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NFC: Fw: RiverCurrents: April 5, 2002
--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: American Rivers <action at action_amrivers.org>
To: robertrice at juno_com
Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2002 12:59:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RiverCurrents: April 5, 2002
Message-ID: <7246996.1018040369734.JavaMail.IWAM_EUG-APP01@eug-app01>
RiverCurrents: April 5, 2002
Brought to you by www.americanrivers.org:
The online community for river activists and river friends
AOL KEYWORD: American Rivers
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NEWS
* Nation's Most Endangered Rivers of 2002 announced
HOW YOU CAN HELP
* Take Action
* Adopt a River
PERSPECTIVE
* Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers
ANIMATION
* Lewis & Clark return to the Missouri River!
HOME CONSERVATION TIPS
* Your ideas keep coming!
EVENTS
* Earth Day approaches
* RiverWalk along the Hudson
CONTEST
* Why students need clean water
RIVER TUNES
* Check out the latest additions
APRIL FOOLS
* A funny gag? You be the judge.
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NEWS
American Rivers this week released its 17th annual Most Endangered
Rivers report. The Army Corps of Engineers' operations of a huge
dam and reservoir system have once again put the Missouri River at
the top of the list. In the report, these dams and other Army Corps
water projects are cited as leading threats to rivers nationwide.
Click here for more on the report:
http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered2002/default.htm
***The Most Endangered Rivers of 2002***
1) Missouri River
Location: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa,
Kansas, Missouri
Threat: Dam Operations
The Missouri, America's longest river, was the river Lewis and Clark
followed west on their epic journey. The river was once a haven for
fish, birds, and wildlife. But today, six dams operated by the Army
Corps of Engineers have significantly altered the river's natural
flows and destroyed habitat.
Read more: http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/missouri2002.htm
2) Big Sunflower River
Location: Mississippi
Threat: Flood Control Projects
The Big Sunflower is a lazy, serpentine river that meanders through a
sparsely populated region of Mississippi. The river is home to one of
the most abundant native mussel beds in the world and some 55 species
of fish. The river's rich wetlands are an important destination for
wintering waterfowl and are vital to a host of other wildlife. The
river is threatened by a pair of boondoggle flood control projects
that would drain wetlands and destroy habitat. Read more:
http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/bigsunflower2002.htm
3) Klamath River
Location: Oregon and California
Threat: Water Withdrawal and Pollution
The Klamath provides important fish, bird, and wildlife habitat in
the arid region straddling Oregon and California. Often called the
"Everglades of the West," 80% of the birds migrating along the
Pacific
Flyway stop along the Klamath to rest or feed. But excessive water
withdrawals are sapping the river's ability to sustain life. Its
salmon populations have dropped to less than 8% of their historic
averages. Read more:
http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/klamath2002.htm
4) Kansas River
Location: Kansas
Threat: Pollution; Removal of Clean Water Act Protections
The Kansas River, affectionately known as "the Kaw," may be the
state's best- and least protected- recreational treasure.
Unfortunately,
the water in the Kansas River is absolutely filthy. Pollutants such
as fecal coliform bacteria often reach concentrations of 10 to 50
times that allowed by the state. Read more:
http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/kansas2002.htm
5) White River
Location: Arkansas
Threat: Navigation and Irrigation Projects
One of the ecologically richest areas in the continental United
States, the White River flows from the Ozark Mountains to expansive
bottomland hardwood swamps, oxbow lakes, and countless sloughs
and backwater areas. The area is the nation's most important
wintering area for mallard ducks. It's also home to Arkansas'
only population of native black bears that often hibernate and
give birth to their cubs in hollow trees high above the flooded
forest floor. Navigation and irrigation projects threaten to destroy
habitat by turning the river into an over-engineered canal. Read
more: http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/white2002.htm
6) Powder River
Location: Wyoming
Threat: Coal Bed Methane Extraction
The Powder River is a healthy remnant of the once vast and unspoiled
river ecosystem that spanned the Great Plains. The sagebrush and
mixed grass prairie of the Powder River basin supports abundant elk,
mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bobcat, swift fox, and imperiled black-
tailed prairie dogs. The river is threatened by the coal bed methane
industry, which could damage water quality. Read more:
http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/powder2002.htm
7) Altamaha River
Location: Georgia
Threat: Reservoir and Power Plant Construction
The Altamaha, a "wetlands wilderness," winds through bottomland
hardwoods, cypress swamps, and tidal marshes. The river is home
to more than 100 rare, threatened, or endangered species, seven
of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The river
is threatened by Metro Atlanta's seemingly insatiable demand for
services such as drinking water and electricity. Read more:
http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/altamaha2002.htm
8) Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Location: Maine
Threat: Removal from the Wild and Scenic Rivers System; Loss of
Wilderness Values
Once the crown jewel of the nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers System,
the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is home to rare mammals such as
the lynx and pine marten, as well as river otter, moose, and black
bear. A large variety of birds nest along its shores, and the clear,
cold water provides ideal habitat for native brook trout. The river
is threatened by certain legislators who want to strip away the
river's protections.
