2 0 1 0 E D i t i o N
Northern ROCKIES water consumption that threatened the Ipswich River (listed 2003) in North Fork of the Flathead River: Massachusetts, and work is being done Montana (2009) to minimize PCB contamination in New Threat: Proposed mines and oil York’s Hudson River (listed 2001). and gas drilling YEARS Mining and oil and gas drilling proposals MID-Atlantic in British Columbia endangered the Susquehanna River: New York, pristine North Fork of the Flathead Pennsylvania, and Maryland (2005) River, its native fish and wildlife, and TM recreational opportunities in and around Flathead River, MT Ryan Hagerty/USFWS Threat: Sewage pollution, dam Glacier National Park. In 2010, Montana construction America’s Most Endangered Rivers Senators Baucus and Tester, Governor Within days of our naming the Schweitzer, American Rivers and our GREAT LAKES Susquehanna an endangered river, the conservation partners convinced the U.S. EPA dropped its proposal that would Wolf River: Wisconsin (1997-1998) government of British Columbia to save have allowed the dumping of partially the river by moving to ban mining and Threat: Proposed zinc/copper treated sewage into the Susquehanna oil and gas drilling in the North Fork sulfide mine and other rivers. The U.S. Army Corps watershed. A zinc and copper sulfide mine would of Engineers also denied the permit to Other victories in the Rockies include have dumped 44 million tons of waste construct an inflatable dam on the river. saving the Blackfoot River (listed 1998) into the Wolf River, threatening fish and National Office: and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone wildlife and the sacred lands of four SOUTHEAST 1101 14th Street NW 25 River (listed 1994-1996) from mining. native tribes. In 2003, two tribes bought Suite 1400 the site, killing the mine proposal and Big SunflowerR iver: Mississippi Washington, DC 20005 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS ensuring the area will be forever (2002-2004) SOUTHWEST Phone: (202) 347-7550 Through the Most Endangered Rivers report, for 25 years protected to support clean water, Threat: Wetlands destruction and Toll-free: (877) 347-7550 Neches River: Texas (2007) tourism jobs, and tribal culture. river dredging www.AmericanRivers.org American Rivers has been the national watchdog raising the Threat: Proposed dam projects For almost 70 years, the U.S. Army TM alarm on imperiled rivers and energizing grassroots support NORTHEAST Corps of Engineers tried to push through Regional Offices: The Neches River was threatened by a plan to drain more than 200,000 acres California America’s Most Endangered Rivers to stop threats such as dam proposals, mining operations, a proposed reservoir that would have Penobscot River: Maine (1989-1996) of wetlands in northwestern Mississippi Great Lakes coal-fired generators, and massive dumping of raw sewage. flooded 40 miles of the river and Threat: Dams to enhance production of subsidized Mid-Atlantic thousands of acres of hardwood forest crops. American Rivers played a lead Working with local partners, the media, elected officials, and In 2004, American Rivers helped block Midwest in a National Wildlife Refuge. Ultimately, role in convincing the U.S. EPA to kill the construction of new dams on the Northeast concerned citizens, we have achieved spectacular successes the U.S. Supreme Court stopped efforts the proposal, ensuring the river and its Penobscot and spur a landmark agree- Northwest to build the reservoir, saving the river wetlands will continue to provide natural for the nation’s rivers — and the people, fish, and wildlife that ment to remove two dams and improve Northern Rockies and its priceless fish and wildlife habitat flood protection benefits and critical operations on a third — a project that will Southeast depend on them. for future generations. wildlife habitat. restore more than 1,000 miles of river. Elsewhere in the Southwest, the We also played an instrumental role in Other success stories in the Southeast Here are just a few examples from 25 years of success: reliability of water flows has begun to securing $10 million in federal funding include saving Georgia’s Altamaha About American Rivers: improve in New Mexico’s Santa Fe River for these dam removals. River (listed 2002) from an unnecessary (listed 2007) and in the Guadalupe River dam and reservoir, and protecting the American Rivers is the leading conservation organization NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA (listed 2002) in Texas. Our advocacy fighting for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. Progress has been made to curtail Tennessee River (listed 2004) from Elwha River: Washington (1992, 1995) Klamath River: (1987-1990; 