hikers, and rock climbers.
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2018
Contact:
Emily Driscoll, Southern Environmental Law Center, edriscoll@selcga.org, 678-686-8482
Kelly Marshall, Alabama Rivers Alliance, kmarshall@alabamarivers.org, 205-322-6395
Gerrit Jöbsis, American Rivers, gjobsis@americanrivers.org, 803-546-7926
Birmingham, AL—A federal court has unanimously ruled in favor of conservation groups by tossing a harmful license issued to Alabama Power for operation of seven hydroelectric dams on the Coosa River, addressing the longstanding problems the dams have caused for the river for the first time in decades.
On behalf of American Rivers and Alabama Rivers Alliance, the Southern Environmental Law Center has prevailed on appeal filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. The groups charged that the 30-year license violated the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Federal Power Act without adequate environmental studies, without sufficient protections for threatened and endangered aquatic wildlife and habitat, and without requiring Alabama Power to maintain minimum dissolved oxygen levels in the river system for water quality.
“We are thrilled that the Court clearly understands that improving the license conditions is the only viable option to restore the health of the Coosa River and ensure better protections for water quality and wildlife,” said Gil Rogers, Director of the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Georgia and Alabama offices. “After decades of degrading one of Alabama’s greatest rivers, it’s high time to bring these essential safeguards into the modern era.”
“This important ruling is a powerful example of how essential it is for citizens and conservation groups to be at the table when decisions are made about the health of our rivers,” said Cindy Lowry, Executive Director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance. “Since the relicensing of these dams only happens every 40 to 50 years, we must get it right or the water quality will suffer and we stand to lose even more species. After participating in this process for more than a decade to protect the integrity of the Coosa River for generations to come, we are ecstatic about the outcome of this case and what it means for future dam relicensing projects.”
“Poorly conceived and poorly operated dams are known to cause tremendous damage to rivers and the communities that depend on them—the Coosa River is among the worst examples of how extreme that damage can be,” said Gerrit Jöbsis, Senior Conservation Director with American Rivers. “American Rivers is delighted with the Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision that reins in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and halts the continued impacts that would have occurred under the new federal license.”
Once among the most biodiverse rivers in the world, the construction and operation of these hydroelectric dams spanning 225 miles along the Coosa River caused one of the most massive extinction events in the 20th century, wiping out more than 30 freshwater species. The river continues to support a number of fish, mussel and snail species, but many of them are teetering on the brink of extinction as a result of significant ecological degradation.
Issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the license would have dictated dam and reservoir management operations on the river for the next 30 years. The groups filed a petition in June 2013 with FERC, arguing that that the agency did not complete a thorough environmental impact statement as part of the relicensing and requesting that the license be rewritten. FERC denied the petition in April 2016, prompting the groups’ appeal.
Click here to read the decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.
About Southern Environmental Law Center:
For more than 30 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center has used the power of the law to champion the environment of the Southeast. With over 70 attorneys and nine offices across the region, SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast’s foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect our natural resources and the health and well-being of all the people in our region. southernenvironment.org
About Alabama Rivers Alliance:
Alabama Rivers Alliance is a statewide network of groups working to protect and restore all of Alabama’s water resources through building partnerships, empowering citizens, and advocating for sound water policy and its enforcement. For more information, please visit www.AlabamaRivers.org.
About American Rivers:
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country, including several in the Southeast, and more than 200,000 members, supporters, and volunteers. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at www.AmericanRivers.org.
July 5, 2018
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington – American Rivers today applauded the resignation of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“Administrator Pruitt was a disaster for clean drinking water and the health of the nation’s nearly three million miles of rivers. We welcome his resignation.
Scott Pruitt’s assault on the very protections he was supposed to uphold, his dealings with polluters, and his misuse of taxpayer dollars made him unfit for office.
One of his most harmful actions was attempting to reverse the Clean Water Rule, which safeguards the small streams and wetlands that are drinking water sources for one in three Americans. We urge Mr. Pruitt’s successor to support and fully implement the Clean Water Rule.
The head of the EPA should be a guardian of the environment. Our communities need a leader at EPA who will put our rivers, clean drinking water and the health of American families first.”
