Media Items Archive

Border Wall Would Destroy Habitat, Increase Flood Risk, Block River Access

Contacts:
Chris Williams, American Rivers, 202-347-7550
Scott Nichol, Sierra Club, 956-532-5983
Jen Pelz, Rio Grande Waterkeeper | WildEarth Guardians, 303-884-2702

www.AmericanRivers.org/RioGrande

Washington — American Rivers today named the Lower Rio Grande among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018, shining a national spotlight on the threat construction of an additional 30 or more miles of border wall poses to the health of the river and access for border communities.

“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 Chris Williams, Senior Vice President of Conservation at American Rivers. “The Rio Grande is so much more than a border. It is a life-giving source of water, a cultural crossroads, a pillar for local economies, a scenic treasure, and a unique freshwater ecosystem. Construction of a border wall, unhindered by any meaningful environmental review, disrupts and damages that ecosystem, impacting everything that depends on it.”

President Trump has proposed the construction of hundreds of miles of new border walls along the Rio Grande, and Congress has agreed to fund this first phase of construction. The first 30 miles of this new phase of wall building have already been mapped, and preparations are under way for construction in the Lower Rio Grande floodplain. Much of this new construction will be “levee-walls”— essentially a steel fence on top of a large levee— that will cut the Rio Grande off
from its floodplain, potentially exacerbating flooding and erosion and blocking access to this lifegiving resource for people and wildlife.

In the coming years, President Trump will likely push Congress to fund additional border wall construction. Trump has called the current $1.57 billion appropriation a “down payment” on an eventual $25 billion over ten years. American Rivers called on Congress to refuse to appropriate another penny for this damaging and wasteful project, thus preventing further harm to what little remains of Lower Rio Grande habitat.

“Having watched border walls go up along the Rio Grande and seen first-hand the damage that they inflict, the idea of more border walls fragmenting national wildlife refuges and disrupting the floodplain is horrifying,” said Scott Nichol, Borderlands Team Co-Chair with the Sierra Club. “Environmental laws have been brushed aside for existing border walls and will be ignored for future ones, setting up the Lower Rio Grande for environmental harm that would otherwise be a
violation of the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and other bedrock protections. It is crucial that this river, which is the lifeblood of so many communities and ecosystems, be protected from such destruction.”

“The Rio Grande is the heart and soul of the desert southwest,” said Jen Pelz, Rio Grande Waterkeeper and Wild Rivers Program Director at WildEarth Guardians. “Building a wall that divides its beauty, its communities, and its rich diversity will not only destroy and divide the region, but may be the last nail in the coffin of this imperiled icon and the life it supports.”

The ecologically rich Lower Rio Grande valley is one of the most diverse places in North America. Although threatened in the early part of the century due to development for cities and farms, vital habitat— in the Santa Ana and Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuges— is now protected to provide refuge for thousands of plants, 500 species of birds, 300 species of butterflies, and a broad array of wildlife, including the critically imperiled ocelot. Building a wall
threatens these last refuges in the region.

New Rio Grande border walls will have multiple impacts: habitat corridors will be severed and endangered species will be pushed closer to extinction; natural inflows into the river will be disrupted; wetlands will be destroyed; floodwaters will be deflected, potentially moving the river channel; flooding in communities along the river will be worsened; and access to the river for residents and landowners will be disrupted.

“New walls would cost taxpayers billions, trigger a host of unintended consequences and cause irreversible harm,” said Williams. “It’s time to scrap the misguided push for additional border walls, and prioritize solutions that safeguard the river and the people and wildlife that depend on it.”

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 Lower Colorado River (2017), Gila River (2014), and San Saba 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.

Rivers of Bristol Bay and Colville River Among Nation’s Top Ten Rivers Facing Threats

Contacts:

David Moryc, American Rivers, 503-307-1137

Lindsay Layland, United Tribes of Bristol Bay, 907-842-1687

David Krause, The Wilderness Society, 907-272-9453 x102

Katherine Carscallen, Sustaining Bristol Bay Fisheries, 907-843-2006

www.AmericanRivers.org/BristolBay

www.AmericanRivers.org/Colville

Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named multiple Alaska rivers among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018, citing mining and oil and gas extraction that threatens pristine waters, fisheries, wildlife and indigenous cultures.

The Rivers of Bristol Bay, including the Nushagak and Kvichak rivers, are at risk from the massive Pebble Mine that could devastate Alaska’s most important salmon fishery and threatens the traditional way of life in the region. The Colville River is threatened by oil and gas development that would impact wildlife habitat and native culture along one of country’s last remaining wild rivers.