2002-2003) also helped save McCrystal Creek excessive groundwater pumping and sewage pollution. American Rivers protects and restores the nation’s rivers (listed 2005) in New Mexico from for the benefit of people, wildlife, and nature. Founded in Threats: Two dams Threats: Dams, water withdrawal for coalbed methane drilling and other 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and Two outdated dams have blocked the irrigation, and pollution harmful development. supporters, with offices in Washington, DC and nationwide. Elwha River near Olympic National Park In 2010, after years of negotiations, While we celebrate these successes, American Rivers for nearly 100 years, decimating the American Rivers signed historic agree- MIDWEST Take action at AmericanRivers.org salmon runs. Our advocacy helped ments to remove four dams on the continues to monitor these rivers—and all rivers nationwide America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: spur the decision to remove the dams. Klamath River, in what will result in the Minnesota River: South Dakota and 2010 Edition Sponsor Klamath River, CA Tupper Blake/USFWS Deconstruction is on schedule to begin world’s biggest river restoration project. America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: 2010 Edition is made Minnesota (2008) —to ensure that victories are upheld and to safeguard in 2011 and will restore more than 70 The agreements will restore access to possible with generous funding from the Margaret T. Biddle 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS miles of river, from mountains to sea. more than 350 miles of salmon habitat, Threat: Proposed coal-fired power plant Foundation. against new threats. The 2010 list of endangered rivers resolve decades-long disputes over Other important victories in the A coal-fired power plant would have American Rivers would like to thank Bert and Barbara Cohn for their water in the basin, and provide greater provides a snapshot of today’s most critical threats to rivers Northwest include the protection of sent more pollution into the air, and long-time support of this campaign. economic security for fishing, tribal, endangered the Minnesota River with throughout the nation, from harmful gas drilling to outdated the Columbia River’s Hanford Reach and agricultural communities. excessive water withdrawals and (listed 1998) as a National Monument mercury pollution. In 2009, the U.S. flood management to construction of new dams. With the and the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers Also in California, a proposal for a new EPA said the proposal did not meet Printed on paper that contains (listed 1990-1993) in Alaska and British road that threatened San Mateo Creek federal air quality requirements — help of our activists and supporters across the country, we 30% post-consumer recycled fiber Columbia, which prevented potentially (listed 2007) and the famous Trestles effectively killing the plant. devastating copper mining. surf break was defeated, as was the will continue to protect these endangered rivers. Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX DESIGN: Levine & Associates, Washington, DC pipeline that threatened the Tuolumne
www.levinedc.com River (listed 2005). 25 Elwha River, WA J. Poth 2 0 1 0 E D i t i o N
Northern ROCKIES water consumption that threatened the Ipswich River (listed 2003) in North Fork of the Flathead River: Massachusetts, and work is being done Montana (2009) to minimize PCB contamination in New Threat: Proposed mines and oil York’s Hudson River (listed 2001). and gas drilling YEARS Mining and oil and gas drilling proposals MID-Atlantic in British Columbia endangered the Susquehanna River: New York, pristine North Fork of the Flathead Pennsylvania, and Maryland (2005) River, its native fish and wildlife, and TM recreational opportunities in and around Flathead River, MT Ryan Hagerty/USFWS Threat: Sewage pollution, dam Glacier National Park. In 2010, Montana construction America’s Most Endangered Rivers Senators Baucus and Tester, Governor Within days of our naming the Schweitzer, American Rivers and our GREAT LAKES Susquehanna an endangered river, the conservation partners convinced the U.S. EPA dropped its proposal that would Wolf River: Wisconsin (1997-1998) government of British Columbia to save have allowed the dumping of partially the river by moving to ban mining and Threat: Proposed zinc/copper treated sewage into the Susquehanna oil and gas drilling in the North Fork sulfide mine and other rivers. The U.S. Army Corps watershed. A zinc and copper sulfide mine would of Engineers also denied the permit to Other victories in the Rockies include have dumped 44 million tons of waste construct an inflatable dam on