Media Items Archive

Contact:

Scott Bosse, Northern Rockies Regional Director, 406-570-0455

sbosse@americanrivers.org

American Rivers is deeply concerned that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is considering drastically reducing flows in the Snake River below Jackson Lake Dam in Grand Teton National Park beginning on May 10 and continuing over the next few months. Dropping flows to the minimum recommended level of 280 cubic feet per second or below when the river should be surging with snowmelt would disrupt native cutthroat trout during spawning season and deprive the river’s riparian cottonwood forest of the nourishing flood flows it needs to survive and thrive.

Congress recognized the Snake River below Jackson Lake Dam as a national treasure when it designated it as a Wild and Scenic River in 2009. The Oxbow Bend of the Snake River, one of the most photographed riverscapes in America due to its spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife, would bear the brunt of the diminished flows.

Scott Bosse, American Rivers’ Northern Rockies Regional Director, met with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Upper Snake Area Manager, Lanie Paquin, and Assistant Area Manager, Mike Hilliard, in Boise, Idaho on Tuesday, May 9 to discuss the flow situation.

“I conveyed to the Bureau in no uncertain terms that the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park is a globally significant treasure, and reducing flows out of Jackson Lake Dam to a trickle when it should be at peak flood stage is totally unacceptable due to the profound negative ecological and economic impacts it would have,” Bosse said. “While the Bureau is maintaining flows at 280 cubic feet per second and has no immediate plans to reduce flows below that level, normal flood flows on that reach of the Snake River should be at least 10 times that level in order to sustain healthy fish and wildlife habitat. I appreciate that they listened to what I had to say, and they seem to understand the importance of the upper Snake River to Jackson Hole’s tourism-based economy.”

If the Bureau follows through with its plans to reduce flows out of Jackson Lake Dam, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has agreed to use its storage rights in Palisades Reservoir to maintain a minimum flow of 280 cubic feet per second for as long as possible, but that would just be a temporary solution. American Rivers believes the best long-term solution this year and in future years is for the Bureau to provide spring flows that mimic a natural hydrograph in order to sustain a thriving native cutthroat trout fishery and healthy riparian vegetation downstream of Jackson Lake Dam.

About American Rivers

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. For more information, please visit AMERICANRIVERS.ORG

U.S. Senators Daines and Cantwell lead effort to support river conservation, hydropower development and expand authority for Tribal Nations

Contact:
LeRoy Coleman, National Hydropower Association, 202-413-4605
Amy Souers Kober, American Rivers, 503-708-1145

Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2023) – Today, Conservation organizations, hydropower industry groups, and tribes applauded the bipartisan introduction of the Community and Hydropower Improvement Act to improve hydropower licensing, relicensing, and license surrender processes; additionally, the bill would strengthen environmental stewardship at the nation’s hydropower projects and expand principles of Tribal sovereignty in hydropower licensing. The bill, led by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (MT) and Maria Cantwell (WA), proposes amendments to the Federal Power Act to enhance cooperation, improve clarity, restore autonomy and self-determination to tribes, and retain states’ decision-making authority. In doing so, the bill would help address climate change, better protect the health of the nation’s rivers, expedite licensing of qualifying projects at non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage, ensure that mandatory license conditions submitted under sections 4(e) and 18 of the Federal Power Act address effects of the licensed project and provide some tribes long-sought authority over their lands and waters.

 The package is supported by American Rivers, National Hydropower Association, Skokomish Indian Tribe, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, National Congress of American Indians, Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Union of Concerned Scientists, Hydropower Reform Coalition, California Outdoors, Friends of the River, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, American Whitewater, New England FLOW, Idaho Rivers United, Foothill Conservancy, Gravity Renewables, Rye Development, Natel Energy, and Nelson Energy.

 The Federal Power Act (FPA), originally enacted in 1920, authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue licenses to build, operate, maintain, and remove dams. The proposed updates would significantly improve cooperation among FERC and resource agencies in the hydropower licensing process.

 Proposed changes include:

Improving coordination between FERC, federally recognized tribes, and resource agencies in the hydropower licensing, relicensing and license surrender processes

Ensuring that mandatory conditions submitted by certain federal agencies under sections 4(e) and 18 of the Federal Power Act address effects of the licensed project

Expanding the authority of federally recognized tribes with hydropower projects on their lands to protect natural resources and treaty-protected rights

Addressing climate change in the hydropower relicensing process

Improving the processes for surrendering licenses and removing non-operating dams

Providing opportunities to expedite licensing for powering existing non-powered dams and building closed-loop pumped storage hydropower projects

Improving the evaluation of projects during the licensing process

  “This proposed package is an important next step in recognizing tribal sovereignty over tribal lands, and trust resources,” said Mary Pavel, partner at the firm Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry, LLP and former staff director of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “Indian reservations and tribal trust resources have unduly borne the burden of hydroelectric power development in this country, and this package would give tribes a true seat at the table to ensure that this does not continue to happen.”

 “This is a package of smart, strategic updates to make the process work better for everyone,” said Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers. “Healthy rivers are essential to all life. By improving the process for licensing, relicensing and decommissioning dams, and by restoring autonomy and self-determination to tribes; we will  improve outcomes for rivers, the electric grid, and communities nationwide.”