“America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a call to action to save these national treasures,” said David Moryc with American Rivers. “The Trump administration is going too far with its reckless push to exploit our public lands and waters. The American people must decide: will we sacrifice these rivers so industries can make a quick profit, or will we protect them so that we can benefit from their clean water and natural riches for generations to come?”

The Nushagak and Kvichak rivers of Bristol Bay support the world’s largest run of sockeye salmon, the traditional way of life for dozens of Alaska Native tribes who depend on clean water for hunting and fishing, and a sustainable multi-billion dollar commercial fishing industry. Unfortunately, this priceless resource is once again threatened by the Pebble Mine after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) launched a fast-tracked 30-day public scoping process on March 30, 2018, to kick off the federal permitting process and environmental review of the project. American Rivers and its partners are calling on the USACE to give more time for Bristol Bay Tribes and residents to weigh in on the project, and conduct a more rigorous review than the fast-tracked process that is currently underway.

“The pristine waters of Bristol Bay have sustained the traditional way of life in Southwest Alaska for thousands of years and the most impressive wild sockeye salmon run on the planet. Our livelihoods, our clean lands and waters, and our fishing economy depend on these river systems. Now is the time for everyone who recognizes the importance of this region to take action to protect Bristol Bay,” said Alannah Hurley, Executive Director of United Tribes of Bristol Bay.

The Colville River is at risk from the administration’s renewed push for oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. While the name may conjure up images of roads, pipelines and drilling platforms, the Reserve is a largely undisturbed place vital to polar bears, wolves, moose, caribou, grizzly bears and musk oxen. For residents of the region, the Colville River is extremely important for subsistence resources and practices. The river is a source of food and sustenance, and the waterway serves as an important transportation route to traditional use areas and culturally important sites. American Rivers and its partners are calling on Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to maintain protections that safeguard the Colville’s ecological and cultural values.

“The Colville is one of America’s great Arctic rivers with incredible ecological and cultural significance. It flows through some of the last great wilderness left on the planet and must be protected from the unavoidable and irreversible impacts of oil and gas development,” said David Krause, Arctic Lands Conservation Specialist at The Wilderness Society.

“The western arctic is home to millions of migratory birds and numerous species of land mammals who all depend on the clean water of the Reserve’s lakes and rivers. The Colville River is one of the most productive rivers in northern Alaska,” said Lisa Baraff, program director at the Northern Alaska Environmental Center. “Industrial intrusion and development threaten a way of life that has existed for generations. The harvest of traditional foods and cultural practices should be prioritized and protected. The Colville should be free to flow and sustain life.”

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 Chuitna River (2015) and Bristol Bay Rivers (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

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

List highlights threats Trump administration, Congress pose to clean water nationwide.

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. This year’s report spotlights threats posed by the Trump administration and its supporters in Congress to iconic rivers and clean water supplies, public health, and communities nationwide.

From draining critical wetlands on Mississippi’s Big Sunflower River to mining in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters and the rivers of Alaska’s Bristol Bay, to building a border wall on the Lower Rio Grande, America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2018 illustrates the impacts that this administration and Congress could have on clean water and people for decades to come.

“In our many years of issuing the America’s Most Endangered Rivers report, we’ve seldom seen a collection of threats this severe, or an administration so bent on undermining and reversing protections for clean water, rivers and public health,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.

“This is the kind of destruction that will be difficult and, in some cases, impossible to reverse. If the Trump administration and its supporters in Congress succeed in rolling back bedrock environmental protections and handing over our rivers to polluters, the health, well-being and natural heritage of our nation’s families and communities will be impoverished for generations to come. We cannot let that happen.”

The following rivers on this year’s list will be directly impacted by decisions from the Trump administration and Congress:

Big Sunflower River (Mississippi), threatened by revival of the Army Corps of Engineers Yazoo Pumps project that would drain critical wetlands at enormous taxpayer expense.
Rivers of Bristol Bay (Alaska), threatened by the world’s biggest open pit mine that could devastate a $1.5 billion salmon fishery.
Boundary Waters (Minnesota), threatened by mining that would pollute pristine waters and harm a thriving recreation economy.
Lower Rio Grande (Texas), threatened by a border wall that would cut off people and communities from the river, exacerbate flooding, and destroy wildlife habitat.
South Fork Salmon River (Idaho), threatened by mining that could have lasting consequences for clean water and the Wild and Scenic mainstem Salmon River.
Mississippi River Gorge (Minnesota), threatened by obsolete locks and dams preventing revitalization of river health and recreation in downtown Minneapolis.
Colville River (Alaska), threatened by oil and gas development that imperils clean water and habitat for polar bears, wolves and caribou.