the river. saving the Blackfoot River (listed 1998) into the Wolf River, threatening fish and National Office: and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone wildlife and the sacred lands of four SOUTHEAST 1101 14th Street NW 25 River (listed 1994-1996) from mining. native tribes. In 2003, two tribes bought Suite 1400 the site, killing the mine proposal and Big SunflowerR iver: Mississippi Washington, DC 20005 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS ensuring the area will be forever (2002-2004) SOUTHWEST Phone: (202) 347-7550 Through the Most Endangered Rivers report, for 25 years protected to support clean water, Threat: Wetlands destruction and Toll-free: (877) 347-7550 Neches River: Texas (2007) tourism jobs, and tribal culture. river dredging www.AmericanRivers.org American Rivers has been the national watchdog raising the Threat: Proposed dam projects For almost 70 years, the U.S. Army TM alarm on imperiled rivers and energizing grassroots support NORTHEAST Corps of Engineers tried to push through Regional Offices: The Neches River was threatened by a plan to drain more than 200,000 acres California America’s Most Endangered Rivers to stop threats such as dam proposals, mining operations, a proposed reservoir that would have Penobscot River: Maine (1989-1996) of wetlands in northwestern Mississippi Great Lakes coal-fired generators, and massive dumping of raw sewage. flooded 40 miles of the river and Threat: Dams to enhance production of subsidized Mid-Atlantic thousands of acres of hardwood forest crops. American Rivers played a lead Working with local partners, the media, elected officials, and In 2004, American Rivers helped block Midwest in a National Wildlife Refuge. Ultimately, role in convincing the U.S. EPA to kill the construction of new dams on the Northeast concerned citizens, we have achieved spectacular successes the U.S. Supreme Court stopped efforts the proposal, ensuring the river and its Penobscot and spur a landmark agree- Northwest to build the reservoir, saving the river wetlands will continue to provide natural for the nation’s rivers — and the people, fish, and wildlife that ment to remove two dams and improve Northern Rockies and its priceless fish and wildlife habitat flood protection benefits and critical operations on a third — a project that will Southeast depend on them. for future generations. wildlife habitat. restore more than 1,000 miles of river. Elsewhere in the Southwest, the We also played an instrumental role in Other success stories in the Southeast Here are just a few examples from 25 years of success: reliability of water flows has begun to securing $10 million in federal funding include saving Georgia’s Altamaha About American Rivers: improve in New Mexico’s Santa Fe River for these dam removals. River (listed 2002) from an unnecessary (listed 2007) and in the Guadalupe River dam and reservoir, and protecting the American Rivers is the leading conservation organization NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA (listed 2002) in Texas. Our advocacy fighting for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. Progress has been made to curtail Tennessee River (listed 2004) from Elwha River: Washington (1992, 1995) Klamath River: (1987-1990; 2002-2003) also helped save McCrystal Creek excessive groundwater pumping and sewage pollution. American Rivers protects and restores the nation’s rivers (listed 2005) in New Mexico from for the benefit of people, wildlife, and nature. Founded in Threats: Two dams Threats: Dams, water withdrawal for coalbed methane drilling and other 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and Two outdated dams have blocked the irrigation, and pollution harmful development. supporters, with offices in Washington, DC and nationwide. Elwha River near Olympic National Park In 2010, after years of negotiations, While we celebrate these successes, American Rivers for nearly 100 years, decimating the American Rivers signed historic agree- MIDWEST Take action at AmericanRivers.org salmon runs. Our advocacy helped ments to remove four dams on the continues to monitor these rivers—and all rivers nationwide America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: spur the decision to remove the dams. Klamath River, in what will result in the Minnesota River: South Dakota and 2010 Edition Sponsor Klamath River, CA Tupper Blake/USFWS Deconstruction is on schedule to begin world’s biggest river restoration project. America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: 2010 Edition is made Minnesota (2008) —to ensure that victories are upheld and to safeguard in 2011 and will restore more than 70 The agreements will restore access to possible with generous funding