 “Hydropower is critical to achieving the goal of a resilient and reliable, zero-carbon electricity grid, and this bill seeks to protect and advance this critical energy resource by strengthening and expediting the FERC licensing process, better informing agency decision making, assuring environmental stewardship, and improving coordination among all relicensing participants,” said Malcolm Woolf, CEO & President of the National Hydropower Association. “The existing regulatory process is unnecessarily time consuming and expensive. With a historic number of projects coming up for relicensing and growing interest in developing new hydropower resources at existing non-powered dams and new closed-loop pumped storage, this bill will help safeguard and expand vital hydropower resources in an environmentally responsible manner, improve grid stability and security, and advance our trajectory towards a clean electricity grid. The hydropower industry applauds the leadership of Senators Daines and Cantwell for advancing this bipartisan effort.”

Background
Recognizing the need to address climate change, conservation organizations, hydropower industry groups, and tribes worked together to develop a legislative package to address hydropower licensing. The groups are convened under Stanford University’s Uncommon Dialogue on Hydropower, River Restoration and Public Safety, administered by the Woods Institute for the Environment, within Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability, and led by Dan W. Reicher.

Last May, during a House Energy Subcommittee hearing on hydropower, lawmakers expressed bipartisan support for license reform:

Representative Tonko (D-NY) said, “I want to commend the Uncommon Dialogue participants for finding agreement on this proposal. Last time this committee considered hydropower license reform it did not start from a place of broad stakeholder consensus, and I truly believe that ultimately it hurt the legislative process as well as the final product, but these organizations have given us a strong foundation, and I hope they will continue to stand together and even expand the coalition as policy makers inevitably consider changes to the original proposal. Because hydropower is an incredibly important clean energy solution, one that has had strong bipartisan support on this committee, but like all energy infrastructure it needs to be developed and operated responsibly. An improved license process can indeed help ensure that.”

Representative Pence (R-IN) expressed the need for an expedited licensing process to ensure hydropower projects remain economical, and said to his Subcommittee colleagues, “I would say to my peers across the aisle, come one, let’s figure out how to get this done and figure this out. You’re [Uncommon Dialogue participants] all doing a great job in working together as Ms. Pavel said.  I think we’ve ought to move on with this.”

Representative Peters (D-CA) said, “I remember in our last discussion on this topic that the permit process is so unwieldy and unbounded o and I hope we can do something that provides more certainty, better timelines, better results and frankly, clean energy with environmental protection is our goal.”

Representative Bucshon (R-IN) said, “I support the development and expansion of hydropower in the U.S. as a part of an “all of the above” energy strategy.” When asking Malcolm Woolf about what this proposal would do for adding hydropower generation to existing non-powered dams, Woolf explained that the license timeline would start once a facility submitted their NOI and FERC approved it, streamlining the process to two years from the moment the application is submitted, Bucshon responded, “That’s great, I would be for that.”

Dam removal and land back project is the second largest grant beneficiary in the country from the recently-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Washington, DC – Today, American Rivers announced that the Ela Dam Removal Coalition secured $4M in funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as an initial payment to commence deconstruction of the Ela dam in Western North Carolina. This is the second largest grant secured in the country for such a restoration project as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Once Ela dam is removed, 549 miles of the Oconaluftee River watershed will be restored, allowing for a free-flowing river that will expand the habitat for endangered and other aquatic species.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, (EBCI), American Rivers, and Mainspring Conservation Trust submitted the funding request. Mainspring will receive the funding award to progress the project.

“Healthy rivers are essential to all life, and removing a dam is the fastest way to restore a river’s health. We appreciate this initial investment by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the restoration of the Oconaluftee River. We look forward to working with them to leverage this investment to fully realize this project to revitalize fish and wildlife habitat and restore vital cultural connections. We are grateful to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for their leadership, and for the partnership of Mainspring Conservation Trust,” said Tom Kiernan, American Rivers President and CEO.

Bisecting the Qualla Boundary, home to the EBCI, the Oconaluftee River has long been a part of the Indigenous people’s lives and culture. For nearly 100 years, the Ela dam has blocked native species migration and cut off a once vital fishery for the Cherokees. After the dam is removed the land will be returned to the Cherokees.

“The Ela dam project is one of the most exciting as it has all the bells and whistles – it will benefit a huge river system, the Cherokee people and the wider community,” said Southeast Conservation Director Erin McCombs. “Removing Ela dam will restore the river to its natural state, allowing for increased biodiversity, habitat renewal and improved water quality. It’s also a huge win for environmental justice in that the land will be returned to its original stewards – the Cherokees.”

Led by EBCI, the Ela dam project consists of a large coalition of partners who along with American Rivers made this project possible, including Mainspring Conservation Trust, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, USFWS, Army Corps of Engineers, Southern Environmental Law Center, Water and Power Law Group PC, Northbrook Carolina Hydro II, Environmental Protection Agency, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, American Whitewater, and many others.

“What started as a pipe dream will now be a reality,” said Joey Owle, Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. “Removing the Ela dam will truly be a monumental success story in reconnecting the tribe to a life-giving river that has been a part of our community for thousands of years. I’m beyond elated that the Ela dam removal project is now moving forward full steam ahead and am grateful to all our coalition partners for their hard work in getting this closer to the finish line.”