“Healthy rivers are essential to public health, our economy, and the well-being of our nation. We must insist that those tasked with managing our water resources have the best interests of the public in mind. America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2018 highlights critical upcoming decisions and paints a stark picture of what’s at stake. It’s an important call to action that we must amplify nationwide,” said Jo-Ellen Darcy, former Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and American Rivers board member.

On the #1 river on this year’s list, the Big Sunflower in Mississippi, members of Congress are pushing to undermine the Clean Water Act to resurrect the Yazoo Pumps, one of the most environmentally damaging projects ever proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If allowed to advance, it would be the first time ever that an EPA veto of a Corps project (the George W. Bush EPA stopped the project in 2008) was overturned by Congress, undermining the authority of the EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act.

The Yazoo Pumps Project would damage more than 200,000 acres of wetlands in the Big Sunflower River watershed in the heart of the Mississippi River Flyway. More than 450 species of fish and wildlife, including the Louisiana black bear, rely on the wetlands habitat that would be drained by the project.

“The Yazoo Pumps are a boondoggle of the worst kind,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Why would anyone want to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to destroy an astonishing 200,000 acres of vital fish and wildlife habitat—just to benefit a few landowners? This project is pure folly that falls apart under the slightest scrutiny.”

The Lower Rio Grande, #4 on this year’s list, is threatened by border wall construction that would cut the Rio Grande off from its floodplain, potentially exacerbating flooding and erosion and blocking access to this life-giving resource for people and wildlife.

“There is nothing American about building a border wall that threatens a great river and its wildlife and tears communities apart. This wall is wholly contrary to our nation’s values. Echoing President Reagan in West Berlin in 1987: Mr. Trump, tear down this wall,” said Theodore Roosevelt IV.

“Water and rivers are an essential part of our life and if we don’t preserve them we’ll be doing an infinite amount of damage to future generations,” Roosevelt said.

Threats facing many of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018 would have a significant impact on indigenous, Latinx, and African American communities. Destroying the Big Sunflower’s wetlands would impact subsistence fishing for low-income families and communities of color. Mining in Bristol Bay and the South Fork Salmon would harm wild salmon runs, which are central to the cultures and livelihoods of Alaska Natives and Native American tribes respectively. A wall along the Rio Grande would prevent people from accessing the river and create additional flood risks and other challenges for border communities.

“Every drop of water we drink connects us to a river. If our rivers aren’t healthy, our communities aren’t healthy,” said Irvin. “The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action. Everyone deserves safe, clean water.”

In its 33rd 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 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

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

Contacts:

Jessie Thomas-Blate, American Rivers: (202) 347-7550

Lauren Eggert, Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters: (612) 419-3423

Lauren Berutich, Great Old Broads for Wilderness: (970) 385-9577

Chris Rackens, The Wilderness Society: (202) 429-2643

Mike Foreman, American Canoe Association: mforeman@americancanoe.org

www.AmericanRivers.org/BoundaryWaters

Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018, citing the grave threat a proposed copper mine poses to America’s most popular wilderness. American Rivers and its partners called on the Trump administration and Congress to permanently protect this well-loved Wilderness by resisting mining-industry proposals and upholding conservation law and water quality standards.

“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 Jessie Thomas-Blate with American Rivers. “Ruining the Boundary Waters’ untouched ecosystem and endangering the 27,000 jobs it supports is out of line with Minnesota’s values. It’s a risk that Minnesotans simply cannot afford.”

The Boundary Waters contains 1.1 million acres of interconnected rivers and lakes along the U.S.-Canada border. This Wilderness lies within the Superior National Forest and has over 1,200 miles of canoe and kayak routes and 237.5 miles of hiking trails. Its granite cliffs, boreal forest and clean waters are home to moose, bear, lynx, bald eagles, loons, wolves, walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass. The Boundary Waters attracts more than 150,000 visitors per year for its world-class canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, fishing and other outdoor recreation activities.

Despite the popularity and ecological and cultural worth of this pristine Wilderness, a massive proposed copper-nickel mine threatens to destroy it. Twin Metals, owned by Chilean mining company Antofagasta, is seeking permits to build Minnesota’s largest sulfide-ore copper mine, near the edge of the Boundary Waters along the banks of the Kawishiwi River.

Hardrock mining is notoriously dirty— the most toxic industry in America, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Acid mine drainage pollutes water, destroys critical habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species, disrupts biodiversity of surrounding forests and soils, and poses a serious risk to human health. Scientific and economic studies show that sulfide-ore copper mining along lakes and streams that flow into the Boundary Waters would endanger not only premier fishing, hunting and other recreational activities, but also the stable, sustainable economy of Northeastern Minnesota. Economic analysis shows that sulfide-ore copper mining could lead to the loss of up to 22,000 jobs, $1.6 billion in annual income, and $509 million in private property values.