from the Margaret T. Biddle 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS miles of river, from mountains to sea. more than 350 miles of salmon habitat, Threat: Proposed coal-fired power plant Foundation. against new threats. The 2010 list of endangered rivers resolve decades-long disputes over Other important victories in the A coal-fired power plant would have American Rivers would like to thank Bert and Barbara Cohn for their water in the basin, and provide greater provides a snapshot of today’s most critical threats to rivers Northwest include the protection of sent more pollution into the air, and long-time support of this campaign. economic security for fishing, tribal, endangered the Minnesota River with throughout the nation, from harmful gas drilling to outdated the Columbia River’s Hanford Reach and agricultural communities. excessive water withdrawals and (listed 1998) as a National Monument mercury pollution. In 2009, the U.S. flood management to construction of new dams. With the and the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers Also in California, a proposal for a new EPA said the proposal did not meet Printed on paper that contains (listed 1990-1993) in Alaska and British road that threatened San Mateo Creek federal air quality requirements — help of our activists and supporters across the country, we 30% post-consumer recycled fiber Columbia, which prevented potentially (listed 2007) and the famous Trestles effectively killing the plant. devastating copper mining. surf break was defeated, as was the will continue to protect these endangered rivers. Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX DESIGN: Levine & Associates, Washington, DC pipeline that threatened the Tuolumne
www.levinedc.com River (listed 2005). 25 Elwha River, WA J. Poth 2 0 1 0 E D i t i o N
Northern ROCKIES water consumption that threatened the Ipswich River (listed 2003) in North Fork of the Flathead River: Massachusetts, and work is being done Montana (2009) to minimize PCB contamination in New Threat: Proposed mines and oil York’s Hudson River (listed 2001). and gas drilling YEARS Mining and oil and gas drilling proposals MID-Atlantic in British Columbia endangered the Susquehanna River: New York, pristine North Fork of the Flathead Pennsylvania, and Maryland (2005) River, its native fish and wildlife, and TM recreational opportunities in and around Flathead River, MT Ryan Hagerty/USFWS Threat: Sewage pollution, dam Glacier National Park. In 2010, Montana construction America’s Most Endangered Rivers Senators Baucus and Tester, Governor Within days of our naming the Schweitzer, American Rivers and our GREAT LAKES Susquehanna an endangered river, the conservation partners convinced the U.S. EPA dropped its proposal that would Wolf River: Wisconsin (1997-1998) government of British Columbia to save have allowed the dumping of partially the river by moving to ban mining and Threat: Proposed zinc/copper treated sewage into the Susquehanna oil and gas drilling in the North Fork sulfide mine and other rivers. The U.S. Army Corps watershed. A zinc and copper sulfide mine would of Engineers also denied the permit to Other victories in the Rockies include have dumped 44 million tons of waste construct an inflatable dam on the river. saving the Blackfoot River (listed 1998) into the Wolf River, threatening fish and National Office: and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone wildlife and the sacred lands of four SOUTHEAST 1101 14th Street NW 25 River (listed 1994-1996) from mining. native tribes. In 2003, two tribes bought Suite 1400 the site, killing the mine proposal and Big SunflowerR iver: Mississippi Washington, DC 20005 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS ensuring the area will be forever (2002-2004) SOUTHWEST Phone: (202) 347-7550 Through the Most Endangered Rivers report, for 25 years protected to support clean water, Threat: Wetlands destruction and Toll-free: (877) 347-7550 Neches River: Texas (2007) tourism jobs, and tribal culture. river dredging www.AmericanRivers.org American Rivers has been the national watchdog raising the Threat: Proposed dam projects For almost 70 years, the U.S. Army TM alarm on imperiled rivers and energizing grassroots support NORTHEAST Corps of Engineers tried to push through Regional Offices: The Neches River was threatened by a plan to drain more than 200,000 acres California America’s Most Endangered Rivers to stop threats such as dam proposals, mining operations, a proposed reservoir that would have Penobscot River: Maine (1989-1996) of wetlands in northwestern Mississippi Great Lakes coal-fired generators, and massive dumping of raw sewage. flooded 40 miles of the river and Threat: Dams to enhance