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
July 3, 2018
Contact: Matt Rice, 803-422-5244, mrice@americanrivers.org
David Nickum, 720-581-8589
Aspen – In a major victory for free-flowing rivers and Aspen’s iconic Maroon Bells, American Rivers and Colorado Trout Unlimited announced today that they signed an agreement with the City of Aspen to stop the development of two unnecessary new dams.
Since 2016, Aspen had been advancing a proposal to develop a 155-foot dam on Maroon Creek and a 170-foot dam on Castle Creek in the shadow of the Maroon Bells. The dams would have flooded private property as well as federally protected land in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, one of the most visited and photographed valleys in Colorado.
“This is a significant victory for rivers in Colorado,” said Matt Rice, Colorado River Basin Director for American Rivers. “We applaud the City of Aspen for working with the conservation community to find more sustainable and cost-effective water supply solutions. Thanks to the hard work and persistence of so many people who love this special place, these creeks will be protected forever from harmful new dams.”
“Sacrificing the places that make Colorado great is the wrong answer for meeting future water needs,” said David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “We appreciate the City of Aspen making this commitment to meet its water supply needs while protecting these much-loved valleys and creeks, and the wild trout that call them home.”
In December 2016, American Rivers and Colorado Trout Unlimited filed statements of opposition with the Colorado Water Court regarding Aspen’s application to continue conditional water rights to pursue construction of the dams. Aspen’s own 2016 water availability report clearly stated that the city did not need the two dams for municipal water supply or climate resiliency.
In the new agreement, Aspen commits to moving the water storage rights out of the Castle and Maroon Creek valleys forever, to alternate locations that won’t damage river health.
“With this agreement, Aspen is proving that smart development of water supplies and river protection go hand in hand,” said Rice. “This is the kind of leadership we need to see more of, here in Colorado, and across the West.”
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
American Rivers statement on Florida v. Georgia case
Contact: Ben Emanuel, 706-340-8868
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Atlanta – American Rivers today applauded the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of Florida v. Georgia, noting it provides the two states and the federal government the opportunity to work toward a lasting solution to water challenges.
American Rivers named the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin in Alabama, Florida and Georgia America’s Most Endangered River in 2016 because outdated water management and rising demand put the basin at a breaking point.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“The Court recognized that this river basin’s water-sharing challenges are very important and very complex, and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must work with the basin’s states to find lasting solutions to these challenges.”
“We hope that today’s ruling leads the states from water conflict to a new era of cooperation. The water supply challenges in this basin are great, but there is also fertile ground for new and sustainable water supply solutions.”
For more on the 2016 America’s Most Endangered River listing, see: https://www.americanrivers.org/conservation-resource/news-acf-basin-endangered/
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
June 20, 2018
Contact: Wendy McDermott, 970-275-2057
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Seattle — American Rivers announced today that it has been awarded a two-year, $100,000 grant from the Washington Women’s Foundation’s Pooled Fund to protect and restore rivers in the Puget Sound and Columbia River basins in Washington state.
The grant will enable American Rivers to advance work to protect the region’s last wild rivers, improve flood protection, and ensure sustainable water supplies for today’s communities and future generations.
“Washington is defined by water, but the region’s rivers and water supplies are under tremendous pressure from threats including dams, pollution and climate change,” said Wendy McDermott, Rivers of Puget Sound and Columbia Basin Director for American Rivers.
“If you turn on your water faucet every day, eat Washington-grown food, drink locally produced beer or wine, live or work in a floodplain, or enjoy the region’s outstanding natural areas, you should be concerned about the future of our rivers.”
American Rivers has a long presence in Washington, with a track record of protecting and restoring the region’s iconic rivers including the Columbia-Snake, Yakima, White, Elwha, White Salmon and many others.
“American Rivers has been a leading conservation advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest for more than 20 years, literally working ‘upstream’ with policymakers and state leaders to strike a balance between our communities’ needs and the health of our state’s rivers,” said Beth McCaw, Washington Women’s Foundation President and CEO. “It is a privilege to invest in their important work.”
With support from the Washington Women’s Foundation, American Rivers is pursuing the following specific goals:
1) Permanently protect healthy rivers and streams as Wild and Scenic;
2) Improve management of floodplains and restore floodplains and meadows;
3) Restore access to habitat for native fish by removing dams and/or improving fish passage facilities; and
4) Advance innovative projects aimed at reducing polluted water from flowing into Puget Sound, reducing the risk of harmful floods, and supplying clean water throughout Washington.