“Similar mines elsewhere generate hundreds of millions of tons of waste rock and require active water management for hundreds or even thousands of years,” said Thomas-Blate. “Twin Metals and other companies with mining interests in the region would transform the edge of this unique Wilderness into an industrial mining zone. The likelihood of a water contamination event in the future is high.”

“Recent polling found that 70 percent of Minnesotans are opposed to this risky type of mining anywhere near the Boundary Waters. Since American Rivers first designated the Boundary Waters as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® in 2013, more Minnesotans are waking up to the threats caused by this Chilean mining giant,” said Doug Niemela of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness. “These folks are not sitting idly by while these threats gain new life through this Administration. Hunters and anglers, business owners, Wilderness edge camps, nurses and physicians, students and teachers are among those making their voices heard; they are attending meetings, making phone calls, writing letters and emails, even traveling to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators to voice their opposition to putting America’s most toxic industry next to America’s most visited Wilderness.”

Under the Obama Administration, the U.S. Forest Service advanced toward semi-permanent protection of the Boundary Waters from mining, including: (i) denial of renewal requests for federal mining leases, and (ii) initiating an environmental review process to consider a 20-year mining ban for 234,328 acres of Superior National Forest lands near the Boundary Waters.

However, the Trump Administration has now reversed its legal position on the denied mineral leases, opening the door to consider renewal of the previously denied federal mining leases in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters. Further, the Trump Administration has scaled back its evaluation of the impact of a future mining ban; the U.S. Forest Service is proceeding with an Environmental Assessment of the withdrawal proposal.

To protect the watershed of the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining, the U.S. Forest Service must prepare a rigorous, unbiased and science-based environmental study of the potentially devastating impacts of mining near the Boundary Waters. With scientific support, the U.S. Forest Service should submit a strong recommendation to Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to instate a 20-year ban (the maximum currently allowed by law) on mining on 234,328 acres of Superior National Forest lands.

“Last year, The Wilderness Society identified the Boundary Waters as one of 15 treasured but at-risk places in America that are far ‘Too Wild to Drill’,” said Chris Rackens with The Wilderness Society. “This paradise for canoeing, camping and fishing, faces threats posed by sulfide-ore mining being pushed by foreign mining companies, the Trump Administration and their allies in Congress. Decades of careful stewardship would be undone if sulfide-ore mining were allowed to pollute the sensitive habitat and connected waterways of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, which contain 20 percent of all the fresh water in the National Forest System.”

“The Boundary Waters serves as critical habitat for wildlife, unique plant species, and as an invaluable escape into America’s most popular wilderness area. Development on the border of this rich and pristine ecosystem threatens the health and wellness of this critical watershed and harms the economic vitality of Minnesota’s destination towns,” said Lauren Berutich with Great Old Broads for Wilderness. “Sulfide-ore copper mining should be permanently banned from this area. Americans treasure public lands and waters and they deserve our protection.”

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 Boundary Waters were previously included on this list in 2013 for this same mining issue. Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in recent 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

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

Army Corps ‘Yazoo Pumps’ Project Would Burden Taxpayers, Destroy Vital Wetlands

Contacts:

Amy Kober, American Rivers, 503-708-1145

Andrew Whitehurst, Gulf Restoration Network, 601-954-7236
John Ruskey, Quapaw Canoe Company, 662-902-7841

Shannon McMulkin, Lower Mississippi River Foundation, 870-753-8954

Louie Miller, Sierra Club, 601-624-3503

www.AmericanRivers.org/BigSunflower

Washington — American Rivers today named the Big Sunflower River America’s Most Endangered River of 2018, shining a national spotlight on the threat a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project, the Yazoo Pumps, poses to wetlands, wildlife habitat and the livelihoods of local communities.

“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 Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “The Yazoo Pumps project is one of the most environmentally devastating and fiscally reckless projects ever proposed by the Army Corps. It’s time to kill this boondoggle project once and for all.”

Some members of Congress are pushing to undermine the Clean Water Act to resurrect the Yazoo Pumps, a project so damaging that the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush vetoed it using the Clean Water Act in 2008. The $300 million project would drain and damage 200,000 acres of wetlands (the size of all five boroughs of New York City) to support already-subsidized cotton fields.

“The project costs would exceed a quarter of a billion dollars and would benefit a handful of landowners. It’s effectively a multi-million dollar handout to each individual landowner, on top of the farm subsidies they already get,” said Louie Miller, director of Mississippi Sierra Club. “This pork-barrel project didn’t pass the smell test then and it doesn’t now. This project is the poster child for wasting taxpayer money.”