production of subsidized Mid-Atlantic thousands of acres of hardwood forest crops. American Rivers played a lead Working with local partners, the media, elected officials, and In 2004, American Rivers helped block Midwest in a National Wildlife Refuge. Ultimately, role in convincing the U.S. EPA to kill the construction of new dams on the Northeast concerned citizens, we have achieved spectacular successes the U.S. Supreme Court stopped efforts the proposal, ensuring the river and its Penobscot and spur a landmark agree- Northwest to build the reservoir, saving the river wetlands will continue to provide natural for the nation’s rivers — and the people, fish, and wildlife that ment to remove two dams and improve Northern Rockies and its priceless fish and wildlife habitat flood protection benefits and critical operations on a third — a project that will Southeast depend on them. for future generations. wildlife habitat. restore more than 1,000 miles of river. Elsewhere in the Southwest, the We also played an instrumental role in Other success stories in the Southeast Here are just a few examples from 25 years of success: reliability of water flows has begun to securing $10 million in federal funding include saving Georgia’s Altamaha About American Rivers: improve in New Mexico’s Santa Fe River for these dam removals. River (listed 2002) from an unnecessary (listed 2007) and in the Guadalupe River dam and reservoir, and protecting the American Rivers is the leading conservation organization NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA (listed 2002) in Texas. Our advocacy fighting for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. Progress has been made to curtail Tennessee River (listed 2004) from Elwha River: Washington (1992, 1995) Klamath River: (1987-1990; 2002-2003) also helped save McCrystal Creek excessive groundwater pumping and sewage pollution. American Rivers protects and restores the nation’s rivers (listed 2005) in New Mexico from for the benefit of people, wildlife, and nature. Founded in Threats: Two dams Threats: Dams, water withdrawal for coalbed methane drilling and other 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and Two outdated dams have blocked the irrigation, and pollution harmful development. supporters, with offices in Washington, DC and nationwide. Elwha River near Olympic National Park In 2010, after years of negotiations, While we celebrate these successes, American Rivers for nearly 100 years, decimating the American Rivers signed historic agree- MIDWEST Take action at AmericanRivers.org salmon runs. Our advocacy helped ments to remove four dams on the continues to monitor these rivers—and all rivers nationwide America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: spur the decision to remove the dams. Klamath River, in what will result in the Minnesota River: South Dakota and 2010 Edition Sponsor Klamath River, CA Tupper Blake/USFWS Deconstruction is on schedule to begin world’s biggest river restoration project. America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: 2010 Edition is made Minnesota (2008) —to ensure that victories are upheld and to safeguard in 2011 and will restore more than 70 The agreements will restore access to possible with generous funding from the Margaret T. Biddle 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS miles of river, from mountains to sea. more than 350 miles of salmon habitat, Threat: Proposed coal-fired power plant Foundation. against new threats. The 2010 list of endangered rivers resolve decades-long disputes over Other important victories in the A coal-fired power plant would have American Rivers would like to thank Bert and Barbara Cohn for their water in the basin, and provide greater provides a snapshot of today’s most critical threats to rivers Northwest include the protection of sent more pollution into the air, and long-time support of this campaign. economic security for fishing, tribal, endangered the Minnesota River with throughout the nation, from harmful gas drilling to outdated the Columbia River’s Hanford Reach and agricultural communities. excessive water withdrawals and (listed 1998) as a National Monument mercury pollution. In 2009, the U.S. flood management to construction of new dams. With the and the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers Also in California, a proposal for a new EPA said the proposal did not meet Printed on paper that contains (listed 1990-1993) in Alaska and British road that threatened San Mateo Creek federal air quality requirements — help of our activists and supporters across the country, we 30% post-consumer recycled fiber Columbia, which prevented potentially (listed 2007) and the famous Trestles effectively killing the plant. devastating copper mining. surf break was defeated, as was the will continue to protect these endangered rivers. Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX DESIGN: Levine & Associates, Washington, DC pipeline that threatened the Tuolumne