In August 2022, American Rivers secured initial funding of $800,000 from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for design, engineering, permitting, project management and communications. Design work is already underway and the new USFWS grant will help to move the project forward as early as 2024, with a goal of completion by the fall of 2025.

The Oconaluftee River is home to 11 sensitive and rare aquatic species, some of which are only found in a few streams and rivers in western North Carolina, including the federally endangered Appalachian elktoe freshwater mussel, the Sicklefin Redhorse (NC Threatened), and Eastern Hellbender (NC Special Concern).

About American Rivers

# # # 

Media Contact: tami@tvicommunications.com | 415-225-7284

Dam removal and land back project is the second largest grant beneficiary in the country from the recently-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, (EBCI), American Rivers, and Mainspring Conservation Trust submitted the funding request. Mainspring will receive the funding award to progress the project.

About American Rivers

Contact:

Rachel Ellis, American Rivers, Southwest River Protection Program, rellis@americanrivers.org; 505-699-4746
Lea Knutson, Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance, lknutson@hermitspeakwatersheds.org; 505-617-1360
Max Trujillo, HECHO and San Miguel County Commissioner, max@hechoonline.org; 505-617-1851
William Gonzales, Rio Gallinas Acequia Association and New Mexico Acequia Commissioner, wilogonzales@yahoo.com; 505-660-6535
Ralph Vigil, New Mexico Wild and New Mexico Acequia Commission Chairman, ralph@nmwild.org; 505-603-2879

American Rivers has named the Rio Gallinas among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, most notably for the consequences of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire and associated outdated agency protocols for forest management, prescribed burning, and watershed management. These factors pose serious threats to local drinking water, traditional acequia agriculture, and long-term watershed health. The Rio Gallinas flows through New Mexico from the east side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and provides water to the town of Las Vegas, NM. It is a vital tributary to the Pecos River and is home to a rich array of wildlife and supports both recreational and traditional uses.

“The Rio Gallinas faces numerous threats, including drought, reduced snowpack, and the myriad consequences from the fire. If we want to heal the Rio Gallinas and protect it in the future, the state and federal agencies must develop a long-term management approach that is community-driven, locally appropriate, and includes nature-based solutions,” said American Rivers Associate Director of the Southwest River Protection Program, Rachel Ellis.

New Mexico’s waterways are among the most vulnerable in the United State and the Rio Gallinas is a textbook case for the adverse impacts of climate change on Southwestern watersheds. “Without a strong connection to its floodplain and with a loss of wetlands, the Rio Gallinas is experiencing a deficiency in natural water storage that mitigates floods and helps maintain flows during drought” states Lea Knutson of Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance. “Drinking water, farming, fish, wildlife, and overall watershed functions are at risk.”

The river has been devastated in the aftermath of the largest fire in New Mexico history, the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire. In 2022, this fire devastated 341,735 acres, including a majority of the upper Rio Gallinas watershed. The fire was sparked by two United States Forest Service prescribed burns that merged. The final report cited the destruction of over 900 structures, including 300 homes and multiple acequias. The fire and ensuing floods contaminated water sources watershed-wide and resulted in drinking water emergencies and mandatory water cuts. The surrounding communities and environment will continue to experience long-term impacts from flooding, water quality degradation, loss of vegetation, and decreased soil stability because of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire.

“The fire last year was catastrophic, and we can’t afford to have something like this happen again,” said Max Trujillo. Trujillo, a San Miguel County Commissioner and senior New Mexico Field Coordinator for HECHO, continued, “we need our federal and state agencies to establish stronger policies and protocols for engaging with the local community around watershed management and prescribed burning.”

Modernizing forest management policies and protocols is essential to improving watershed health. The lack of government agency collaboration and community engagement are hindering efforts to save the Rio Gallinas. Federal and state agencies, including the Santa Fe National Forest, Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forestry Division, and New Mexico Environment Department are being asked to come together with the local community and local watershed organizations for the first annual New Mexico Fire and Water Summit in the Summer of 2023. The goal of the Summit is to create a long-term management and mitigation plan for the Rio Gallinas watershed.

“The Rio Gallinas and the acequias and communities that depend on it are resilient. But if we want the Gallinas to continue providing for us, our children, and our grandchildren we must collaborate in a manner that benefits the entire Rio Gallinas watershed,” said William Gonzales of the Rio Gallinas Acequia Association and New Mexico Acequia Commission.

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 Colorado River (2022), Pecos River (2021), and Gila River (2019).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

About American Rivers
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. For more information, please visit AmericanRivers.org 

Contact:

David Moryc, American Rivers Senior Director of River Protections
dmoryc@americanrivers.org | 503-307-1137

Gershon Cohen, Alaska Clean Water Advocacy Project Director
gershon@aptalaska.net | 907-314-0228

American Rivers has named the Chilkat and Klehini Rivers among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, pointing out the threats of a proposed copper and zinc mine that would likely result in contamination of nearby creeks that feed directly into the two rivers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must enforce the Clean Water Act to ensure appropriate permits are obtained for the Palmer Project, by the Canadian and Japanese consortium American Pacific Mining and Dowa Mining and Metals. Furthermore, in order to best care for the watershed, Congress should establish co-management of the area’s federal lands with the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan.