More than 450 species of fish and wildlife, including the Louisiana black bear, rely on the wetlands habitat that would be drained by the project. If allowed to advance, it would be the first Clean Water Act veto overturned by Congress, setting a dangerous precedent for overriding the authority of the Clean Water Act.

“The Big Sunflower River is holding its own as a functioning floodplain stream against many human impacts, primarily from agriculture,” said Andrew Whitehurst, water program director for Gulf Restoration Network. “Biologically, the river still supports a surprising variety of freshwater mussels, and research has shown that channel catfish growth is actually better there than in many other rivers around Mississippi, mainly because it is still connected to its floodplain. De-watering the Lower Yazoo River with pumps would degrade important functioning features of this river system.”

American Rivers and its partners called on Congress and the Trump administration to cease any efforts to resurrect and fund the Yazoo Pumps project. In addition, American Rivers urged Congress to defend the integrity of the Clean Water Act, including the vitally important Clean Water Act veto authority.

“Tens of thousands of paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts come to the Lower Mississippi Valley for our beautiful muddy bayous, cypress swamps and healthy water systems – not to see dried-out rivers,” said John Ruskey, owner of Quapaw Canoe Company. “Nature tourism is the fastest-growing segment of all tourism. We Lower Mississippi River paddlers and our clients are very concerned about the health of the remaining rivers and floodplains in the Deep South, including the Sunflower River.”

The Yazoo Pumps project will have a negative impact on local residents. It will increase flood risk downstream and degrade natural resources in the delta, an area where low-income and minority communities rely on fishing and hunting for subsistence.

“We have seen time and time again that decreasing wetland area increases the chances of flooding downstream,” said Shannon McMulkin, Executive Director of the Lower Mississippi River Foundation. “Calling this project ‘flood control’ is like dumping trash in the river and calling it garbage control. It solves a problem by pushing it off on someone downstream.”

Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in recent years include the Pascagoula River (2016) and Pearl River (2015).

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

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

86 Dams Removed Last Year to Improve Public Safety, River Health

February 14, 2018

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145 or Jessie Thomas-Blate, 609-658-4769

View the full list of dams removed in 2017: www.AmericanRivers.org/2017DamRemovals

Database of all dam removals: www.AmericanRivers.org/DamRemovalDatabase

Map of all dam removals: www.AmericanRivers.org/DamRemovalsMap

(Washington) – A record number of outdated dams were removed in 2017, bringing public safety, new recreation opportunities and improved fish and wildlife habitat to communities nationwide, American Rivers announced today.

Eighty-six dams were torn down in 2017, beating the previous high number of 78 dams in 2014. Communities in 21 states, working in partnership with non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies, removed the dams to restore more than 550 miles of streams.

Dams were removed in the following states: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

In 2017, Pennsylvania had the highest number of removals for the fifteenth year in a row. The top three states removing outdated dams in 2017 were:

Pennsylvania – 16 dams removed
California – 10 dams removed
Massachusetts– 9 dams removed

“The record number of dams removed in 2017 shows that more communities see clean, free-flowing rivers as vital to their health, economy and future,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “The river conservation movement in our country is stronger than ever and we applaud all of the people who contributed to this major milestone. Our hard work is paying off.”

“While we celebrate this positive momentum, we must remain vigilant. Our nation is in danger of slipping backward when it comes to clean water and river health,” Irvin said. “Budget cuts and environmental rollbacks from the Trump Administration and Congress threaten to reverse the laudable progress communities across the country are making at the local level.”

“The river restoration successes from 2017 illustrate the kind of future communities want. Decision makers should pay attention.”

American Rivers is the only organization maintaining a record of dam removals in the United States. The database includes information on 1,492 dams that have been removed across the country since 1912. Most of those dams (1,275) were removed in the past 30 years. American Rivers played a role in 14 of the dam removals on this year’s list. The list includes all known dam removals, regardless of the extent of American Rivers’ involvement.

Factors that contributed to the record number of dams removed in 2017 include increased awareness about the benefits of removing outdated, unsafe dams; efforts by American Rivers and others to train organizations and increase capacity to manage dam removal projects; and the cost of maintaining aging dams, which pose liability and safety hazards for their owners.

The American Society of Civil Engineers gives the nation’s dams a D grade in its report card on the nation’s infrastructure. One of the most cost-effective ways to deal with outdated, unsafe dams is to remove them. When a dam is removed, a river can flow naturally, which has benefits for water supply, flood protection, wildlife habitat and ecosystem health.

“Healthy rivers are the veins and arteries of our country. Rivers are our original infrastructure. We need to keep investing in clean, free-flowing rivers if we want a future of secure water supplies, and safe, thriving communities,” said Irvin.