“We are committed to protecting the rivers that support this state’s economy, environment and quality of life, and we are grateful to the Washington Women’s Foundation for the generous grant to advance our critical conservation efforts. We have the pragmatism and experience to achieve significant conservation outcomes benefitting both rivers and communities,” McDermott said.
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
May 29, 2018
Contact: Amy Kober, akober@americanrivers.org, 503-708-1145
Over the weekend, Ellicott City, Maryland was hit by its second 1,000-year flood in two years. While the recovery effort continues along the Patapsco River, many in Maryland and across the country are asking how communities can protect themselves from flood damage in the future.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the damage and our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the flooding in Maryland,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.
“Ellicott City isn’t alone. Many communities across the country are struggling with increasingly severe flooding. When it comes to protecting people and property from floods, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. We encourage communities to rebuild in a way that increases their resilience. This includes using natural options and working with rivers to keep homes and businesses out of harm’s way.”
American Rivers has been working in the Patapsco River watershed for a decade, advancing dam removal and river restoration projects.
Experts from American Rivers are available for interviews to discuss how our nation can improve flood protection and public safety in Maryland and across the country. Specifically:
- The option of moving people and infrastructure out of floodplains.
- The perils of relying solely on traditional infrastructure, such as dams or levees – which in many cases are aging and outdated.
- Why officials must factor climate change impacts into planning decisions.
- Why flood risk management is much more effective then flood control for protecting property and lives.
- Why giving rivers and floodways more room is the best approach for managing floods and keeping people out of harm’s way.
- How pending water infrastructure legislation poses an opportunity to improve our approach to flood protection.
- Implications of flooding on the Bloede Dam removal project
Additional resources:
Natural Defenses: Safeguarding Communities From Floods:
https://www.americanrivers.org/conservation-resource/natural-defenses-safeguarding-communities-floods/
Weathering Change: Policy Reforms that Save Money and Make Communities Safer
https://www.americanrivers.org/conservation-resource/weathering-change/
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
April 10, 2018
Contact: Wendy McDermott, 970-275-2057
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Seattle – American Rivers announced a significant victory on Washington’s South Fork Skykomish River today, just one year after it named the river among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2017. The Snohomish County Public Utility District cancelled the Sunset Falls hydropower project that would have caused irreparable harm to the river, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities.
The proposed project would have rerouted a 1.1 mile stretch of the river through an underground tunnel to a powerhouse at the base of Sunset Falls.
“This is a major victory for everyone who values our region’s healthy, free-flowing rivers,” said Wendy McDermott with American Rivers. “Thanks to overwhelming public support and determined local activists, the South Fork Skykomish River has gone from ‘most endangered’ to ‘saved’. I commend the Snohomish PUD for making this prudent decision today.”
“The cancellation of the ill-advised Sunset Falls hydropower project means the river can continue to flow freely, supporting salmon and steelhead for generations to come,” McDermott said.
The South Fork Skykomish was declared by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council as a Protected Area under its Fish and Wildlife Program, which means it has been deemed an inappropriate location for hydropower development. The U.S. Forest Service has recommended the river for federal designation as a Wild and Scenic River due to its scenic, recreational, fish and wildlife values.
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
Contacts:
David Moryc, American Rivers: (503) 827-8648
Andrew Rehn, Prairie Rivers Network: (217) 344-2371 x 208
Lan Richart, Eco-Justice Collaborative: (773) 556-3417
www.AmericanRivers.org/Vermilion
Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018, citing the threat toxic coal ash poses to Illinois’ only Wild and Scenic River. More than 3 million cubic yards of waste from the Vermilion Power Station are sitting in three unlined pits along the bank of the river. The plant’s owner, Dynegy, is seeking approval to cap and abandon the pits forever.
“This is a critical year for the people of this region to stand up for clean water and claim the kind of future they want for their river,” said David Moryc with American Rivers. “Now is the time to raise our voices and demand that Dynegy stop polluting this Wild and Scenic River and act to ensure the company’s coal ash pits do not pose a perpetual threat to the health of the Middle Fork or create a financial burden on taxpayers.”