“The Chilkat Valley is an incredibly unique habitat for all five species of wild salmon, bald eagles, brown bears, and people because the Chilkat and Klehini Rivers are pristine and productive. Developing this copper/zinc mine will result in a huge loss for the region, Alaska, the nation, and the rest of the world,” said Gershon Cohen, Project Director of Alaska Clean Water Advocacy.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of salmon swim from the Pacific Ocean into the Jilḵáat Aani Ḵa Héeni (Chilkat River watershed) to spawn. The Klehini is a main tributary of the Chilkat, and both flow through the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, which is critical habitat hosting the largest congregation of eagles in the world. Additionally, it is home to the Chilkat Tlingits and the people of Haines, Alaska, who depend on these waters for their food, economy, and culture. Public support will play a significant role in advocating for co-management of the watershed with the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan, whose people have been caretakers of this land for thousands of years.

“Land utilization is fundamentally important to the people of the Chilkat Indian Village at Klukwan (Federally Recognized Tribe). Our ability to live off the land and continue to harvest the wild stocks of salmon, to hunt the bear, and gather the berries that grow in our traditional territory sustains us today, as it has since time immemorial. The natural riches of these lands and waters have allowed our people not only to survive, but to thrive, for untold generations. Endangering the Chilkat River ecosystem with a hard rock mine will have devastating effects on our Tribal people that rely on the Chilkat River and Chilkat Valley as our sustainable food source.” – Kimberley Strong, President  | Chilkat Indian Village 

The Palmer Project is moving to the next stage of mining development where developers look to dig a mile-long “exploratory” tunnel under the Saksaia Glacier. This is directly above the Klehini River and the excavation will likely create huge waste storage piles and a major wastewater discharge that will almost certainly contaminate the creeks and rivers downstream. This development would be extremely dangerous for the already fragile ecosystem of the Chilkat Valley.

Congress and the EPA need to uphold the Clean Water Act and ensure social and environmental justice is served. Both entities must act now to ensure that fundamental protections guaranteed by the CWA are not abandoned, and mandate that the mining consortium apply for a standard surface water discharge permit. This will ensure all applicable State and federal water quality standards are met.

“Wild salmon are under increasing threat from climate change and ocean conditions, which means we must do all we can to protect freshwater habitat. The Canadian and Japanese owners of this project have refused to engage with Haines or the CIV, have not applied for or received the proper permits related to water quality and clearly don’t care about the health and productivity of the Chilkat watershed,” said Alaska Director for Rivers Without Borders Chris Zimmer. “We can’t let short term mine profits for foreign companies threaten the long-term health of the Chilkat watershed and those who 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. 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.

Rivers in the region listed as most endangered in past years include the Chilkat River (2019), Stikine River (2019) and Rivers of Bristol Bay (2018).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Federal Investment Needed to Protect Public Health Along the Ohio River

Contact: Heather Taylor-Miesle, American Rivers, htaylor-miesle@americanrivers.org, 202-423-4794

Washington — American Rivers today named the Ohio River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing that a lack of federal designation and investment leaves this vital river and watershed vulnerable. The Ohio River is the backbone of the environment, the economy, the culture, and the history for the communities that live along the mainstream and throughout the Basin. The Ohio River watershed is the primary drinking water source for over 5 million people.

“The Ohio River is one of the most vibrant, resilient ecosystems in the country, as evidenced by its ability to support a rich assemblage of aquatic life and offers recreational opportunities for the surrounding communities, on top of serving as a major transportation corridor and drinking water source. The protection of this valuable resource against current threats is absolutely critical and essential to our region,” says Chris Lorentz, vice-chair of the Ohio River Basin Alliance.

The Ohio River Basin is one of the largest watersheds in the nation and drains from areas affected by environmental pollution from heavy industrialization, including mining and resource extraction for energy development, chemical production, and durable goods manufacturing. This has resulted in significant discharges of toxic chemicals, including both legacy chemicals (such as mercury and dioxins) and chemicals of emerging concern (especially PFAS and Gen-X chemicals) as well as acid mine drainage. These forms of pollution threaten human and ecosystem health.

This vulnerability is most recently exemplified by the chemical release in East Palestine, Ohio, resulting from a Norfolk Southern train derailment which created harmful air pollution and leaked hazardous butyl acrylate into the Ohio River. This chemical disaster has left the future for an entire village uncertain.

To protect the Ohio River and the millions who depend on it, local partners and residents in the Ohio River Valley, with support from American Rivers, are calling on Congress. The federal government must designate the river as a protected water system and commit to significant, sustained federal funding for both the Ohio River Basin Alliance (ORBA) Restoration Plan and technical upgrades for the river monitoring equipment of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). These actions will secure general improvements to safeguard drinking water including increased baseline water monitoring and disaster preparedness. The Restoration Plan will also support the ecological well-being of the river, create ample recreation opportunities and invest in quality of life for communities throughout the watershed.