Highlights of dam removal and river restoration efforts in 2017 include:

Lock and Dam No. 6, Green River, KY

In recent years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Louisville District undertook an economic assessment of navigation dams on the Green and Barren rivers in Kentucky, and received Congressional approval to de-authorize (i.e., retire) five little-used locks and dams. Lock and Dam No. 6 on the Green River was deteriorating and posed a safety hazard. It was removed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in April 2017, improving habitat for fish, mussels and invertebrates. The dam’s impoundment was filling a portion of Mammoth Cave National Park with water and sediment, and thanks to the dam removal, that part of the caves will now be accessible for archaeological study. The project is precedent-setting for removing uneconomical, expensive federal navigation infrastructure and for the federal partnership between the Army Corps and USFWS. Other project partners include Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Mammoth Cave National Park, The Nature Conservancy and Kentucky Waterways Alliance.

Lower Eklutna River Dam, Eklutna River, AK

Originally built to provide hydropower, but no longer in use, the Lower Eklutna River Dam was removed in October 2017 in one of Alaska’s most ambitious habitat restoration projects ever. The Eklutna Native Corporation and the Native Village of Eklutna partnered with The Conservation Fund to work within a brief construction window in a 300-foot deep steep-walled canyon to open seven miles of the Eklutna River for salmon migration. This project has provided construction work for the local community, boosting the economy and helping to restore salmon runs that are vital for cultural heritage and sustenance.

Hamant Brook Lower, Middle, and Upper Pond Dams, Hamant Brook, MA

Three dams on Hamant Brook in Massachusetts were removed in Fall 2017 to allow native trout and endangered turtles access to important habitat. Hamant Brook runs through the Leadmine Conservation Area—880 acres of protected municipal conservation land. The project includes work to improve public access to the protected lands, while removing a public safety hazard and improving habitat for fish and wildlife. The Hamant Brook Restoration Project is supported by the landowners (Town of Sturbridge and Old Sturbridge Village), in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, American Rivers, and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration.

Boardman Dam, Boardman River, MI

The Boardman River Dam removal is part of a larger restoration effort to address four barriers along the Boardman River in Michigan. This project not only removed an impediment to fish passage, but also improved a river crossing for local residents. Previously, the Brown Bridge Dam was removed in 2013, and plans are in place to remove Sabin Dam and modify Union Street Dam in the near future. The largest river restoration project in Michigan’s history, collectively the project will restore more than three river miles of native coldwater fish habitat, more than 250 acres of wetlands and nearly 60 acres of upland habitat.

View the full list of dams removed in 2017: www.AmericanRivers.org/2017DamRemovals

About American Rivers

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

Press Release from American Rivers, Charleston Waterkeeper, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Clean Water Action, Coastal Conservation League, Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Rappahannock, North Carolina Coastal Federation, North Carolina Wildlife Federation and the Southern Environmental Law Center

For Release: February 6, 2018

Contacts: Southern Environmental Law Center, Kathleen Sullivan, 919-945-7106 or ksullivan@selcnc.org

Representing:

American Rivers, Amy Kober, 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Kevin Jeselnik, 404-352-9828, kjeselnik@chattahoochee.org
Clean Water Action, Michael Kelly, 202-895-0420×103, mkelly@cleanwater.org
Defenders of Wildlife, Gwen Dobbs, 202-772-0269, gdobbs@defenders.org
N.C. Coastal Federation, Danielle Herman, 252-393-8185, danielleh@nccoast.org

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Conservation groups today challenged in court the administration’s effort to strip away crucial clean water protections from rivers, lakes, streams and other waters that feed drinking-water sources for nearly 20 million people in the South and 117 million people across the country. The legal challenge, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, opens a major court battle over EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ suspension of clean water protections under the Clean Water Act, one of the nation’s bedrock environmental laws. The suspension of standards is the first of several steps announced by the administration to repeal long-standing clean water protections.

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed today’s challenge on behalf of American Rivers, Clean Water Action, Defenders of Wildlife, Charleston Waterkeeper, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Coastal Conservation League, Friends of the Rappahannock, North Carolina Coastal Federation, and North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

“Clean water is a way of life we take for granted in this nation thanks to bipartisan laws passed almost 50 years ago, but large polluters now want to dismantle all our protections,” said Blan Holman, a managing attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center which is representing the coalition in court. “The administration is pretending that pollution dumped upstream doesn’t flow downstream, but its plan puts the water used by hundreds of millions of Americans for drinking, bathing, cooking, and recreation at risk. We are going to court to protect clean water across the country.”

“By delaying the Clean Water Rule, the Trump administration is making clear that it has no intention of protecting our rivers, wetlands and clean water,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “Without the Clean Water Rule’s critical protections, innumerable small streams and wetlands that are essential for drinking water supplies, flood protection, and fish and wildlife habitat will be vulnerable to unregulated pollution, dredging and filling.”