“I am pleased that this river is being recognized as an important resource,” said Michael Marron, Vermilion County Board Chairman. “The County is concerned about all of our resources and that includes the Middle Fork River. It is an important part of our economy and recreation. We hope for any positive steps in maintaining them responsibly.”
The beautiful and ecologically vibrant Middle Fork of the Vermilion flows through the heart of Kickapoo State Park, which attracts over 1 million visitors each year. Flanked by nearly 10,000 acres of public land, the Middle Fork of the Vermilion is home to the blue breast darter and silvery salamander, as well as 22 other threatened or endangered species. An archeological site along the river’s east bank is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes 1,000-year-old burial mounds.
“This river changes people. There aren’t many ways to experience nature like this in Illinois,” said Andrew Rehn, Water Resources Engineer with Prairie Rivers Network. “The Middle Fork needs to be protected from coal ash, so that future generations can enjoy its scenic beauty.”
In warm-weather months, thousands of visitors paddle a 13-mile river trail that passes directly by the coal ash pits, which are leaching arsenic, barium, boron, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and sulfate into the river. These contaminants are known to cause birth defects, cancer and neurological damage in humans, and can harm and kill wildlife, especially fish.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The people of Illinois are standing up for the Middle Fork Vermilion, the state’s only Wild and Scenic River,” said Moryc. “It’s time for the Illinois EPA and the Governor to listen, and ensure a positive legacy for future generations.”
“The coal ash pits were built irresponsibly close to the river,” said Mike Camp, local resident. “Making matters worse, natural river forces are eroding the riverbanks, so one huge flood could breach the pits tomorrow. Capping the pits won’t solve the problem. The only solution is to move the coal ash away from the river.”
In June of 2012, the Illinois EPA issued Dynegy a Notice of Violation of Class I Groundwater Standards. Six years later, the issue remains unresolved, and the IEPA is considering a cap and leave option. Dynegy hopes to have a final decision on its proposal to cap and abandon the pits this fall. American Rivers and partners are calling on the Illinois EPA to require Dynegy to stop polluting the river and ensure that their ash pits do not pose a continuing threat to this Wild and Scenic River. Dynegy must either remove the coal ash or demonstrate they can provide another solution that prevents the coal ash from polluting the river and does not leave taxpayers on the hook for ongoing monitoring, maintenance or cleanup in the event of a catastrophic coal ash spill.
“With recognition of the Middle Fork as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers, the spotlight is now directly on the Governor and the Illinois EPA,” said Lan Richart, Co-Director of Eco-Justice Collaborative. “Will they require Dynegy to clean up their waste, or allow them to abandon the site and leave behind 3.3 million cubic yards of toxic ash for future generations?”
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.
Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in past years include the Buffalo River (2017), Middle Mississippi River (2014), and Ozark National Scenic Riverways (2011).
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018
- Big Sunflower River, MS
- Threat – Army Corps pumping project
- At Risk – Critical wetlands and wildlife habitat
- Rivers of Bristol Bay, AK
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon runs, indigenous culture
- Boundary Waters, MN
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation economy
- Lower Rio Grande, TX
- Threat – Border wall
- At risk – River access, public safety, wildlife habitat
- South Fork Salmon River, ID
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon habitat
- Mississippi River Gorge, MN
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Habitat, recreation opportunities
- Smith River, MT
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation
- Colville River, AK
- Threat – Oil and gas development
- At risk – Clean water, wildlife
- Middle Fork Vermilion River, IL
- Threat – Coal ash pollution
- At risk – Clean water, Wild and Scenic River values
- Kinnickinnic River, WI
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Blue-ribbon trout stream
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
Contacts:
Scott Bosse, American Rivers, (406) 570-0455
Rich Hohne, Simms Fishing Products, (406) 922-1243
Derf Johnson, Montana Environmental Information Center, (406) 581-4634
www.AmericanRivers.org/SmithRiver
Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named Montana’s Smith River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018, citing the threat of a proposed copper mine to its legendary trout fishery.
“This is a critical year for Montanans to decide what kind of future we want for the Smith,” said Scott Bosse with American Rivers. “We’re calling on every Montanan who loves the Smith to weigh in on the draft environmental impact statement for the Black Butte copper mine. It’s now or never.”
