| Apr 24, 2007 @ 5:12 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
RareQuestor
Posts: 2,652
|
American Rivers has released it's Most Endangered Rivers report for 2007:
http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AR7_MER2007
I was just wondering if you agree or disagree with their selections?
|
|
  |
|
| Apr 24, 2007 @ 5:42 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
eastham
Posts: 7,911
|
The pictures of the Santa Fe "River" were very sad. Sobering, considering the number of wars fought over the centuries for water/water rights.
I think in New York/New Jersey, we have been rather lucky with the leadership at the helm of the Army Corps of Engineers. This district is less likely to engage in large scale river diversion projects than elsewhere in the country. Of course, we've also had some recent good news that efforts to clean up the Bronx River are paying off as animals life is returning to the area. The first beaver lodge in nearly 100 years was recently spotted on the river and a trip up the Sprain is a lovely drive along the river.
|
| |
|
| Apr 24, 2007 @ 6:47 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
steveemac
Posts: 2,335
|
#7 Kinnickinnic River, Wisconsin
Threat: Toxic sediments
Summary: Like many urban rivers across the country, the Kinnickinnic River has been neglected -- laced with toxic contamination, lined with concrete, degraded and ignored. Multiple studies have highlighted these problems, and many local organizations and agencies have made Kinnickinnic River restoration a top priority. The local community has come together in an effort to cleanup the river and reclaim some of the economic, ecological and recreational benefits the Kinnickinnic once provided. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should capitalize on this momentum and grant the funding necessary to support restoration efforts, rather than losing this opportunity to bring the river back to life.
The "KK" is the third major tributary of the Milwaukee River system-much has been done in recent years to restore and protect the Milwaukee and Menomonee; it's the Kinnickinnic's turn next...unfortunately, much of the development along it's lower banks (as opposed to the Milwaukee) has been primarily industrial; there are parts of the South Side where the river has been turned into a concrete-lined channel. However, the flood control efforts made along Lincoln Creek (a branch of the Milwaukee) have been successful; and have resulted in aquatic life reintroduciong itself-the KK would similarly benefit...and after viewing the video, I can honestly say that if I hadn't known this was about the KK, I could have easily surmised that the footage -especially of the litter- was older shots of the Menomonee, Milwaukee, and Lincoln Creek.
|
|
| |
|
| Apr 24, 2007 @ 6:55 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,611
|
I think in New York/New Jersey, we have been rather lucky
That's been going on for awhile, I'vve been happy to see - I remember cruising up the Hudson and seeing dead fish everywhere from spilloffs...that would have been about 30 years ago - not everythng's gotten worse, NY has done good work in that area.
|
| |
|
| Apr 24, 2007 @ 7:05 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
spongebob777
Posts: 7,904
|
Our rivers in Michigan have improved dramatically over the last 30 years. These days I'm more concerned about the fact that we're burying Canadian trash in such a wet state.
|
|
| |
|
| Apr 25, 2007 @ 12:49 AM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
kjac
Posts: 8,163
|
These days I'm more concerned about the fact that we're burying Canadian trash in such a wet state.
You mean Celine Dion?
|
| |
|
| Apr 25, 2007 @ 12:04 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
spongebob777
Posts: 7,904
|
You mean Celine Dion?
Our governor is from Canada as well but I voted for that idiot so that one's my fault. That's what I get for voting for the lesser of two evils. 
|
|
| |
|
| Apr 25, 2007 @ 1:13 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
Loreli
Posts: 25,407
|
#3 Iowa River, IowaThreat: Weak enforcement of the Clean Water Act
Summary: The Iowa River and its tributaries provide a boon to local economies, offering drinking water to nearby communities and wonderful recreational opportunities. Yet a host of polluters inundate the river with toxins and untreated sewage. Unfortunately, the state of Iowa trails far behind the rest of the country in implementing and enforcing the federal Clean Water Act.
The pictures of this on the local news were terrible.
(Not only dirty, but it floods all the time. It wiped out an entire town, and they had to move the whole town to higher ground.)
Maybe we have learned something from this. Yes I agree with that one making the list.
|
| |
|
| Apr 25, 2007 @ 1:39 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
raykl
Posts: 566
|
At one point in history, our four rivers were the worst in the country (Pittsburgh, PA). The mills and industry just dumped- we could not swim in the water for all of the oil and toxins flowing. The banks were drenched in oil. In the past 20 years the difference is remarkable. Two years ago the Bassmasters held a tournament in these rivers. Change is possible if the desire is there.
|
|
| |
|
| Apr 26, 2007 @ 1:13 AM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
RareQuestor
Posts: 2,652
|
At one point in history, our four rivers were the worst in the country (Pittsburgh, PA). The mills and industry just dumped- we could not swim in the water for all of the oil and toxins flowing. The banks were drenched in oil. In the past 20 years the difference is remarkable. Two years ago the Bassmasters held a tournament in these rivers. Change is possible if the desire is there.