The lawsuit contends that EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated long-standing law that prohibits agencies from altering basic environmental safeguards without giving the public notice and a chance to weigh in. According to the lawsuit, the agencies failed at their most basic responsibilities: evaluating the effect of their reckless actions and allowing the public to comment on their decision to eliminate scientifically backed protections for streams and wetlands.

“The Trump administration’s attempt to roll back federal protections for some of the most sensitive wetlands and streams is irresponsible,” said Bob Dreher, senior vice president for conservation programs, Defenders of Wildlife. “All endangered species, from grizzlies in Montana to panthers in Florida, depend upon drinking water for survival. This action will prioritize industry over communities and wildlife and put both at unnecessary risk.”

The agencies have 60 days to respond to the lawsuit.

“It’s long past time when Congress intended for all of our waters to be fishable, swimmable, and drinkable ─ the Trump administration’s decision will make it impossible to achieve that goal,” said Jennifer Peters, Clean Water Action’s National Water Programs Director. “We’re fighting to ensure the interests of polluters are not put before the interests of everyday people who expect strong Clean Water Act protections for their drinking water sources.”

“We depend on clean water to live, work and play here along the North Carolina coast,” said Todd Miller, executive director of the North Carolina Coastal Federation. “With this action, we hope to defend reasonable and prudent regulatory safeguards that are vital to our healthy coastal economy and environment.”

“This rule is a rushed political decision that should be based on science, like the Clean Water Rule is,” said Tim Gestwicki, chief executive officer, North Carolina Wildlife Federation. “Wildlife need clean water and hunters and anglers know that without it, there won’t be ducks to hunt or fish to catch. Folks who love our streams, rivers, and wetlands deserve better.”

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. www.SouthernEnvironment.org

About American Rivers

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

February 5, 2018

Contact: Jeff Odefey, 415-589-0642 | jodefey@americanrivers.org
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145 | akober@americanrivers.org

Tucson – A series of water bills introduced in Arizona’s Senate last week would cause more harm than good and are not the solutions Arizonans need to ensure a future of reliable water supplies, economic growth and healthy rivers.

The bills (SB 1507 and HR 2512) do not provide certainty for water users and managers, do not protect groundwater supplies, and do not help minimize the risk of a shortage declaration from low Lake Mead water levels. None of the bills get to the heart of the problem: that we are taking more water out of the system than the Colorado River can provide.

Arizona must respond to this challenge with collaboratively developed plans to adjust to reduced Colorado River supplies. Unfortunately, the bills dodge a critical need for Arizona to reach agreement on a multi-state Drought Contingency Plan that would reduce risk to the state’s Colorado River supply.

“At a moment when Arizona is facing deep challenges managing its water supply for a secure future, it’s disheartening to see the Legislature and elected leaders pass up an opportunity to develop real solutions,” said Jeff Odefey, Director, Clean Water Supply with American Rivers.

“The state’s water providers and users are capable of reaching collaborative, far-reaching agreements. They need leadership to address the problems created by long-term drought and over-allocation, not short term actions that threaten critical habitats and groundwater resources. The Colorado River and all Arizonans deserve that kind of commitment, one that will allow Arizona to join other Lower Basin states in agreeing to a Drought Contingency Plan.”

“At stake is drinking water for people, irrigation water for farms, ranches, and wineries, water for businesses, and water for our abundant wildlife and natural heritage. So when it comes to planning our water future, it’s critical we get it right. These bills miss the mark,” Odefey said.

American Rivers supports the Water for Arizona Coalition, a joint effort of organizations who support policies and innovative practices to ensure a reliable water supply to meet the state’s needs. The Coalition represents over 60,000 Arizona members, as well as hundreds of hunters, anglers, and others who enjoy outdoor recreation across the state.

For more on water management solutions in Arizona, see:

https://www.americanrivers.org/2018/02/planning-drought-good-arizona/

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

January 31, 2018

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Washington –The Trump Administration today formally delayed implementation of the Clean Water Rule, the latest in a series of judicial and administrative maneuvers that strip protection from small streams and wetlands and put the drinking water sources for one in three Americans in jeopardy.

“This action is unwise, harms the public, and violates the law. We will challenge the administration in court and look forward to defending clean water for families and communities,” Irvin said.

Across the country, small streams and wetlands protected by the Clean Water Rule contribute to the drinking water supplies of 117 million Americans, and provide tremendous economic benefits by reducing flooding and pollution, recharging groundwater, and providing wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.

