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NFC: Fw: RiverCurrents: February 1, 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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In this issue...
FEATURE STORY
* Selling salmon short
NATIONAL NEWS
* EPA report: old sewage systems fouling waters nationwide
* Study: climate change could disrupt river ecosystems
NEWS FROM YOUR REGION
* Northeast: New York mayor calls for water conservation
* Mid-Atlantic: Groups file suit to keep WV streams clean
* Southeast: Saving the Alabama sturgeon proves difficult
* Great Lakes: A river renaissance in St. Paul
* Midwest: Report: Iowa's manure lagoons threaten water quality
* Rockies: "Time out" on Montana's Rock Creek Mine
* Northwest: City of Yelm, WA awarded for reclaiming wastewater
HOW YOU CAN HELP
* Stop this bad Farm Bill amendment!
* At-home tip: make your own eco-friendly floor/furniture polish
RIVER CONSERVATION TOOL
* Find funding for your riverfront restoration project
BE A RIVER LOVER
* How you can join American Rivers today
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FEATURE STORY
Selling salmon short:
Newly uncovered documents show funding to save NW salmon is only
half of what's needed
Salmon recovery in the Columbia-Snake river basin of the Pacific
Northwest will cost more than twice the amount the Bush
administration has so far been willing to propose, according to
internal budget estimates of the agency that wrote the federal salmon
recovery plan.
Obtained by conservation groups through a lawsuit aimed at
strengthening the salmon plan, the internal budget documents were
written by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the lead
agency in charge of implementing the salmon plan, also known as the
2000 Biological Opinion.
The internal documents show that NMFS saw a need for more than twice
the funding requested by President Bush and ultimately appropriated
by Congress for Columbia-Snake River salmon recovery in fiscal year
2002.
Click here for the full story (American Rivers press release)
<http://www.amrivers.org/pressrelease/nwsalmonfunding013102.htm>
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NATIONAL NEWS
1) EPA report: old sewage systems spew over a trillion gallons of raw
sewage into waters each year
Every year, more than 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage pours
from aging sewer systems that overflow when it rains into rivers and
other water bodies, according to a recent report by the Environmental
Protection Agency. The EPA stated that this leads to "serious public
health and water concerns." (San Francisco Chronicle Online, 01-30-
02).
In cities with older sewage systems, raw sewage often overflows into
rivers and streams, as well as ditches, canals, bays and lakes. The
EPA report found that the worst of these older systems are spread
among 32 states, most of them in the Northeast, Midwest and West
Coast.
As reports the Chronicle, the EPA said that federal loans for
upgrading systems totaled $2 billion from 1989 to 2000-- only about 5
percent of what was needed to bring them into compliance.
Nancy Stoner of the Natural Resources Defense Council told the
Chronicle, "This report shows that it's time to stop the hand-holding
and hand-wringing, and put the resources into implementing and
enforcing this program."
2) Study: Climate change could disrupt river ecosystems
A new study from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change finds that
global warming could have major effects on the United States'
freshwater ecosystems.
As reports Greenwire (01-30-02), "the temperature increases forecast
for the United States in the next century will disrupt animal and
plant distributions throughout the country."
The report states, "Cold-water fish like trout and salmon are
projected to disappear from large portions of their current
geographic range in the continental United States, when warming
causes water temperature to exceed their thermal tolerance limits."
At the same time, fish that prefer warmer water, such as largemouth
bass and carp, should benefit. Different types of algae are also
predicted to flourish in warmer waters, potentially reducing the
amount of dissolved oxygen and impacting the food chain.
Click here for the report, Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Climate
Change:
<http://www.pewclimate.org/projects/aquatic.cfm>
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YOUR REGIONAL NEWS
1) NORTHEAST
New York mayor calls for water conservation
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called this week for voluntary
water conservation measures, as a dry winter has left upstate
reservoirs only half as full as they usually are at this time of year.
"There are not a lot of storms on their way, as far as we can tell,
so this is a problem that is going to get worse," the mayor
said. "The question is, what can we do about it? And conservation is
the answer." (New York Times, 01-28-02).