“Unlike the Great Lakes, Puget Sound, and the Everglades, the Ohio River is not designated as a federally protected water system. With federal designation, the door is opened to critical funding for restoration. Public health protections, including investments in ecosystem restoration and technical upgrades for water monitoring systems, are required to safeguard the drinking water of the over 5 million people who depend on the watershed for their primary drinking water source.” – Heather Sprouse, Ohio River Coordinator, West Virginia Rivers Coalition.

“Decades of environmental pollution have threatened the health of the Ohio River, and we’re proud to be joining many different stakeholders to fight for its future. It is absolutely essential that we guarantee real investment in the Ohio River for the many communities along its shores,” said Chris Tavenor, Associate General Counsel for the Ohio Environmental Council.

The word “Ohio” comes from the Seneca name for the river, Ohiyo, which means “it is beautiful.” Despite a legacy of heavy industrialization, the river continues to support rich history and culture and provides critical habitat for 150 species of fish and other aquatic life including many endangered species. The rivers, streams and tributaries are a source of recreation for communities throughout the watershed. Each year, the Ohio River Way hosts Paddlefest, which is the largest paddling gathering in the U.S. River enthusiasts paddle 250 miles of river between Portsmouth, OH and Louisville, KY.

“The economic future of communities along the Ohio River depends in large part on the protection and restoration of the water system,” said Ben Hunkler, Communications Manager with the Ohio River Valley Institute. “Research shows a cleaner, greener economy can create family-sustaining jobs, rejuvenate declining populations, spur much-needed economic growth, and improve quality of life in distressed communities across the Ohio River Valley. A clean, healthy river is a critical component of that transition.”

The Ohio River begins at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, flowing southwest and defining boundaries of Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois before flowing into the Mississippi River in Cairo, Illinois.

“Although the Ohio River spans many miles, it unites everyone; from those that draw their drinking water to those that recreate along its many diverse landscapes. We must protect the river so that we, and future generations, can have a fishable, swimmable, drinkable Ohio River.” – Jess Friss, Director of Community Programs, Three Rivers Waterkeeper

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 endangered in recent years include Ohio’s Big Darby Creek (2019) and Grand River (2012). The Ohio River was listed in 1992, highlighting the threat of dams.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Fate of Grand Canyon hangs in the balance with upcoming river management decisions

Contact: Sinjin Eberle, American Rivers, (719) 294-9388

Washington — American Rivers today named the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon America’s Most Endangered River of 2023, citing the harm that climate change and outdated river management have caused to the river’s unique cultural and ecological values. American Rivers highlighted a critical upcoming decision by the Bureau of Reclamation that will decide the fate of the canyon for the years to come.

Basin-wide drought over the last two decades has forced river managers to alter flows released from Glen Canyon Dam, which has severely impacted the health of the Grand Canyon, one of the nation’s most iconic and beloved landscapes. Without high flows to mobilize sand and sediment, beaches within the canyon have eroded severely, harming the habitat of native fish and wildlife, as well as cultural and recreational values. American Rivers urged the Bureau of Reclamation to recognize the important links between human health, healthy communities, and the environment, and to implement measures to better balance water supply and demand that consider and protect the life-promoting Grand Canyon ecosystem

“The Colorado River is on the brink of collapse and the Grand Canyon is in the crosshairs,” said Sinjin Eberle with American Rivers. “Decisions are being made now that will impact the Grand Canyon and the entire river for decades to come. One of our biggest concerns is that leaders will try to solve the basin’s water challenges by sacrificing the health of the Grand Canyon. That would be an utter tragedy. We must pursue lasting solutions that balance water demands with environmental health and safety, and the protection of this beloved national treasure.”

“Diné Natural Law tells us that we should treat Mother Earth as we would treat our own mothers. When she is in distress we should respect and nurture her,” said Erik Stanfield, Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department. “Our concern for her should not be a reflection of self-interest, but rather an altruistic endeavor to give back when we have taken. We cannot repay all of her gifts, but we can show her kindness, gratitude, and a willingness to sacrifice when she suffers. This is the ethic that we would like to impart to the world outside of Diné-land. The Colorado River, Tooh in Diné Bizaad, is in deep crisis and needs our kindness, gratitude, and sacrifice to heal.”

“The Colorado River is in poor health. Climate change and drought increasingly impact the health and ecosystem of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon as a whole,” said Jakob Maase, AMWG Representative, Hopi Tribe. “The Hopi people have long been stewards of the Grand Canyon and mother Earth. We hope that agencies will listen and work with tribes on tackling these challenges of how to manage and protect the Colorado river and Grand Canyon. Glen Canyon Dam can no longer function in its same capacity and purpose of why it was built, requiring a lot of tribal input & consideration in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The Hopi Tribe will continue to work as stewards in addressing these issues impacting this wonderful place, we all share. It is important to maintain natural flows of the river for a healthy ecosystem for all.”

Winter snowpack has eased the threat of immediate drastic water restrictions, but climate change is still forcing painful decisions about water availability. Over the past two decades, river flows have dropped precipitously, and water levels of Glen Canyon Dam’s Lake Powell and Hoover Dam’s Lake Mead have fallen to historic lows, in large part driven by climate change.