I concur. It is frustrating in a sense because the very same process--scientific investigation--that helped us prove that pollution is a serious threat to all living beings and eliminate the pollution has also uncovered even more threats that need to be eliminated. Thirty years ago it would have been sufficient and laudable just to remove the most visible pollution--sewage, oil slicks, old tires and other trash--but now we are aware of literally thousands of different chemicals which have been pumped into the environment since the Industrial Revolution began. We only know about the health consequences of a hundred or so of those chemicals and government funding to study the others is steadily being decreased. 
The good news is that it is heartening that people want healthy rivers, that we may finally be moving away from that foolish philosophy that nature should serve us rather than vice-versa. 
|
| |
|
| Apr 14 @ 12:06 AM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
RareQuestor
Posts: 2,652
|
Here is a link to the 2009 list:
America's Most Endangered Rivers 2009 Edition
|
|
| |
|
| Apr 14 @ 2:53 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
Loreli
Posts: 25,407
|
Our river is horrible here, but there has still been so much debris from the floods...
|
| |
|
| May 13 @ 11:54 AM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
RareQuestor
Posts: 2,652
|
Incidentally, Loreli, are you as disgusted as I am by the city council's pathetic attempts at flood control? Instead of restoring the floodplain and adjacent wetlands, they are planning to spend several million dollars on temporary flood control measures!
http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090212/NEWS/702129948
You should inform the city council that it would be easier to just take the city's cash and throw it in the river. 
|
|
| |
|
| May 13 @ 2:35 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
eastham
Posts: 7,911
|
And many of those temporary flood control measures do more to cause flooding than help. Iowa now bears the brunt of man's own arrogance -- sure we'll change the course of the Missouri River, no problem! Well, there are big problems. Same in Florida where tickering with Lake Ockeechobee has nearly killed the lake (it is now only 9 feet deep) and negatively impacted the Everglades. In 2007, they had to dredge the lake bed, pulling up mud (the real lake bed is sand) that was soooo toxic, they had a hard time of disposing of it.
|
| |
|
| May 13 @ 3:06 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
MotownManiax
Posts: 9,737
|
Scary thing, RQ. I'm surprised no rivers in Michigan are listed?
Btw, Frontline (PBS) just had an excellent documentary regarding the subject. People can watch the full program online here
Once on the page scroll down until you see a yellow arrow, then click it.
|
|
| |
|
| May 13 @ 5:36 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers |
|
RareQuestor
Posts: 2,652
|
Thanks for the link, Mo! I found these two quotes especially meaningful:
"The '70s were a lot about, 'We're the good guys; we're the environmentalists; we're going to go after the polluters,' and it's not really about that anymore," Jay Manning, director of ecology for Washington state, tells FRONTLINE. "It's about the way we all live. And unfortunately, we are all polluters. I am; you are; all of us are."
and
"You have to change the way you live in the ecosystem and the place that you share with other living things," says William Ruckelshaus, founding director of the Environmental Protection Agency. "You've got to learn to live in such a way that it doesn't destroy other living things. It's got to become part of our culture." (emphasis added)
Incidentally, the list of rivers is not comprehensive. It is restricted to ten in order to publicize the problem. You can view the rivers that are considered endangered here:
America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ Past Reports
or here:
http://www.americanrivers.org/your-region/
|
| |
|
| May 15 @ 9:04 PM |
America's Most Endangered Rivers
|
|
MotownManiax
Posts: 9,737
|
It was a fascinating program, RQ.
If you accept the lessons it provided, it would mean nothing less than a huge scale back of the very foundation of what many consider must-haves in our modern lifestyle. All the chemicals that go into the everyday products we use must be discontinued and ultimately banned, much like what was done with poisons like DDT.
As much as I fervently agree with the program's message, I think it impossible to put the cure into effect for obvious reasons. It would mean virtually going back to pre-industrial living, almost a horse-drawn existence. The public, industry, politicians...you name it, would never agree to such a thing.
Like always, I only see systemic change when catastrophe is directly upon us. The problem with that, of course, is it'd be way too late.
|
|
| |
|
|