www.levinedc.com River (listed 2005). 25 Elwha River, WA J. Poth Cedar River Iowa new era of stewardship and recovery for the Upper Colorado. The regulatory TM Threat: Outdated flood management agencies, conservation interests, and Why These 10 Rivers? 2010 America’s Most Endangered Rivers The Cedar River provides critical people of Colorado must insist that the 5 habitat for fish and wildlife and is water projects contain key protections for a popular destination for paddlers river health. Each year, American Rivers reviews nominations for the America’s Most Endangered and anglers. However, outdated flood Contact Information: RiversTM report from river groups and concerned citizens across the country. Rivers are management and poor watershed Upper Delaware River American Rivers: David Moryc (202) 347- selected based upon the following criteria: planning are impacting public health and 7550, [email protected] Pennsylvania, New York safety by causing pollution and increasing Threat: Natural gas extraction the risk of flood damage. The Iowa Colorado Trout Unlimited: Ken Neubecker n A major decision (that the public can help influence) in the coming year legislature must work with the U.S. Army (970) 376-1918, [email protected] The Upper Delaware River provides Corps of Engineers to prioritize lower on the proposed action 1 drinking water to 17 million people cost, non-structural flood management across Pennsylvania and New York. solutions on the Cedar River. These natural n The significance of the threat to human and natural communities However, this clean water source is solutions will help reduce flood damage, threatened by natural gas extraction improve water quality, and restore fish and n The degree to which the proposed action would exacerbate or alleviate Little River, NC Restoration Systems LLC activities in the Marcellus Shale, where wildlife while saving taxpayer dollars. stresses caused by climate change chemicals injected into the ground create untreatable toxic wastewater. Until a Contact Information: Teton River, ID Jonathan Long thorough study of the impacts on drinking Little River North Carolina American Rivers: Shana Udvardy, (202) The report is a call-to-action and emphasizes solutions for the rivers and their communities. 347-7550, [email protected] water is completed, the Delaware River Threat: New dam Basin Commission must refrain from By shining the spotlight on key decisions that will impact the rivers, and by providing clear The Nature Conservancy: Sean McMahon Idaho issuing permits that will allow gas drilling The Little River, home to an abundance Teton River Monongahela River actions the public can take on their behalf, the report is a powerful tool for saving these (515) 244-5044, [email protected] Pennsylvania, West Virginia in this watershed. In addition, Congress 4 of fish and wildlife, provides drinking Threat: New dam important rivers. must pass the Fracturing Responsibility water, irrigation, and recreational oppor- Iowa Environmental Council: Susan Threat: Natural gas extraction The Teton River is a western and Awareness of Chemicals Act of tunities to the surrounding communities. Heathcote, (515) 244-1194 x 205 treasure, home to abundant wildlife The Monongahela River provides 2009 to help protect all rivers within A proposed water supply dam would [email protected] 8 and one of the last strongholds for rare drinking water for hundreds of the Marcellus Shale region. not only cost taxpayers millions, it would 9 Iowa River Revival: Rosalyn Lehman thousands of people, and is home to Upper Delaware River, PA David B. Soete severely harm the river’s health. American Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The river (515) 202-7720, [email protected] some of the East Coast’s best fishing, Contact Information: Rivers proposes better, more reliable, supports a tremendous recreational whitewater boating, and wildlife. American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- and cost-effective solutions to meet the fishery and whitewater boating. How- Blate (202) 347-7550, ever, some eastern Idaho water users However, the river and its clean water supply and flood management systems are essential to the health and heritage area’s water supply needs, including [email protected] want to rebuild the Teton Dam — a dam are threatened by pollution created by have decimated the ecosystem and of Appalachian communities. comprehensive water efficiency measures, that catastrophically