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NFC: Fw: [currents] RiverCurrents Online -- Week of March 22, 1999
Robert Rice
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--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Julie Lowe" <jlowe at amrivers_org>
To: "currents List Member" <robertrice at juno_com>
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 14:46:42 -0500
Subject: [currents] RiverCurrents Online -- Week of March 22, 1999
Message-ID: <MDAEMON-F199903261449.AA491052MD58310 at amrivers_org>
Thanks for subscribing to RiverCurrents Online, the weekly summary of
river-related news. The goal of this service is to provide its readers a
quick look at the news and events concerning America's rivers each week.
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========
River News for the Week of March 22, 1999
RIVER POLICY: For those interested in weekly river policy updates, please
email Suzy Mcdowell at smcdowell at amrivers_org to receive up-to-the-minute
news about river-related legislation, Congress, Administration activity,
and
legal resources, all related to the riverine systems of North America
* * *
WILD & SCENIC RIVERS: Late Thursday night the Senate voted to add 29
miles
of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers in Massachusetts to the
National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The three rivers are rich in recreation,
historic, and scenic values. The opening shots of the American Revolution
were fired nearby. These rivers are also the most popular recreational
rivers in Massachusetts, used by canoeists, anglers, hikers, and birders.
Legislation to designate the rivers was first introduced by Sen. Meehan
in
March of 1997, then again in January of 1999. Ten communities along the
rivers requested protection of their hometown rivers in the National
Rivers
System. Congress will have opportunities to designate at least three
other
rivers this year, including The Columbia River's Hanford Reach, the lower
Delaware River, and White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
* * *
DAMS: This week representatives of the National Wildlife Federation urged
federal officials to remove hydroelectric dams and take other steps to
improve animal habitat across the country. As reports the AP (3/22), Mark
Van Putten, President of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF),
reportedat
a NWF convention that though environmental quality is declining in some
areas, "there is reason to hope." Citing the decision by the Federal
Energy
Regulatory Commission to remove a hydroelectic dam on the Kennebec River
in
Maine, Van Putten encouraged activists to push FERC to remove other
harmful
dams. Other dams under consideration for removal by FERC for mostly
economic
reasons include four on the Snake and Columbia rivers in the Pacific
Northwest and one on the Platte in Nebraska.
In the Northwest, this week more than 200 scientists asked President
Clinton
to consider removing some federal dams on the Snake River in order to
help
restore fish runs. As reports the AP (3/23), a number of highly regarded
researchers who have studied the problem for years led the scientists who
consisted of fishery scientists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Oregon and Idaho's departments of fish and wildlife and researchers at
Oregon State University. The letter stated that current fish recovery
efforts which include barging fish around dams are not sufficient to
restore
Snake River salmon, currently listed as threatened under the Endangered
Species Act. A $22 million analysis of the biological and economic costs
and
benefits of dam-breaching is currently being conducted by the US Army
Corpos
of Engineers. Their recommendation is due in April.
* * *
MINING: A coalition of environmental activists and legislators petitioned
the Wisconsin state Department of Natural Resources to strengthen the
"so-called mining moratorium law." As reports the Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel
(3/20), the department is currently reviewing Nicolet Minerals Co.'s
proposal to extract 55 million tons of metallic ore near Crandon. Fearing
that Nicolet will be unable to prevent damage to the "sensitive, marshy
environment" surrounding the mine site, the petitioners are asking that
specific criteria be set for putting the mining moratorium in place.
Currently the law requires companies seeking to mine to identify both a
mine
that has operated in North America for 10 years without polluting, as
well
as one that has been closed for 10 years without polluting. As reports
the
Sentinel, petitioners would like a rule to be established that would
require
that a single mine be identified that meets the pollution standards.
Nicolet
is proposing to mine near the Wolf River, which prompted American Rivers
to
list the Wolf as one of the most endangered rivers of 1998. As reported
by
American Rivers, a large portion of the waste from the underground shaft
mine would be placed in a dump at the headwaters of the Wolf River. This
waste would cover an area the size of 350 football fields and would
stand90
feet high, making the waste heap the largest toxic waste dump in
Wisconsin
history and larger than most towns in the state.