Read more: http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/allagash2002.htm
9) Canning River
Location: Alaska
Threat: Oil and Gas Exploration and Development
The Canning River is the largest river of Alaska's Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge. Many bears make their maternity dens in snow drifts
on the Canning's banks. The famed Porcupine caribou herd also spends
time in the braided river floodplains. Should the U.S. Senate vote
to allow oil and gas exploration and drilling in the refuge, the
Canning River would be the first to feel the consequences -- the
industry would pump millions of gallons of water from lakes in its
delta, dig huge gravel mines in its floodplain, and disturb wildlife
-- with the threat of a catastrophic oil spill looming in the
background.
Read more: http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/canning2002.htm
10) Guadalupe River
Location: Texas
Threat: Water Diversion
The Guadalupe and its sister river, the San Marcos, are favorites
with anglers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts, and support
diverse aquatic plant and animal life. The Guadalupe's fresh water
is vital to the health of San Antonio Bay and Aransas Bay, home
to the endangered whooping crane. If the state of Texas chooses
to siphon off and sell the Guadalupe's water to fuel development,
there will be profound consequences for the river and its estuary.
Read more: http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/guadalupe2002.htm
11) Apalachicola River
Location: Florida
Threat: Navigation and Water Withdrawals
Countless sloughs and side channels branch off the Apalachicola
River, supporting a rich floodplain ecology of expansive bottomland
hardwood forests, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The river basin is
an important sport fishery and is home to some of the highest
densities of reptiles and amphibians on the continent. But in a
futile effort to maintain a commercial shipping channel that is
barely used, the Army Corps of Engineers is steadily destroying
the river by scouring the river bottom, dumping the dredge material
in sensitive habitat, and aggressively manipulating the river's flow.
Read more: http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/apalachicola2002.htm
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
1) Take Action
The 11 rivers on this year's Most Endangered Rivers list
need your help! Send a free email to key decision-makers:
http://www.amrivers.org/takeaction/default.htm
2) Adopt a River
Your donation of $20 or more will give you full membership in
American Rivers -- and 100% of your gift will be passed through
to the Most Endangered Rivers partner group or groups working
locally on your "adopted" river!
http://www.amrivers.org/feature/adoptariver.htm
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PERSPECTIVE
American Rivers President Rebecca Wodder speaks about this
year's most endangered rivers:
"...in researching this year's report we were amazed to learn
that the same threat, over the years, has either caused or
contributed to almost 60% of the listings of America's Most
Endangered Rivers. This threat is a single organization, that
astonishingly, works for you. It's a federal agency - the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers..."
Read more:
http://www.amrivers.org/mostendangered/2002remarks.htm
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ANIMATION
Lewis and Clark return to the Missouri River!
What kinds of changes do they see?
Help these fearless explorers complete their modern-day
adventure!
http://www.amrivers.org/missouririver/animation.htm
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HOME CONSERVATION TIPS
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when confronted with the
environnmental problems our country faces. But instead of
throwing in the towel, RiverCurrents readers are proving
that individuals can make a difference and bring positive
change to their homes and communities.
This week, four readers share their own tips for living
in a more "river-friendly" way.
If you have water and/or energy conservation ideas of your
own, please email them to asouers at amrivers_org and we'll
share them here.
1) Be resourceful!
We use a container that is normally used for collecting old motor oil
during an oil change. It holds about 2 gallons of water. It has drain
hole in its side. We lay it flat on the shower floor and let it
collect water until the water is hot. We then plug the drain hole and
use the water for plants. Most automotive supply stores have them.
We move the plastic clothes washer drain from its normal position in
the house drain and put it into a large wash tub. We use a detergent
that does not harm plants. If you want clear water you can just
capture the rinse water from the washer. Be careful: It takes a bit
of timing and you have to keep an eye on it.
-- J. Pitcherella
2) Be creative!
When my Maytag dies (17 yrs old this fall) I plan to look into
getting an old fashioned wringer washer. There are also other high
tech, low water usage washers in alternative-type catalogs. the
trouble is, they tend to be up-front expensive.
We have a bigger-than-a-breadbox reverse osmosis water filter system
mounted on a shelf over the laundry tub. The drip is caught in a
bucket in the tub sink and goes into the washer instead of down the
drain. With a family of four, drinking water and wearing clothes, we
come out about even! (also catches the overflow when I forget and
let it run over!)
While this may be going too far for some people, we follow the old,
"if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down"
rule--unless company is over.