failed 35 years ago. natural gas extraction activities in the Coosa River, AL Charles Seifried Damascus Citizens for Sustainability: closed the commercial salmon fishery, and expanding existing water supply Contact Information: The state of Idaho and U.S. Bureau of Marcellus Shale. The Ohio River Valley Patrick Carullo, (570) 685-8774 all while leaving Californians ever more reservoirs. Raleigh and Wake County Chetco River, OR Barbara Ullian Water Sanitation Commission, and the ME American Rivers: Liz Garland, (717) 763- Reclamation are now studying the feasi- [email protected] vulnerable to droughts and floods. Now should pursue these smarter and cheaper WA bility of rebuilding the dam or pursuing states of Pennsylvania and West two separate efforts to reengineer the 0742, [email protected] alternatives, and protect the valuable non-structural water supply alternatives Virginia, must act to prohibit water Coosa River Alabama state water supply and flood control Appalachian Center for the Economy resources of the Little River. Chetco River Oregon quality degradation associated with MT ND VT Sacramento-San Joaquin that would keep the Teton River in its Threat: Hydropower dams NH system threaten to increase water and the Environment: Margaret Janes Marcellus Shale drilling to protect the OR River Delta California Contact Information: Threat: Mining free-flowing state. Instead of rebuilding MA diversions and preclude floodplain (304) 897-6048, [email protected] region’s clean water for future The Coosa River is a cultural NY American Rivers: Lynnette Batt an expensive and unnecessary dam, the ID RI Threat: Outdated water and flood restoration that is essential for salmon Southern Oregon’s Wild and Scenic generations. 7 MN WI CT (919) 682-3197, [email protected] state and the Bureau of Reclamation 10 icon of the South and home Chetco River 8 management recovery and public safety. Decisions by West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: Chetco River boasts pristine waters Teton River Upper Delaware River 7 should promote more cost-effective, to an astounding variety of rare and SD Governor Schwarzenegger in the last Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 Upper Neuse Riverkeeper: Alissa Bierma Contact Information: and abundant wild salmon and steelhead. reliable water supply solutions that unique fish, snails, and mussels. The 5 MI 1 California’s Sacramento-San [email protected] American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- WY Cedar River NJ months of his term should ensure that (919) 856-1180, [email protected] However, this natural gem faces an construction of seven large hydropower PA 2 Joaquin River Delta supplies drinking focus on conservation and smarter Blate, (202) 347-7550 IA 9 restoration measures are included in the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition: immediate threat from a strip mining dams in the mid 1900’s turned the river Monongahela River water to 25 million people, irrigates the water management. [email protected] MD DE plans to restore the ecology of the Delta. proposal that would use a highly NV NE most productive agricultural land in the Vivian Stockman, (304) 522-0246 into a series of reservoirs and caused 2 6 IN OH damaging method of dredging. Oregon’s Contact Information: Center for Coalfield Justice: IL WV country, and provides critical habitat for Contact Information: [email protected] the largest mass extinction of aquatic Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Upper Colorado River Senators Wyden and Merkley, Congress- American Rivers: Scott Bosse Emily Bloom, (724) 229-3550 Gauley River the Pacific salmon fishery and millions of American Rivers: John Cain species in U.S. history. But there is still an VA man DeFazio, and Governor Kulongoski (406) 570-0455 [email protected] CO Cedar River, IA opportunity to save some of the Coosa’s UT 3 migratory birds. However, outdated water (510) 388-8930, [email protected] KS KY are calling on the agencies that manage [email protected] remaining natural heritage for future CA MO West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: 4 this river (the U.S. Department of Agricul- Little River Idaho Rivers United: Kevin Lewis Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 generations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Gauley River West Virginia ture and the U.S. Department of Interior) TN NC (208) 343-7481, [email protected] [email protected] Service must insist on strong protections Threat: Mountaintop removal coal mining to prohibit mining in or near the Chetco OK Upper Colorado River Colorado for the river’s endangered wildlife in the SC River this summer. This reprieve would Trout Unlimited: Peter Anderson West