To protect critical infrastructure including dam integrity, hydropower generation and the ability to deliver water through the Grand Canyon to Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico, the federal government and the seven basin states must continue to work together to develop an equitable system that determines the amount and timing of water flowing through Glen Canyon Dam. (Grand Canyon National Park starts 16 miles below the tailwaters of Glen Canyon Dam.)

Adequate base flows, in addition to frequent high flow events, are more important than ever to plan and maintain in order to support and sustain the vital Grand Canyon ecosystem. These flows are critical to maintaining the natural ecosystem, safeguarding cultural values and archeological sites, and supporting the vibrant recreational assets within the canyon.

“The flowing river is the heart, the lifeblood, of the canyon’s special power.

If the Bureau decides now that in future drought years, dam managers can reduce releases from the dam and turn the river into a mere trickle, that would have drastic consequences for people and nature,” Eberle said.

More than a dozen Tribal Nations and Pueblos consider the Canyon sacred, and millions of visitors a year find awe, excitement, and connection. Diminished flows in the river mean a diminished experience for people. Reducing flows would also further harm the canyon’s ecology and biodiversity, from bighorn sheep and mountain lion, to endangered fish including Humpback Chub and Colorado River pikeminnow.

“For everyone who loves the Grand Canyon, this is an ‘all hands on deck’ emergency. It is vital that the public speaks up loud and clear on behalf of this special place,” Eberle said.

American Rivers called on the Bureau of Reclamation to protect public health and safety and support the ecosystem by ensuring that water delivered through the Grand Canyon is released in a way that not only accounts for critical infrastructure and sustains the river’s essential connection to the Lower Basin States and Mexico, but also protects the canyon’s cultural heritage and natural environment. Ultimately, the decisions being made now will impact the availability of drinking water, agricultural water, and water for the environment for everyone touched by the Colorado River.

American Rivers also underscored the importance of leadership and representation of Colorado River Tribes. As sovereign nations, tribes must have an equal role in the deployment and implementation of federal infrastructure dollars and all future Colorado River management decisions.

Recognized as a World Heritage Site, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and one of the most famous landscapes on earth, the Grand Canyon is the heart of the Colorado River Basin’s natural and cultural fabric. The Colorado River provides drinking water to 40 million people, including some of the nation’s largest cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver, as well as 30 federally recognized Tribes including the Navajo, Ute, Havasupai, and many others. The Colorado River provides irrigation water for nearly six million acres of ranch and farmland, including farms that grow 90 percent of this country’s winter vegetables. The river is also the engine of a recreational economy dependent on adequate river flows and water supplies to operate. In all, the Basin feeds a $1.4 trillion economy integrally connected to the broader national economy.

Now in its 38^th 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. 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 entire Colorado River was listed as America’s Most Endangered River last year. The river has appeared on the list a total of 12 times since 1991.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Poorly planned development threatens clean water

Contact: Lia Mastropolo, 717-763-0743
Donna Kohut, 570-778-3979

Washington — American Rivers today named Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing the threat that poorly planned proliferation of warehouse and distribution centers poses to river health. American Rivers and partners called on decision makers to improve protections for the river in order to safeguard clean water.

According to Lia Mastropolo, Director of Clean Water Supply at American Rivers, “The Lehigh is the backyard river for half a million people, and the keystone to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry. But unprecedented development of open space for warehousing and distribution centers now threatens the region’s clean water and wildlife, and the communities and economies that rely on them.”

The Lehigh Valley has become the logistics hub of the eastern seaboard, with warehouses and distribution centers already covering more than four square miles of land within the watershed. According to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, there’s roughly another square mile of development in the pipeline.

This poorly planned development threatens the Lehigh River by converting critical forest and wetlands to hard surfaces—roofs and parking lots. These impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. Instead, warm, salty, dirty water runs off the pavement directly into the river and its tributaries. This flooding and pollution, and the paving of the remaining open space in the urban stretches in the Lehigh Valley, disproportionately impact downstream communities that have already borne the brunt of environmental degradation and climate change.

“Distribution centers, in their scale and speed paving over land in the Lehigh River watershed, are permanently altering how the water flows across the landscape,” said Donna Kohut of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future. “By recognizing how these land use changes endanger the Lehigh – a river that has long suffered from harmful industry impacts – we can focus on prioritizing solutions to protect it from further degradation. We must educate local municipalities and residents about the impacts and pass statewide legislation to ensure these waterways have forested riparian buffers that protect water quality and wildlife habitat. And we must protect what is already pristine so we can invest in the downstream waters that are increasingly impaired and degraded.”

American Rivers and partners called on state and federal leaders to make crucial funding and legislative decisions to protect water quality from land development throughout the watershed. This includes fully funding the Delaware River Basin Commission, which oversees water quality protections for the Lehigh and other rivers in the basin, and supporting other state and federal programs to manage development wisely.

“We’ve seen the impact that unchecked distribution center development has had on the Lehigh River valley,” said Jim Vogt of the Aquashicola/Pohopoco Watershed Conservancy. “As the industry has its sights set on cheaper land up north, we must hold strong against this tide in the upper Lehigh River watershed and protect Poconos headwaters from this same degradation.”