In Montana, a judge has ruled that the ban on cyanide use in certain gold
mines will remain in place while a lawsuit challenging its passage last
fall
goes forward. In the November 3, 1998 election, voters in Montana voted
against the use of cyanide to extract gold from ore. Mining interests
opposing the ban claim that a two year old law prevented them from
spending
money to fight the measure to implement the ban. The law was not
overtuned
until two weeks before the election, which mining interests say "so
muzzled
their opposition that it skewed the election," reports the AP (3/19). The
judge ruling on the case said that the mining industry waited too long
togo
to court to overturn the law, and, as reports the AP "stopped short of
suggesting the mining industry intentionally delayed its legal action so
as
to guarantee a blemish on the election that could be used to try
overturning
the cyanide ban."
Finally, the Westwater Canyon has been protected from mining with the
settlement of a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against
Pene Mining Company. This has resulted in the removal of gold mining
operations from Westwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area, along the
Colorado
River. The lawsuit filed claims of “trespass, non-compliance with
environmental regulations, and on-going impairment of a wilderness area,”
according to US Newswire (3/22). The settlement requires the removal of
all
mining equipment and the “relinquishment of all placer and lode mining
claims within the Wilderness Study Area.” The Bureau of Land
Managementwill
be responsible for the reclamation of disturbed lands.
* * *
HACKENSACK RIVER: A storage tank at Kuehne Chemical Co. in Kearney, New
Jersey, collapsed earlier this week, spilling 1,000 gallons of corrosive
liquids into the Hackensack River. According to the AP (3/24), a storage
tank containing sodium hydroxide gave way, causing a series of storage
tanks
and connecting pipes to collapse as well. The result was a spill of about
15,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite. Although
mostof
the spill was contained by a retaining wall that surrounds the tanks,
about
1,000 gallons of the corrosive liquids leaked into the Hackensack River.
This spill lengthens an already extensive list of fines and violations
incurred by Kuehne Chemical Co., including over $50,000 worth of fines
for
spills and failures to comply with environmental laws. The result of this
spill on aquatic species is worrisome. Several species, including white
flounder, striped bass, sea bass and blue crab, use that area of the
Hackensack as spawning grounds.
* * *
ST. MARY'S RIVER AND ACID RAIN: According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch
(3/23), a helicopter fitted with a 2-ton bucket dumped 140 tons of
limestone
into the headwaters and tributaries of St. Mary’s River in Virginia. Part
of
the 10,090-acre St. Mary’s Wilderness Area, St. Mary’s River has been
suffering from acid rain run-off for years, resulting in the death of
aquatic species. The limestone buffers the effect of the acidic
rainwater,
thus allowing the revival of native brook trout, minnows, and insect
life.
The limestone is only effective for 5 to 8 years, however, and must be
reapplied. While limestone has been a successful response to acid rain
pollution, the solution is a disputed one. Critics argue that, rather
than
limestone, the real solution lies in correcting air pollution, and thus
preventing acid rain altogether.
* * *
COLUMBIA-SNAKE RIVER FISH FLUSH: The spring fish flush of the Columbia
and
Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest are scheduled to occur in April,
according to the Dow Jones International News Service (3/24). The
Columbia
River flush is set for the 20th and the Snake River flush is set for the
10th. During the fish flush, additional water is released from dams in
order
to increase water velocity and propel fish migration to the Pacific
Ocean.
The fish will be diverted away from the dams’ hydroelectric turbines.
While
the fish flush could lead to a loss of hydroelectric generation, the snow
thaw of spring can balance out the water diversion process.
* * *
RAPPAHANNOCK AND OYSTERS: Virginia State officials are looking to raise
funds for an oyster revival project in the Rappahannock River, says the
Richmond Times-Dispatch (3/24). The river’s oyster beds have been in
decline
for years, including a collapse in the 1980’s due to oyster parasites.
The
project’s planned spending requires $800,000 to build eight oyster reefs,
$1
million to spread oyster shells over a total of 200 acres of the
Rappahannock, and $100,000 for a workforce to collect and relocate
oysters.
Oyster reefs, built by piling oyster shells in a mound high enough to be
exposed at low tide, duplicate natural reefs and serve as spawning
grounds
for the reintroduced oysters. This reintroduction is imperative for the
area
’s economic and ecological well being. Oysters are crucial not only
forthe
survival of the region’s commercial oyster fisheries, but also for the
state
of the river. Oysters improve the water quality of the river by feeding
on
millions of algae and thus effectively filtering the river water.
