With the launch of Blue Gold, the European Water Partnership (EWP) is creating a communication platform for the EWP, its members, the European water community, stakeholders and those interested in water at large.
Blue Gold is in important tool in achieving EWP's mission to be an action-oriented forum for all stakeholders including local, national and European governmental agencies, knowledge institutes, business, non-governmental organizations, public and private financial institutions, end-users and civil society groups. It constitutes a platform for exchanging views, finding solutions for water challenges in wider Europe and stimulating cooperation and partnerships.
Read more...
America’s 10 Most Endangered Rivers
Diminished by drought, impounded by 11 hydroelectric dams, and the subject of a U.S. Supreme
Court water battle between the states of North and South Carolina,
the Catawba-Wateree River today was named the most endangered river
in the United States.
The Catawba River begins its 300 mile run to the Atlantic Ocean high
in the Blue Ridge mountains of western North Carolina, and flows
through the Charlotte metropolitan area before reaching South
Carolina, where its name changes to the Wateree River.
The Catawba River near its headwaters in North Carolina. A real
estate development is planned for this stretch of the river.
This river supplies drinking water to more than a million people
along the way and supports the water needs of numerous coal and
nuclear power plants. Duke Energy’s renewal of its federal license to
manage the Catawba is set to expire this year.
“Water will be the oil of the 21st century,” said Rebecca Wodder,
president of American Rivers, the conservation group that issues the
annual ranking of the country’s most endangered rivers.
“Yet all across the country, water mismanagement is on full display
as politicians resort to placing another straw in their rivers, or
outright stealing water from their neighbors, instead of adopting
water policies that will make our communities more resilient in the
face of global warming,” said Wodder.
Those risks are only exacerbated by global warming, she said.
Each year since 1986, American Rivers has published a list of the 10
most endangered rivers in the country. To select the rivers to list,
American Rivers solicits nominations from thousands of river groups,
environmental organizations, outdoor clubs, local governments, and
taxpayer watchdogs
The report highlights the rivers facing the most uncertain futures
rather than those suffering from the worst chronic problems. The
report presents alternatives to proposals that would damage rivers,
identifies those who make the crucial decisions, and points out
opportunities for the public to take action on behalf of each listed
river.
Being named as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers is not an end
for the river, but rather a beginning, she said. With the listing
comes a national spotlight and action from thousands of activists
across the country. These 10 rivers have a chance to be reborn, and
to serve as models for other rivers all across America.
“These 10 rivers are at a crossroads, and the choices made by local
and national decision makers will determine not only the rivers’
future, but the future of America’s fresh water resources,” said
Wodder. “Water is a precious resource, we must treat it as such; the
future of our communities, our nation, and our planet depends on it.”
America’s Most Endangered Rivers in 2008 are:
* #1: Catawba-Wateree River in North Carolina and South Carolina
While the entire southeastern United States suffers the effects
of drought, policy makers want to take more water from the Catawba-
Wateree River, rather than focusing on 21st century policies like
water conservation and smart development.
Without a major change in direction in public policy, the river
that provides drinking water for millions of people, pumps tens of
millions of dollars into local economies, and is directly responsible
for thousands of jobs could be irreparably damaged; and the
communities that depend on it will suffer.
American Rivers says lawmakers in the Carolinas are among the
first to reach this ominous fork in the road, and the direction they
choose to take will affect water policy in the Southeast for
generations.
* #2: Rogue River in Oregon
One of America’s original Wild and Scenic rivers could soon
have its wild character destroyed if a plan to log key Rogue River
tributaries moves forward. The clearcuts would choke the river with
sediment and harm the unique river experience that draws thousands of
boaters and anglers each year.
The fate of the Rouge River lies in the hands of Congress.
American Rivers says lawmakers should pass legislation to grant Wild
and Scenic River protections to 98 miles of vital tributaries in the
lower Rogue canyon and designate the unprotected roadless areas in
the Rogue canyon as Wilderness Areas.