“Protecting all watersheds in the Poconos is critical to the economic vitality of the entire Lehigh River region”, says Rich Troscianecki, President of the Board of Directors for North Pocono CARE. “Much of this region relies on the influx of tourists to sustain the local economies. The onslaught of unchecked development will severely impact the economic vitality of the tourism in the region.”

From its headwaters in the boreal forests of the Pocono Plateau, the Lehigh River flows 109 miles to its confluence with the Delaware River in Easton, Pennsylvania. The river valley is the ancestral home of the Lenape people, and includes present-day cities of Allentown and Bethlehem. The river’s name comes from the Lenape name for the river, Lechewuekink, which means “where there are forks”. Part of the Lehigh River is designated as one of Pennsylvania’s Scenic Rivers, and the headwaters are designated as Exceptional Value. The river is a direct drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of people, and as a tributary to the Delaware River, supports the drinking water supply of 15 million.

Other rivers in the region listed as endangered in recent years include the southern Youghiogheny River (2020) and Susquehanna River (2016).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

List underscores threats to human health and public safety

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

Visit AmericanRivers.org/EndangeredRivers

Washington — American Rivers released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® today, spotlighting ten rivers where human health and safety are at risk. The report amplifies the voices of local partners and spotlights decisions that will determine the fates of the rivers.

“Healthy rivers are essential to human health and public safety. When rivers are sick, people suffer,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers. “This report sounds the alarm. It is a national call to action to defend these rivers and all of the life they support.”

This year’s list underscores how health and safety are threatened by climate change, pollution, dams, and other threats to rivers. Communities of color and Tribal Nations are disproportionately impacted by these threats.

Toxic pollution in the Ohio River and Montana’s Clark Fork is raising serious concerns for the health of people and wildlife. Cultural health, sacred places, and traditional food sources are threatened along the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon, Alaska’s Chilkat River, and Washington’s Snake River. And from Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River to Mississippi’s Pearl River, harmful development and flooding threaten community safety and drinking water sources. 

On the Colorado River’s Grand Canyon, #1 on this year’s list, climate change and outdated river management have harmed unique cultural and ecological values. The Bureau of Reclamation is considering changes to how water is released from Glen Canyon Dam into the Grand Canyon, which could cause substantially more harm to this iconic place. More than a dozen Tribal Nations and Pueblos consider the canyon sacred, and millions of visitors a year are drawn to Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The canyon is rich in wildlife, from bighorn sheep and mountain lion, to endangered fish including humpback chub and Colorado River pikeminnow. The river is the lifeblood of this special place and if flows are reduced, people and wildlife will all feel the impact.

“The Grand Canyon is one of the most beloved and important landscapes in the world. This is a critical test for how we prioritize the environment as a key component of public health and safety as we solve the Southwest’s water crisis and strive to meet the basin’s water needs. If decision makers sacrifice the health of the river that would be shortsighted and ultimately disastrous for the health and livelihoods of the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River,” Kiernan said.

Nationwide, two-thirds of our water comes from rivers. Rural and urban areas depend on rivers for clean drinking water, food production, economic vitality, and cultural connection. But the EPA estimates that forty-four percent of waterways in the U.S. are too polluted for fishing or swimming. Freshwater species are going extinct faster than ocean or land species, and rivers are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Climate change is fueling more severe floods and droughts, and unjust policies put the burden of these impacts disproportionately on communities of color and Tribal Nations.

“America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a snapshot of the threats facing rivers nationwide,” Kiernan said. “We must defend these ten rivers and demand greater protections for all three million miles of rivers across our country.”

“Rivers and streams are our nation’s circulatory system, like the veins and arteries in our own bodies. Our health and our future are directly linked to our rivers.”

In its 38^th year, America’s Most Endangered Rivers amplifies the voices of local leaders speaking up for rivers at risk. By generating national attention and mobilizing the public to act, the campaign delivers results for rivers and all of the life they support. 

American Rivers reviews nominations for America’s Most Endangered Rivers from local groups and individuals across the country, and selects rivers based on three criteria:

1) The river’s significance to people and wildlife

2) The magnitude of the threat to the river and communities, especially in light of climate change and environmental injustice

3) A decision in the next 12 months that the public can influence

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Investment in affordable clean energy alternatives will allow for dam removal and river restoration.

Contact: Kyle Smith, American Rivers, 541-729-5830

Washington — American Rivers today named the Snake River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing the threat that the four lower Snake River dams pose to endangered salmon, climate resilience, and the region’s Tribal Nations. American Rivers and partners called on Congress and the Biden administration to act with urgency and invest in clean energy infrastructure so that the four lower Snake dams can be removed.

“This is our moment to turn a staggering crisis into a transformational opportunity,” said Kyle Smith with American Rivers. “We can set the Northwest on a course to economic strength, cultural revitalization, and security in the face of climate change.”

“But the clock is ticking and salmon are slipping toward extinction. We need these investments and actions now.”

The four dams on eastern Washington’s lower Snake River have contributed to dramatic decreases in the basin’s salmon and steelhead populations, with all four Snake Basin salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The dams have had disastrous impacts on the cultures and livelihoods of Tribal Nations across the region. The lack of salmon as a source of both food and culture has been devastating, and the U.S. is failing to uphold treaties and fulfill commitments to Northwest Tribal Nations.