The Smith River flows for 60 miles through a spectacular limestone canyon between the Little Belt and Big Belt Mountains, emptying into the Missouri River just south of Great Falls. It is nationally renowned among anglers for its thriving brown and rainbow trout fishery, stunning scenery, and incomparable riverside camping. Among the other wildlife that frequent the Smith River corridor are bald and golden eagles, osprey, moose, elk, mule and whitetail deer, black bear, and the occasional grizzly bear.
Australia-based Sandfire Resources America is proposing to develop the Black Butte copper mine underneath and directly adjacent to Sheep Creek, the most productive trout spawning stream in the Smith River drainage.
Removing copper from the ground poses serious environmental risks. The copper lies in a massive sulfide-ore body, which, when exposed to air and water, can produce acid mine drainage. There is also the likelihood that the mine will leach toxic heavy metals into nearby surface waters and produce discharges of wastewater high in nitrates that result from the use of blasting compounds. Finally, groundwater would have to be pumped from the mine, which could partially dry up Sheep Creek and its tributaries, thus destroying trout habitat.
A draft environmental impact statement will likely be released for public review in the fall of 2018. This will be the public’s best opportunity to weigh in on the Black Butte copper mine.
“For many of our employees, the chance to float the Smith River in the springtime is the highlight of the year,” said Rich Hohne, Marketing Director at Simms Fishing Products in Bozeman. “Not only is protecting the Smith critical to our way of life, but it’s also in our economic self-interest. The fishery on the Smith is worth $10 million annually, and it will keep on giving as long as we keep the river clean and free-flowing.”
“Mining has a toxic legacy in Montana,” said Derf Johnson of the Montana Environmental Information Center. “It’s already left us with the nation’s largest Superfund site along the Clark Fork River. Now is the time for Montanans to stand up and declare that we’re not willing to put the Smith River at risk.”
American Rivers recently joined with other groups to launch a campaign to put a responsible mining initiative on the state ballot in November 2018. If the initiative passes, it will allow the state of Montana to more easily deny any proposed mine that requires perpetual water treatment to deal with acid mine drainage and heavy metals contamination. Montanans’ support for this initiative could impact the fate of this project and future mining proposals that could pollute our rivers.
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.
Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in recent years include the Middle Fork of the Flathead River (2017), Smith River (2015 & 2016), Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers (2014), and Kootenai River (2013).
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018
- Big Sunflower River, MS
- Threat – Army Corps pumping project
- At Risk – Critical wetlands and wildlife habitat
- Rivers of Bristol Bay, AK
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon runs, indigenous culture
- Boundary Waters, MN
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation economy
- Lower Rio Grande, TX
- Threat – Border wall
- At risk – River access, public safety, wildlife habitat
- South Fork Salmon River, ID
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon habitat
- Mississippi River Gorge, MN
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Habitat, recreation opportunities
- Smith River, MT
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation
- Colville River, AK
- Threat – Oil and gas development
- At risk – Clean water, wildlife
- Middle Fork Vermilion River, IL
- Threat – Coal ash pollution
- At risk – Clean water, Wild and Scenic River values
- Kinnickinnic River, WI
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Blue-ribbon trout stream
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
Mississippi River Gorge and Kinnickinnic Among Nation’s Top Ten Rivers Facing Threats
Contacts:
Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers, 217-390-3658
Jill Crafton, Izaak Walton League of America, 952-944-5583
Michael Page, Friends of the Kinni, 612-810-3949
Chris Bye, Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, 612-940-1607
www.AmericanRivers.org/MSGorge
Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named two rivers in the Twin Cities region among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018, citing outdated dams that are harming fish and wildlife habitat and limiting recreation and economic revitalization opportunities. American Rivers and its partners called for removal of two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers locks and dams in the Mississippi River Gorge in Minneapolis, and two aging dams on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisconsin.
“This is a critical year for the people of this region to decide what kind of future we want for our rivers and clean water,” said Olivia Dorothy with American Rivers. “These dams have served their purpose, and now it’s time for them to go. We must seize this moment to restore the rivers to health and create positive change that will last for generations to come.”
The Mississippi River Gorge runs roughly eight miles from Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis to the Minnesota River confluence in Mendota, Minnesota. Commercial barge traffic ended in the Gorge in 2015, and two locks and dams owned by the Army Corps have eliminated the natural flow regime and, consequently, the river’s health and wildlife have suffered. The dams are also preventing the metro area from seizing the opportunity to restore the natural flow through this reach and potentially explore new recreational and economic opportunities. American Rivers and its partners are calling on the Army Corps to recommend to Congress that the locks and dams be removed.