* #3: Poudre River in Colorado
Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River could soon lose much of
its remaining water thanks to a scheme proposed by some decision
makers to unnecessarily divert billions of gallons of water away from
the Cache la Poudre. Such action could cripple Fort Collins, which
has christened the river as one of the town’s “economic engines.”
The proposed Northern Integrated Supply Project, NISP, would
cost homeowners and taxpayers almost a billion dollars, and subject
residents and future generations to the debt for 30 years.
The NISP/Glade project, a massive dam-and-reservoir project
that would include the 177,000 acre-foot Glade Reservoir, is the
largest engineering project proposed along Colorado’s Front Range in
a quarter century.
If built, the project would divert about 35 percent of the
water out of the Poudre River as it flows through Fort Collins, in
addition to the 60 percent of water that is already diverted out of
the Poudre. It would wipe out a scenic valley just north of Fort
Collins and require the relocation of part of Highway 287 at an
enormous cost to ratepayers.
These Poudre River advocates say the NISP/Glade project is too
expensive and will create more problems than it solves. (Photo
courtesy Save the Poudre)
“Because of the NISP/Glade project, Fort Collins has been
saddled with a very dubious distinction,” said Gary Wockner of the
Save The Poudre Coalition.
“Fort Collins and the region have been called the ‘Best Place
to Live in America’ by Money Magazine and a ‘New American Dream Town’
by Outside Magazine. We can’t let the proposed Glade Reservoir drown
our city’s reputation. We need to stop this project.”
“Instead of projects like NISP, we should implement proven and
effective water-saving measures,” said Wockner. “We also need to work
proactively with farmers to find flexible solutions for the benefit
of the region - that’s the best solution to meeting our water needs,
not further draining our rivers.”
* #4: St. Lawrence River in New York and Canada
Tens of millions of people in two countries depend on the St.
Lawrence River. The health and vitality of this North American
waterway is threatened by outdated management plans of the Moses-
Saunders Dam that date back to the Eisenhower administration. These
50 year old policies continue to harm the river that supplies
drinking water to large sections of the United States and Canada.
The Moses-Saunders Dam on the St. Lawrence River (Photo courtesy
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
The Moses-Saunders Power Dam is jointly owned by the New York
Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation and generates about two
million kilowatts of electricity.
The management plan for the dam is up for revision. Research
conducted by more than 180 scientists from both countries agree that
the river’s vitality can be improved by implementing a plan known as
B+.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and
the New York State Department of State said in a joint statement
March 28 that they are “deeply concerned” over the months-long
refusal of the International Joint Commission, IJC, to work in good
faith with New York State on the plan for Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence
River water levels.
“It is our understanding, from several sources, that the IJC
intends to go forward with an alternative, dubbed “Plan 2007,” which
at best, is nearly identical to the ecologically destructive protocol
that is currently in place, known as “Plan 1958 DD,” the New York
State agencies warned.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA and the U.S Fish
and Wildlife Service have all expressed support for Plan B+. Both the
New York Power Authority and its Canadian counterpart also prefer
Plan B+ because it would improve hydroelectric power production to a
significant extent. The only U.S. federal agency to express
opposition to Plan B+ is the St. Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation of the U.S. Department of ransportation.
The Province of Ontario is still reviewing its options, but
Environment Canada has expressed support for Plan B+.
* #5: Minnesota River in Minnesota
The first major tributary to the Mississippi River could soon
be robbed of much of its water, due to a plan that would build a coal
power plant on the shores of Big Stone Lake.
Not only would the proposed Big Stone II project take more than
six million gallons of water a day from the Minnesota River, but it
would also emit greenhouse gases and mercury into the air.
American Rivers says the power plant would cripple the river
that brings tens of millions of dollars into the regional economy and
spell disaster for the wildlife that inhabits the Minnesota River.