* * *
LOGGING: Acording to the San Francisco Examiner (3/23), residents of
Humboldt County, California, are clamoring against flooding and erosion
of
the Elk River, which they claim is a result of logging by the Pacific
Lumber
Co. Several landowners have brought suit against the company for
increased
mudslides and silt deposits, as well as damaged property downstream from
logging operations. The company claims that environmental factors -
severe
drought, followed by heavy rains, and the state’s most active earthquake
-
caused the landslides and river changes. The state, however, has ordered
a
stop to logging on 185 acres of land near the Mattole River, and has
implemented wider no-cutting zones around streams. A three-year study has
also begun in order to study logging’s relationship to erosion and
mudslides.
* * *
RIVER ACCESS: A case in Oregon is again bringing up the issue of river
access, as an angler on the John Day River was cited for criminal
trespass
when fishing the river as it crossed a rancher's property. If the John
Day
river is declared "navigable" -- which means it can "float a boat and is
susceptible to commerce," then the public can use the banks below the
normal
annual high-water line. But although "several hundred Oregon rivers would
meet that navigability test," in fact only the Columbia, Willamette,
Coos,
Coquille, Klamath, Rogue, Snake and Umpqua rivers have been declared as
navigable. As reports the AP (3/21), the angler and the group Northwest
Steelheaders have sued the rancher and the state over what they hope will
become a landmark case. Although the angler and Northwest Steelheaders
claim
that the John Day should have been declared navigable a long time ago,
the
rancher contends that steelhead and salmon cannot be protected if more
public access is opened up.
* * *
HOG FARMING: Seaboard Farms Inc. has won the right to populate a Beaver
County farm in Oklahoma with 25,000 hogs, as long as it finds an
additional
640 acres to dispose of manure. Because the property adjoins the Beaver
River Wildlife Management Area, the state attorney general's office will
appeal the decision. As reports the Daily Oklahoman (3/22), the land
"contains active sand dunes" and runoff [that] could seep down to the
groundwater table, eventually flowing into the Beaver River." A spokesman
for the state Sierra Club fears that the Agriculture Department granting
a
license for the farm "shows that it is a rubber stamp for corporate
farming."
* * *
HANFORD REACH: For the third time, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray will
introduce a bill to protect the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River,
reports
the AP (3/20). The 51-mile long Hanford Reach is the last untouched
stretch
of the Columbia, protected for years by the government as it served as a
buffer around the Hanford nuclear reservation, then part of World War
II's
top-secret Manhattan Project to produce an atomic bomb. Now that the
plant
is closed, the Energy department is considering what should become of the
slope that borders the reach and is a critical spawning ground for
salmon.
Murray wants the reach to be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service
as a federal wild and scenic river. Others, including Rep. Doc Hastings,
R-Wash., want the land to be used for farming, mining, grazing,
recreation
and other development. As reports the AP, "Hastings has opposed wild and
scenic designation because he says management decisions should be made by
people who live nearby rather than in Washington, D.C." American Rivers
declared the Hanford Reach of the Columbia the most endangered river of
1998.
* * *
GALLATIN RIVER: A lawsuit has been filed against the Montana Department
of
Environmental Quality by environmental groups and recreation businesses
claiming that it acted illegally when it agreed to let the community of
Big
Sky dump treated wastewater in the Gallatin River. Big Sky Water and
Sewer
District has been given permission to dump up to 15 million gallons a
year
of highly treated sewage and wastewater, reports the AP (3/24). Though no
discharges are expected until the next century and at times when the
river
is at its highest, environmentalists argue that "DEQ violated the law
when
it granted the permit because the agency did not take into account other
sources of pollution in the rapidly growing area."
* * *
ALLAGASH RIVER: Future management of the Allagash River in Maine is at
question as two bills are being heard by the Conservation, Agriculture
and
Forestry Committee. The 92-mile scenic river is currently managed by Tim
Caverly, who has been the subject of various complaints by employees and
area residents for years. Both bills would likely result in the removal
of
Caverly as manager. As reports the Bangor Daily News (3/22), Public
Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a Washington, D.C.-based
interest group, said the bills "are nothing more than efforts to oust
Caverly, who has been a sometimes outspoken supporter of protecting the
wild
nature of the Allagash against the desire of others to open up the
waterway
to more recreational uses."