“Continued maintenance and operation of these locks and dams would be costly and not in the best interest of taxpayers,” said Jill Crafton with the Izaak Walton League of America. “The locks and dams in the Gorge represent an outdated industrial vision of the river. It’s time to start a new chapter, where a healthy, restored river supports native fish and wildlife.”
“The historic rapids ecosystem in the Gorge offered important habitat for fish and wildlife,” said Dorothy. “This is an opportunity we shouldn’t miss to restore a lost Mississippi River ecosystem.”
The Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisconsin, is the last major tributary to the Wild and Scenic St. Croix River and is one of the best trout streams in the Midwest. But two dams have caused the river’s health to decline. American Rivers and its local partners are calling on the City of River Falls to support removal of both dams in a fiscally prudent, environmentally responsible, and timely manner.
“The costs, over time, of keeping these dams are far outweighed by the benefits of removal,” said Duke Welter of Trout Unlimited’s Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TU-DARE). “River Falls residents and visitors alike will appreciate the restored river corridor flowing right behind Main Street, where they can bike, walk, bird-watch or fish amid the natural beauty. It happened in Baraboo, where removal of four useless dams led to development of a beautiful river corridor with numerous recreational opportunities. This can happen in River Falls too.”
“The River Falls City Council passed a resolution on February 27th calling for eventual removal of both dams from the Kinni. This action acknowledges the fact that the complete restoration of the Kinnickinnic River through dam removal is the right thing to do and is in the best interest of the general public,” said Michael Page of Friends of the Kinni. “However, the City’s current timeline, which delays the removal of the Upper Junction Falls Dam another 20 or more years until a target date of 2040, is completely unacceptable for the health of the river and for the economic vitality of our adjacent Main Street Community.”
Dams can have significant negative impacts on river health, including disrupting natural flows, destroying habitat for fish and wildlife, and harming water quality. Dam removal is a scientifically proven and accepted solution for addressing outdated and aging dams. Many dams have successfully been removed across the country and in the Midwest to restore rivers, improve public safety, and eliminate liabilities for dam owners. Home of the Wisconsin inland brook trout state record, four dams have been removed in recent years from the Prairie River near Merrill, Wisconsin. In 1991, the Prairie Dells Dam was removed from the Prairie River resulting in a thirty-fold jump in brook trout reproduction, eliminating the need for hatchery fish stocking. In Baraboo, Wisconsin, four dams have been removed from the Baraboo River. The final removal of the Linen Mill Dam in 2001 resulted, at the time, in the longest restored free-flowing mainstream river in the nation, improving riverine habitat, recreation, and aesthetics in the newly established City of Baraboo Riverwalk.
Dam removal and river restoration can deliver a variety of economic benefits. A 2012 study found that every $1 million spent on Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration projects resulted in 10 to 13 jobs created or maintained. A 2010 study in Oregon found that every $1 million spent on forest and watershed restoration resulted in 15 to 23 new jobs and $2.1 to 2.3 million in economic activity. The economic benefits of dam removal are summarized in a 2016 report by Headwaters Economics.
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.
Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in past years include the Menominee River (2017), St. Louis River (2015), and Little Plover River (2013).
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018
- Big Sunflower River, MS
- Threat – Army Corps pumping project
- At Risk – Critical wetlands and wildlife habitat
- Rivers of Bristol Bay, AK
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon runs, indigenous culture
- Boundary Waters, MN
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation economy
- Lower Rio Grande, TX
- Threat – Border wall
- At risk – River access, public safety, wildlife habitat
- South Fork Salmon River, ID
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon habitat
- Mississippi River Gorge, MN
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Habitat, recreation opportunities
- Smith River, MT
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation
- Colville River, AK
- Threat – Oil and gas development
- At risk – Clean water, wildlife
- Middle Fork Vermilion River, IL
- Threat – Coal ash pollution
- At risk – Clean water, Wild and Scenic River values
- Kinnickinnic River, WI
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Blue-ribbon trout stream
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
Contacts:
Mike Fiebig, American Rivers, (406) 600-4061
Ava Isaacson, Idaho Rivers United, (208) 343-7481
www.AmericanRivers.org/SalmonRiver
Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named the South Fork of the Salmon River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018, citing the threat expanded open-pit gold mining in the area would pose to water quality and river health. American Rivers and its partners call on the U.S. Forest Service to protect the South Fork of the Salmon for future generations by prohibiting the reopening and expansion of the Stibnite Gold Mine at the river’s headwaters.