* #6: St. Johns River in Florida
Florida’s longest river could soon be robbed of much of its
water in an attempt to quench the unending thirst of development in
the Sunshine State. The St. Johns River, one of only 14 American
Heritage Rivers in the country, is an ecological wonderland that may
be damaged or destroyed by water withdrawal.
Thriving economies in the region that depend on tourism and
recreation dollars. Some of the fastest growing counties in America
lie in the St. Johns’ watershed and the region’s population is
expected to double to more than six million people by 2025.
The average Floridian uses 160 gallons of water a day; the
average American uses only 100 gallons. American Rivers says
conservation is the answer that will protect the St. Johns and allow
Florida to continue to grow.
In addition, the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the lower
St. Johns River exceeds the amount the river can receive and maintain
its health, which in the past has led to harmful algal blooms. The
St. Johns River Water Management District mounted a campaign April 1
designed to heighten awareness of river health issues, educate the
public on how human behaviors impact the river and motivate positive
behavioral changes.
* #7 Gila River in New Mexico and Arizona
New Mexico’s last free flowing river could soon see some of its
water diverted. American Rivers is concerned that New Mexico’s
Interstate Stream Commission is considering a possible multimillion
dollar diversion project to take water out of the Gila for
development and growth near Silver City.
Governor Bill Richardson said today he will consider proposing
a law forbidding dams or diversion projects on the Gila River in
southwestern New Mexico.
“While this designation is ominous,” said the governor, “I am
hopeful that this year’s listing will result in a renewed effort to
protect the Gila River.”
If enacted, the diversion project could deplete a desert
oasis. “As the entire Southwest deals with issues of water scarcity,
water managers deciding the fate of the Gila should know that the
eyes of America are on them,” American Rivers said today.
* #8 Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine
One of the most important wild rivers in the entire country is
being jeopardized by development pressures and a lack of political
leadership, says American Rivers. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway,
Maine’s only nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, is losing
its protections.
A view of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (Photo courtesy
Allagash Canoe Trips)
The Allagash Wilderness Waterway was established by the Maine
Legislature in 1966 to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural
beauty, character, and habitat of a unique area.
The 92 mile long ribbon of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams
winds through the heart of northern Maine’s vast commercial forests.
A newly appointed advisory council is deciding what to do next
on the Allagash. Conservation groups say the Council should advocate
for legislative reaffirmation of the original mandate to enhance
the “maximum wilderness character” of the Allagash Wilderness
Waterway.
Conservationists say the plan should restrict motor vehicle
access, reduce logging roads and bridges, preserve the native
fishery, and designate areas for non-motorized winter recreation.
* #9 Pearl River in Louisiana and Mississippi
A development scheme masquerading as flood protection threatens
the Pearl River and shows that the painful lessons of Hurricane
Katrina still have not been learned, American Rivers says.
At risk are a thriving recreational and fishing industry and
the source of natural flood protection to riverine communities.
The danger has been compounded by failed leadership at the
Corps of Engineers, which has refused to look beyond the dangerous
scheme and develop a comprehensive approach to flooding and
environmental problems along the Pearl.
Developers and local politicians are pushing plans to dam and
dredge the Pearl to create lakes and islands for commercial
development. Also under consideration are large earthen levees,
similar to those that failed in New Orleans. All told, almost 140
square miles of wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests would be
dredged or drowned.
* #10 Niobrara River in Nebraska
One of Nebraska’s biggest tourist attractions, and one of the
state’s most beautiful rivers, is slowly losing water and in danger
of losing more.
A Wild and Scenic River that attracts tens of thousands of
paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts to the nation’s heartland, the
Niobrara could soon be stressed by increased irrigation.
In addition to supporting a booming tourist economy, the
Niobrara supports irrigation of more than 600,000 acres. Additional
irrigation applications are currently pending with Nebraska’s
Department of Natural Resources. These additional irrigation
applications threaten to upset that balance, damaging the Niobrara
today and they will make surrounding communities even less resilient
to the potential impacts of global warming.
Source: Environmental News Service
(0) Comments • (7) Trackbacks • Permalink