Flood-taming US agency a threat to rivers-report
Date: 04-Apr-02
Country: USA
Author: Charles Abbott
The Missouri River, focus of a long-running squabble over its dams for flood control and barge traffic, was named the most endangered river for the second year in a row.
It was No. 2 in 1998, 1999 and 2000, according to American Rivers, a conservation group that compiles the annual list.
The Missouri River was traveled by American explorers Lewis and Clark, who traced it to its headwaters in Montana.
In the next few months, the Corps of Engineers was expected to issue a new operating manual that will answer the question of a return to more natural flows. Lawmakers from downstream states, notably Missouri, object to possible flooding.
American Rivers said the Missouri "is in sharp decline due to the operation of Corps' dams and reservoirs."
Three other rivers - Big Sunflower in Mississippi, White River in Arkansas and Apalachiacola in Florida - were placed on the list of 11 endangered rivers because of ongoing or proposed Corps projects.
"The Corps of Engineers' water projects have put more than 30 rivers on our endangered rivers list since 1986, sometimes more than once," said Rebecca Wodder, president of the 30,000-member organization.
Founded in 1973, American Rivers says its annual list identifies dangers to rivers that could be avoided if action was taken. It has sought protection for free-flowing scenic rivers, supported removals of dams and urged reform of river channel engineering and more floodplain protection.
Congress allots about $4 billion a year to the Corps for river and harbor projects. Flood control and development of navigation have been two of the leading roles for the Corps, created more than two centuries ago.
"The Corps' mission is not just to protect the environment but to strike a balance between economic development and the environment," said Corps spokesman Homer Perkins.
"It's been very successful" in preventing catastrophic flooding along the Missouri River, Perkins said.
American Rivers said flood control and navigation were laudable. But the Corps also needs independent review of costly or controversial projects or new rules requiring projects to do the least harm possible to wetlands and wildlife habitat.
In the case of the Missouri River, American Rivers said six upstream dams have meant a loss of plant and animal diversity. River flow is controlled to allow barge traffic, which returns less money than recreational use of the river would bring.
Other rivers on the list were:
- Big Sunflower River in Mississippi, where 200,000 acres of wetlands were proposed for drainage.
- Klamath River in California and Oregon, scene of a "fish versus farm" dispute last year when drought reduced river flows. American Rivers said fish populations would dwindle unless irrigation was reduced and wetlands restored.
- Kansas River in Kansas. American Rivers said agricultural runoff was polluting the river.
- White River in Arkansas, where the Corps of Engineers was constructing an irrigation project and proposed wing dikes along the lower river.
- Powder River in Wyoming. Federal and state regulators were to decide this year on water released from coal bed methane operations.
- Altamaha River in Georgia. American Rivers said it was in danger of over-use as a water source for Atlanta area.
- Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine. Some legislators want to remove protections of the river, American Rivers said.
- Canning River in Alaska. The river could be affected if oil and gas drilling was allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Guadalupe River in Texas. Growing demand for water could imperil flows unless the state reserved water for the river, American Rivers said.
- Apalachicola River in Florida. American Rivers said Congress should de-authorize a Corps of Engineers-maintained shipping channel.