The Times reports, "The mayor ticked off a host of recommendations
for saving water, from fixing leaky faucets to running dishwashers
only when they are full to cutting shower times in half. ("Get in,
turn it on, get it to the right temperature, lather up, get rid of
the soap and get out," was his prescription for ablutions.)"
New Yorkers' water consumption has actually been decreasing. While it
was up to an average of 1.45 billion gallons a day in 1991, today
consumption has fallen to an average of 1.2 billion gallons a day.
Officials attribute the decline to conservation efforts, including
the installation of 1.7 million water saving toilets and plumbing
fixtures.
2) MID-ATLANTIC
Lawsuit challenges policy meant to keep streams clean
Twenty-five environmental groups filed suit against the EPA this
week, alleging that its approval of a West Virginia stream anti-
degradation policy violates the federal Clean Water Act and federal
water quality regulations.
"For years, we have tried to work with state and federal agencies to
come up with a plan that protects our rivers," Jeremy Muller,
executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, told the
Charleston Gazette. "However, EPA and the state were not willing to
put forth protections for West Virginia's outstanding rivers and
streams. Instead, they continually gave in to polluters." (Charleston
Gazette, 01-25-02)
As the Gazette explains, under federal law the anti-degradation
policies "are supposed to provide streams with an added layer of
protection above the state water-quality standards. Anti-degradation
mandates that the current water quality of streams will generally not
be lowered."
The EPA is required to make sure that states have adequately
stringent rules.
The Rivers Coalition and other groups are unhappy with the state's
anti-degradation implementation policy, and even unhappier with the
EPA's "unconditional approval."
"The Bush EPA-approved plan is a better deal for polluters than it
is for the citizens of this state," said Margaret Janes, senior
policy analyst for the Appalachian Center. "It does not comply with
federal law. That's why we had to sue."
3) SOUTHEAST
Conservationists find sturgeon hard to save
The endangered Alabama Sturgeon is proving to be one tough fish
to save, reports the Anniston Star (01-29-02). "Despite working
for nearly a decade and spending millions of dollars to capture
and breed the...fish, the state has little to show for its efforts."
The last remaining captive sturgeon, nicknamed "Bubba", represents
the government's last chance to breed the rare fish.'
It is not clear how many of the fish are still living in the wild,
but experts say few are left in the lower Alabama River, the
sturgeon's prime habitat. The fish also used to thrive in extensive
portions of the Mobile River system. At one time, the fish were so
abundant that they were caught and sold commercially for their rich
meat.
Federal officials declared the fish an endangered species in 2000.
Navigation-related development, dams, water quality degradation,
and over-fishing all contributed to the demise of the sturgeon. The
fish's historical range has been reduced by roughly 85 percent.
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RIVER PHOTOGRAPHY
River Walk: a journey toward the future of the South's rivers
Don't miss this inspiring photographic exhibit of the rivers of
Alabama--sponsored by the Alabama Rivers Alliance.
-- At the Alabama Museum of Natural History through May 5th.
Click here for more information:
<http://www.cahabariverpublishing.com/portfolio/RiverWalk.html>
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4) GREAT LAKES
ST. PAUL: Riverfront restoration planned
The city of St. Paul is rediscovering its riverfront. And to keep the
momentum of the river renaissance going, riverfront boosters are
hoping to get more than $8.3 million in financing from the state this
spring, as reports the Pioneer Press (01-24-02).
The money would go toward rehabilitating Raspberry Island, improving
shorelines, and restoring parkland.
Some of the highlights of the project would include:
-- Building a walkway and adding an overlook on Raspberry Island
-- Refurbishing the Minnesota Boat Club
-- Adding walking paths along the downtown shore of the river
Supporters hope to nail down the funding and plans quickly, in time
for the July 4, 2004 "Grand Excursion" - a commemoration of a 150-
year old Mississippi riverboat extravaganza.
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RIVER CONSERVATION TOOLS
"Restoring Riverfronts: A Guide to Select Federal Funding Sources"
Is your community working on a riverfront revitalization or
restoration project? Our funding guide can help! Get the full
guide on our website at
http://www.amrivers.org/riverfronttoolkit/fundingreport.htm
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5) MIDWEST
Report: manure lagoons threaten Iowa's waters
In what is one of the "most comprehensive looks yet at geological
factors that could worsen pollution from Iowa's 750 earthen livestock-
waste lagoons," a new report warns that hog-manure lagoons threaten
Iowa's drinking-water supplies and rivers.