Scientists agree that dam removal is the cornerstone of any effective salmon recovery plan. But since the lower Snake dams provide critical irrigation, transportation, and hydropower generation, these services must be replaced. American Rivers called on Congress and the Biden administration to prioritize these investments, including investments in native-led clean energy efforts.

“Infrastructure investment and river restoration is the launching point for a stronger Pacific Northwest,” said Smith. “We are demanding that our leaders prioritize affordable clean energy, and irrigation and transportation services, along with river restoration, so that all of the Snake River’s communities can thrive into the future.”

The Snake River begins high in the mountains of Wyoming and flows for more than 1,000 miles before merging with the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities in eastern Washington. As the largest tributary of the Columbia, the Snake once produced 40 percent of the prized Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. Each year, fewer Snake River salmon complete the return trip from the ocean in what remains the longest distance, highest elevation salmon migration on earth. The Snake River and its main tributaries once produced 2 to 6 million salmon and steelhead every year. As a keystone species, these fish support the entire food web from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, including at least 135 species, from eagles to salamanders to endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Salmon are at the heart of the cultures of Northwest Tribal Nations—integral to religion, identity, and physical sustenance.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow

Mining threatens clean water, wildlife habitat in national treasure

Contact:
Ben Emanuel, American Rivers, 706-340-8868
Rena Ann Peck, Executive Director, Georgia River Network, 404-395-6250, rena@garivers.org

Washington — American Rivers today named Georgia and Florida’s Okefenokee Swamp among America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, citing the threat that a proposed heavy mineral sands mine poses to this critically important wetland ecosystem. American Rivers and partners called on the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to deny the permits for the mine in order to preserve clean water, wildlife habitat, and natural and cultural heritage.

“Some places are simply too special and should be off-limits to pollution and harmful development,” said Ben Emanuel, Southeast Conservation Director with American Rivers. “The Okefenokee Swamp is one of those places. The state of Georgia must do the right thing and stop the mine that would devastate the clean water and wildlife habitat of this national treasure.”

Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency predict that the proposed mine, located within three miles of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and designed to extract titanium bearing minerals, would result in “permanent” and “unacceptable” damage to the Okefenokee Swamp, a unique wetland nearly half a million acres in size and home to alligators, carnivorous plants, an abundance of birds, several threatened and endangered species, and the Florida black bear.

Independent hydrologists who have reviewed the proposed mining operation predict that the mine will lower water levels in the swamp by pumping millions of gallons of water from the aquifer that underlies the swamp and by altering the hydrology of Trail Ridge, a sandy rise of land that serves to regulate water levels in the swamp.

“People across the state and nation, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, have called on Georgia’s leaders to stop this mine,” said Rena Peck, Executive Director of Georgia River Network. “The Okefenokee is an irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind wilderness; it should not be risked to obtain common minerals that can be more safely secured elsewhere.”

More than 160,000 individual comments opposing the mine have been generated through the advocacy of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance and Georgia Water Coalition, which represent some 300 organizations. Recent polling shows that more than 70 percent of Georgia voters oppose the mine.

American Rivers and partners called on the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to deny all permits that would enable the proposed mine to be built. American Rivers also called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do its duty and re-engage as the proper authority over permitting decisions regarding the proposed mine.

The Okefenokee Swamp is part of the ancestral lands of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. A unique international treasure, it is a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uncompromised by agriculture or industrial development, the swamp is one of the world’s healthiest large-scale freshwater ecosystems. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge—the largest national wildlife refuge in the eastern United States—receives an average of 600,000 visits annually. In addition to more than $50 million in local spending annually, Okefenokee Swamp tourism supports an estimated 826 jobs and $17.5 million in employment income.

The Okefenokee Swamp was listed among America’s Most Endangered Rivers in 2020. Other rivers in the region listed as endangered in recent years include the Ocklawaha (2020) and the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin (2016).

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2023

Colorado River, Grand Canyon (Arizona):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated water management
AT RISK: Ecosystem health, reliable water delivery, regional economy

Ohio River (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois):

THREAT: Pollution, climate change
AT RISK: Clean water for 5 million people

Pearl River (Mississippi):

THREAT: Dredging and dam construction
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, local and downstream communities, fish and wildlife habitat

Snake River (Idaho, Oregon, Washington):

THREAT: Four federal dams
AT RISK: Tribal treaty rights and culture, endangered salmon runs, rural and local communities

Clark Fork River (Montana):

THREAT: Pulp mill pollution
AT RISK: Public health, fish and wildlife

Eel River (California):

THREAT: Dams
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife, tribal culture and sustenance

Lehigh River (Pennsylvania):

THREAT: Poorly planned development
AT RISK: Clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, rural and local communities, open space

Chilkat and Klehini rivers (Alaska):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Bald eagle, fish, and wildlife habitat, tribal culture and sustenance

Rio Gallinas (New Mexico):

THREAT: Climate change, outdated forest and watershed management
AT RISK: Clean drinking water, farming, watershed functionality

Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, Florida):

THREAT: Mining
AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, water quality and flow