“Healthy rivers and streams are vital to our communities and economy, and the health of millions of Americans. President Trump and EPA Administrator Pruitt want to throw away carefully crafted safeguards that were based on strong economic arguments, sound science and broad public support, Irvin said. “We won’t let that go unchallenged.”

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

January 27, 2018

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Washington – A draft infrastructure proposal from the White House would undercut critical clean water protections and fails to address the country’s looming water infrastructure crisis.

“Weakening clean water protections to give advantages to polluters is the last thing our communities need,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “Americans know that we don’t need to sacrifice clean water to build new bridges and roads and we certainly don’t need to sacrifice our natural heritage to build costly new dams. Our families want real infrastructure solutions that make us stronger, safer and more prosperous.”

President Trump’s draft plan would allow corporations to sidestep public health, worker safety, and clean water protections for infrastructure projects, including for dams, toll roads, pipelines, drilling projects, and new mines.

In its 2017 report card on the nation’s infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation’s water infrastructure a “D” grade. The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that more than $650 billion must be invested in water infrastructure over the next 20 years just to meet current environmental protection and public health needs. The impacts of outdated infrastructure cause the most harm to lower income neighborhoods and communities of color already suffering from a lack of investment and opportunity.

American Rivers called on Congress to prioritize the following in any federal infrastructure investment:

Increase funding for our nation’s water infrastructure needs
Prioritize nature-based solutions including source water protection, floodplain restoration, water use efficiency, and green stormwater infrastructure
Keep safe, clean, reliable water affordable and available to all
Uphold environmental, health and safety standards
Invest in water efficiency instead of building expensive and destructive new dams

“Congress must reject the President’s proposal and advance meaningful water infrastructure solutions that provide robust funding, promote nature-based solutions, and ensure a future of clean water for everyone,” said Irvin.

Resources for media:

Naturally Stronger: How Natural Water Infrastructure Can Save Money and Improve Lives

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

December 4, 2017

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Washington – American Rivers President Bob Irvin released the following statement today in response to President Trump’s announcement that he will roll back protections for major portions of Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

“Until today, we could count on our presidents, from Theodore Roosevelt to Barack Obama, to use their authority wisely to protect public lands and waters for generations to come. Under President Trump, that is no longer the case.”

“Never before has a president moved so aggressively to eliminate protection of so much public land. Never before has a president displayed such blatant disregard for the importance of public lands to our heritage, economy, clean water and identity as Americans.”

“Shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments to allow for coal mining and oil and gas development threatens sacred Native American sites and streams that feed the Colorado and San Juan rivers, the lifeblood of canyon country.”

“The president’s action is an insult to all who value cultural heritage, outdoor recreation, and responsible stewardship of our shared natural resources. It ignores the overwhelming public support for maintaining and protecting national monuments and undermines the bipartisan legacy of previous presidents who used their authority to protect national monuments for all Americans.”

“American Rivers will continue to fight to defend our public lands and waters from this shameful assault, in order to ensure our children and grandchildren can enjoy these irreplaceable natural treasures.”

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

November 3, 2017

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Washington, DC – Communities nationwide will face increasing risk from outdated, unsafe dams if the Trump Administration cancels a vital program addressing dam safety.

President Trump’s budget zeroes out the Bureau of Reclamation’s Dam Safety Program. This important program tracks how changing weather patterns due to climate change — such as more frequent and severe flood events — impact dam operations, and assesses the need for infrastructure upgrades to ensure public safety.

Recent Hurricanes Harvey and Maria triggered warnings of possible dam failures in Houston and Puerto Rico. In February, 200,000 people had to be evacuated when torrential rains threatened California’s Oroville Dam. Last October, nearly 50 dams failed across North and South Carolina during Hurricane Matthew, resulting in loss of life and property.

“President Trump’s failure to fund this essential program puts the safety of millions of Americans at risk,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “Ignoring urgent dam safety concerns is reckless and will surely lead to future tragedies. Public safety must be our highest priority when managing dams and rivers, and we must do all we can to keep communities safe.”

The American Society of Civil Engineers gives the nation’s dams a “D” grade in its Report Card on the Nation’s Infrastructure. According to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, America’s dams are degrading faster than they are being repaired, the number of high hazard dams is increasing, and the cost to rehabilitate dams continues to rise. By 2020, seventy percent of dams in the United States will be more than 50 years old. Aging dams can pose a serious safety threat for individuals and entire communities.

“Instead of ignoring the problem, we must ensure the highest level of safety at the nation’s dams. This means funding improvements in dam operations and making necessary upgrades to meet the new realities of climate change. It also means removing obsolete dams, as a dam that has been removed can no longer pose a risk.”

“We urge Congress and the Trump Administration to fully fund the Bureau of Reclamation’s Dam Safety Program as a critical step toward improving public safety.”

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.