“This is a critical year for the people of this region to decide what kind of future we want for our rivers and clean water,” said Mike Fiebig with American Rivers. “The South Fork Salmon still boasts clear, free-flowing waters, and feeds the beloved Wild and Scenic Main Salmon downstream. It’s time for the U.S. Forest Service to put an end once and for all to toxic mining near this treasured river.”
The South Fork of the Salmon is a major tributary to the Wild and Scenic Salmon River— the second longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states. The Shoshone, Nez Perce, Bannock and Paiute tribes have used the river for fishing and hunting for generations. In addition to providing critical habitat for endangered chinook salmon and steelhead and threatened bull trout, the South Fork of the Salmon boasts some of the state’s best expert-level whitewater. The river has been found eligible and suitable for Wild and Scenic protection by the U.S. Forest Service.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Now is the time for the people of Idaho and everyone who loves the amazing Salmon River to stand up for clean water protections so we can ensure a positive legacy for future generations,” said Fiebig.
Gold and antimony mining began at the Stibnite site in the late 1800s. Since then, levels of arsenic, mercury, cyanide and antimony in the surrounding creeks and rivers have been high. After decades and $13 million spent to restore and reclaim legacy tailing and waste rock piles, heavy metals are on the decline.
Now a Canadian mining company has proposed reopening and expanding the open-pit mine. If allowed to proceed, the Stibnite Mine would unearth more arsenic, mercury and antimony that, through natural processes and potential accidents and spills, would deposit directly or indirectly into the South Fork of the Salmon River. Contaminated water will directly affect the fisheries, recreation economy and cultural importance of South Fork waters.
“Mining operations are inherently toxic for rivers,” said Fiebig. “State and federal agencies have worked hard to improve the water quality in this river, and it makes no sense to backtrack. Reopening this mine would have catastrophic repercussions not only for the South Fork of the Salmon River, but also the downstream communities that depend on a healthy Salmon River system for jobs, livelihoods and cultural heritage.”
“All I have to do is say ‘South Fork of the Salmon,’ and people speak willingly and with conviction. People have shown through their engagement how truly valuable and important the South Fork is to them,” said Ava Isaacson with Idaho Rivers United. “Citizens of Idaho are speaking loud and clear, and in resounding numbers, that the South Fork is more precious than gold. Idaho is blessed with wild rivers revered around the nation, and the South Fork of the Salmon is one of the state’s best,” Isaacson said. “This is a place where families go to camp and hike, where expert paddlers go to play and our amazing migratory fish go to spawn and renew the circle of life.”
Thousands of business owners, campers, hunters, anglers, rafters, kayakers and others have submitted comments to the U.S. Forest Service in opposition to the mine. In August 2018, the Payette National Forest will release a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Midas Gold proposed project, followed by a public comment period. The U.S. Forest Service must protect the health of the South Fork of the Salmon River by prohibiting the reopening and expansion of the Stibnite Mine.
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.
Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in past years include the Middle Fork Flathead River (2017), Smith River (2015, 2016, & 2018), and the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers (2014).
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018
- Big Sunflower River, MS
- Threat – Army Corps pumping project
- At Risk – Critical wetlands and wildlife habitat
- Rivers of Bristol Bay, AK
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon runs, indigenous culture
- Boundary Waters, MN
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation economy
- Lower Rio Grande, TX
- Threat – Border wall
- At risk – River access, public safety, wildlife habitat
- South Fork Salmon River, ID
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, salmon habitat
- Mississippi River Gorge, MN
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Habitat, recreation opportunities
- Smith River, MT
- Threat – Mining
- At risk – Clean water, recreation
- Colville River, AK
- Threat – Oil and gas development
- At risk – Clean water, wildlife
- Middle Fork Vermilion River, IL
- Threat – Coal ash pollution
- At risk – Clean water, Wild and Scenic River values
- Kinnickinnic River, WI
- Threat – Dams
- At risk – Blue-ribbon trout stream
About American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 275,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