Most of my houseplants are in plastic (secondhand) pots instead of
clay--takes twice as long to dry out.
In warm weather I get wet under the shower, shut it off and wash,
turn it back on to rinse. (I'm a wimp in the winter though) we do
have a flow restrictor (a washer-like dealie) in the showerhead.
-- J. Shelton
3) Be natural!
Another idea for people who live in the country is to use a
biodegradable, non toxic laundry products (such as Shaklee) for
washing clothes and then routing the dirty water to water gardens and
lawns, etc.
We also use these products for cleaning the house and discard the
water on house plants. It really makes them flourish.
-- O. Corley
4) Be efficient!
Use landscaping plants native to your area. If you live in an arid
or semi-arid climate such plants are adapted to survive periodic
water stress without irrigation unlike traditional lawn grasses and
ornamental plants and shrubs from places like western Europe.
Reduce showering duration and frequency. If you cut your showering
time from 5-10 minutes to 1-3 minutes you would save 50% or more
water every shower.
Reduce the amount of chemicals that you put down household drains.
Every chemical substance put down drains including soaps, shampoo,
paints, solvents, and even some food residue must be removed from
wastewater by municipal treatment plants (unless you have a septic
system). Removal of chemicals from water requires more water for
purification and dilution.
-- D. Busemeyer
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EVENTS
1) Earth Day:
American Rivers is compiling a list of river events being
organized to celebrate Earth Day (April 22). If you're
planning an event for your river, please send us the details.
We will publish the full "Earth Day River Events" list in the
coming weeks.
You can send your event info to outreach at amrivers_org.
2) RiverWalk
This spring, when we welcome the summer on Memorial Day Weekend, all
members of the Hudson River Valley Community are invited to
participate in a walk down the eastern shore of the Hudson River.
RiverWalk will stretch from Poughkeepsie to New York City, and will
serve not only as a way to celebrate springtime in the Hudson Valley,
but also to spread awareness of local issues indicative of larger
problems that affect each and every member of the region.
For more information visit http://www.riverwalk2002.org
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CONTEST
"Why students need clean water" Essay Contest
The Clean Water Network is looking for students in grades K-12 to
write essays, short stories or poems about why clean water is
important to them. The prize is a trip to Washington, DC in October.
The deadline has been extended to the end of April.
For more information, please visit
http://www.cwn.org/docs/30thanniversary/essay.htm or
contact lchrist at nrdc_org, 202-289-2422.
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RIVER TUNES
We've added a new song about the Great Kankakee, plus
some more readers' favorites!
http://www.amrivers.org/feature/rivertunes.htm
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APRIL FOOLS
On April 1, residents in Olathe, Kansas woke up to reports
that the city's water supply was contaminated, unfit for
drinking or bathing.
As reports the Kansas City Star (4-2-02), Radio station KQRC (98.9)
said that the water contained "high levels of a naturally occurring
substance," dihydrogen monoxide, that causes increased urination,
profuse sweating and wrinkling of hands and feet. Boiling the water
long enough would get rid of the substance, however.
City officials received 150 phone calls and 30 residents called 911.
But as it turns out, it was all an April Fools joke. Officials called
the gag by DJs Johnny Dare and Murphy Wells irresponsible and said it
jeopardized public safety.
Neal Mirsky, KQRC program director, told the Star, "We didn't intend
for any of this. We thought a couple of people would go to work
without a shower."
As reports the Star, "Technically they had their facts straight.
Dihydrogen monoxide, after all, is a scientific name for water.
It can cause the "symptoms" described, and boiling will make it
go away."
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ABOUT RIVERCURRENTS
RiverCurrents is a weekly summary of river news and information as
reported by media outlets and other sources across the country. The
inclusion of a story or point of view in RiverCurrents does not
necessarily indicate endorsement by American Rivers. Unless American
Rivers' position is clearly indicated, stories or points of view
expressed in RiverCurrents are solely those of the groups and
individuals named and not those of American Rivers.
If you have questions or corrections about a story in RiverCurrents,
please send them to Editor Amy Souers at asouers at amrivers_org.
*************************************
Thank you robertrice at juno_com for helping to protect and
restore America's rivers.
To contact American Rivers, email Rebecca Sherman at
outreach at amrivers_org or call 202-347-7550, ext. 3052.
For the latest results of your actions, visit
http://www.americanrivers.org/feature/actionupdates.htm
To update your information, please visit
http://amriversaction.ctsg.com/profileEditor
Encourage friends to become online river activists by visiting
http://www.americanrivers.org/takeaction
To become a member of American Rivers, visit
http://www.americanrivers.org/joindonate
Find free online resources, toolkits, and ways to unite with other
activists on your important issues.
Join the nation's online river community at
http://www.americanrivers.org
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