Further, researchers say that new facilities should be kept out of
floodplains and areas with leaky soil - which would include most of
central Iowa. Particularly worrisome to the researchers are those
areas in north central Iowa where lagoons sit on top of leaky soil
and fractured rock, and also near farm-field drainage wells where
manure could contaminate groundwater, reports the Des Moines Register
(1-31-02).
For the first time in several years, state legislators are poised to
debate whether to impose new environmental controls on Iowa's hog
industry. The report is to be published in the June issue of the
Journal of the American Water Resources Association.
6) ROCKIES
"Time out" on Montana's Rock Creek Mine
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service this week asked a federal court
to delay a lawsuit challenging its evaluation of Montana's Rock
Creek Mine while the agency reconsiders its analysis.
If constructed, the Rock Creek Mine would extract copper and silver
ore from beneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area.
While the mine would operate on Forest Service land, the Fish &
Wildlife Service is responsible for the protection and recovery of
the area's endangered species, including the grizzly bear and bull
trout. (Rock Creek Alliance Press Release, 01-29-02).
The Fish & Wildlife Service evaluated the Rock Creek Mine in 2000
and concluded that it would not jeopardize the species.
Mary Mitchell of the Rock Creek Alliance said that the agency's
"decision to revisit its evaluation of the mine means that the agency
no longer has faith in its previous analysis and must take a look at
the science instead of ignoring it."
In their press release, the Rock Creek Alliance, Cabinet Resource
Group, Earthjustice, and other groups state that the mine would
"degrade over 7,000 acres of habitat vital to the survival of the
Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear population, would destroy bull trout
habitat in Rock Creek, and would discharge up to three million
gallons of waste water a day into the Clark Fork River."
"We're hopeful that FWS' second look at the science will be more
thorough and lead the agency to conclude that these bears urgently
need greater protection, not another massive mine," said Cesar
Hernandez of the Cabinet Resource Group.
7) NORTHWEST
Yelm, WA honored for reclaiming wastewater
The city of Yelm, Washington was honored this week with the state's
highest environmental award. The city's water reclamation project
won The Environmental Excellence Award for reclaiming and re-using
100 percent of its treated wastewater.
As reports the Environmental News Service (01-24-02), the award is
given to individuals, businesses or groups that exemplify model
behavior for the overall benefit of the environment.
Linda Hoffman, deputy director of the Department of Ecology presented
the award to Yelm Mayor Adam Rivas at a city council meeting.
"Yelm is a role model to the rest of Washington's cities. As the
competition for water heats up among people, fish and business uses,
reusing water is the way to go," Hoffmann said.
The city reuses its wastewater--about 200,000 gallons a day--to
irrigate landscaping at churches, parks, and a football field.
Wastewater is also used to recharge a wetland in one of the city's
parks.
As reports ENS, most cities discard treated wastewater on land or in
water under the requirements of Department of Ecology permits.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
Stop this bad Farm Bill amendment!
The amendment, filed by Sen. Gordon Smith, would pay industry for
compliance with environmental laws -- a sweeping, unprecedented,
and unwarranted change in federal resource management.
Click here to help:
http://www.amrivers.org/takeaction/default.htm
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AT-HOME TIP
Make your own eco-friendly furniture and floor polish
Many polishes found in stores contain ingredients
hazardous to both people and the environment. Try this
idea from the Environmental Protection Agency instead:
* Mix one part lemon with two parts olive oil. Apply a light
coating of the mixture to the surface and rub in with a soft cloth.
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LOVE RIVERS? BECOME A MEMBER OF AMERICAN RIVERS TODAY!
Join online and you'll receive a handsome "rivers" decal, a
rivers calendar, and more:
Click here to join using our new and improved
online membership page: https://radlib.com/ar/
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ABOUT RIVERCURRENTS
RiverCurrents is a weekly summary of river news and information as
reported by media outlets 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 clarifications or corrections about a story in
RiverCurrents, please send them to asouers at amrivers_org.
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