* * *
BLACKFOOT RIVER: The Blackfoot River in Montana is in danger of being
"loved
to death," reports the Missoulian (3/23). The increasing popularity of
the
river as a recreation destination has convinced the state Department of
Fish, Wildlife and Parks that it's time to put together a formal
management
plan for the river to deal with "people pressures." Fans of the river
hope
that such a plan would deal with managing the river and its use, rather
than
restricting its use. On the flip side, the river's huge fan club has
probably helped stall development of a gold mine near the headwaters of
the
Blackfoot. The Blackfoot river was listed as one of the nation's most
endangered rivers of 1998 due to the threat of the cyanide heap-leach
gold
mine.
* * *
COOPER RIVER: One of every five industries and utilities on the Cooper
River
in South Carolina violated its waste discharge permit in the last two
years,
reports the Charleston Post and Courier (3/23). The state Department of
Health and Environmental Control is now considering whether stiffer
penalties are needed to punish violators of water pollution laws. Water
quality standards had been lowered by the agency last year, though DHEC
officials said "the standard they put in place last year protects the
river because industries would have to prove that an additional
dischargeof
pollutants does not harm fish and other aquatic species." State senator
Glenn McConnell's response to this statement was that "water quality
standards should not be based on how much more pollution a river can
take."
State senators have now proposed a bill that would force DHEC to get
approval from other environmental agencies before allowing more
pollutants
in the river.
* * *
SALMON: A plan in Maine to ban salmon fishing on 11 Maine rivers was
killed
this week, although state biologists have been tasked with putting
together
a new list of rivers they feel should be closed to salmon fishing to
support
the recovery of the fish. The ban was dropped in part because some felt
it
would not work if the rivers remained open to other types of fishing. As
reports the Bangor Daily News (3/25), the current catch-and-release law
will
remain in effect for the coming fishing season.
* * *
POTOMAC RIVER: Toxic chemicals called PCBs line the bottom of the Potomac
river in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virgina, and are found
in
the fatty tissues of fish, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch (3/26).
Scientists have known about two PCB hotspots in the Potomac for 10 years:
in Washington and beside the Quantico Marine Corps Base, 35 miles
downriver,
prompting an advisory in 1989 to warn against the consumption of catfish,
carp and eels. However, scientists have now found "high PCB levels in
channel catfish, an important commercial fish, from Washington to the
U.S.
301 bridge at Dahlgren, about 50 miles away." In 1998, 256,000 pounds of
catfish were caught by commercial fishermen. The federal EPA is urging
Virginia and Maryland to issue an advisory warning people, which many
feel
would seriously harm the seafood industry far from the Potomac.
* * *
ALABAMA STURGEON: The Wall Street Journal (3/24) this week reported on
the
status of the rare Alabama Sturgeon, "a bony, brownish bottom-feeder that
once was common in the Mobile River Basin but now is almost extinct." A
$1.1
million statewide effort has been underway to keep the sturgeon off the
federal government's list of endangered species. Earlier this week the
U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to offer the sturgeon protection under
the Endangered Species Act. When the Service made a similar proposal 6
years
ago, the political backlash caused them to eventually back down: business
leaders and state agencies claimed "the listing could cause Alabama and
Mississippi to lose a total of 20,000 jobs as a result of curtailed
dredging, which could ultimately shut down barge traffic on key waterways
used by shipping, timber and power industries." A voluntary coalition of
business leaders, environmentalists, and federal and state agencies was
then
formed to save the fish, and it will be largely up to their efforts to
keep
the fish off the endangered list. But many environmental activists are
still
pushing to get the fish formally listed.
* * *
PENNSYLVANIA RIVERS: 19 grants totaling more than $1 million have been
announced to help non-profit organizations and local governments to
protect
and enhance waterways in Pennsylvania. The effort is part of the Keystone
Rivers Conservation Program, administered by the Department of
Conservation
and Natural Resources (DCNR). Up to 50 percent of the cost of the
projectis
funded through the grant, with the other half being provided through
matching funds or in-kind services.
* * *
BARGING: An alliance of farm industries and barge interests based in St.
Louis is pushing for $1.2 billion for construction of new locks and dams
on
the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Industry claims that the
development is needed to "assure smooth exports of grain well into the
next
century." As reports the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the "impending
tug-of-war
is certain to be the biggest fight over Mississippi River construction
since
the mid-1980s, when the industry won expansion of Lock and Dam 26 at
Alton."
Conservationists fear damage to wildlife habitat because more
barges mean more sediment filling in side channels. Last November, the US
Army Corps of Engineers had decided that economic models did not justify
expansion of the five Mississippi River locks until the year 2023.
==================
For more news, visit American Rivers at www.amrivers.org