Virginia Rivers Coalition: AR license that will allow Alabama Power AZ The Gauley River is internationally Threat: Water diversions NM allow Congress time to legislate the best (208) 345-9800, [email protected] Shanda Minney, (304) 637-7201 to operate these dams for the next 50 10 famous for its whitewater, contributing Coosa River GA 3 possible long-term protection for the [email protected] years. The Coosa will serve as a test approximately $16 million in annual The Upper Colorado River and its AL Wild and Scenic Chetco River. as to whether federal agencies are MS revenue to West Virginia from commercial 6 tributaries are home to prized trout committed to environmentally rafting. The river also supports trout fisheries, drawing anglers and paddlers Contact Information: sustainable hydropower operations. TX and bass, but is scarred by coal mining from across the country. However, more American Rivers: Kavita Heyn, (503) LA than 100 years of diversions have sapped 827-8648, [email protected] FL impacts and subjected to degradation Contact Information: from on-going mining activity. The the river of its lifeblood. If two new major Friends of the Kalmiopsis: Barbara Ullian American Rivers: Matt Rice, (803) process of mountaintop removal mining proposed diversion projects advance (541) 474-2265, [email protected] 771-7206, [email protected] flattens mountaintops, buries streams without the right provisions, the river under debris, and pollutes water. The could become a shadow of its former Rogue Riverkeeper: Lesley Adams Alabama Rivers Alliance: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency self. Conversely, if the projects move (541) 488-5789, [email protected] Mitch Reid, (205) 322-6395 and cooperating agencies must stop the forward with appropriate foresight and [email protected] Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, CA consideration for the long-term protection permitting of mine activity that harms the World Wildlife Fund: Judy Takats Patrick Kelly Gauley River, WV Paul Corbit Brown Upper Colorado River, CO Ken Neubecker of the river’s health, it could usher in a Monongahela River, PA Ronjamin clean water and natural areas that (615) 279-1814, [email protected] Cedar River Iowa new era of stewardship and recovery for the Upper Colorado. The regulatory TM Threat: Outdated flood management agencies, conservation interests, and Why These 10 Rivers? 2010 America’s Most Endangered Rivers The Cedar River provides critical people of Colorado must insist that the 5 habitat for fish and wildlife and is water projects contain key protections for a popular destination for paddlers river health. Each year, American Rivers reviews nominations for the America’s Most Endangered and anglers. However, outdated flood Contact Information: RiversTM report from river groups and concerned citizens across the country. Rivers are management and poor watershed Upper Delaware River American Rivers: David Moryc (202) 347- selected based upon the following criteria: planning are impacting public health and 7550, [email protected] Pennsylvania, New York safety by causing pollution and increasing Threat: Natural gas extraction the risk of flood damage. The Iowa Colorado Trout Unlimited: Ken Neubecker n A major decision (that the public can help influence) in the coming year legislature must work with the U.S. Army (970) 376-1918, [email protected] The Upper Delaware River provides Corps of Engineers to prioritize lower on the proposed action 1 drinking water to 17 million people cost, non-structural flood management across Pennsylvania and New York. solutions on the Cedar River. These natural n The significance of the threat to human and natural communities However, this clean water source is solutions will help reduce flood damage, threatened by natural gas extraction improve water quality, and restore fish and n The degree to which the proposed action would exacerbate or alleviate Little River, NC Restoration Systems LLC activities in the Marcellus Shale, where wildlife while saving taxpayer dollars. stresses caused by climate change chemicals injected into the ground create untreatable toxic wastewater. Until a Contact Information: Teton River, ID Jonathan Long thorough study of the impacts on drinking Little River North Carolina American Rivers: Shana Udvardy, (202) The report is a call-to-action and emphasizes solutions for the rivers and their communities. 347-7550, [email protected] water is completed, the Delaware River Threat: New dam Basin Commission must refrain from By shining the spotlight on key decisions that will impact the rivers, and by providing clear The Nature Conservancy: Sean McMahon Idaho issuing permits that will allow gas drilling The Little River, home to an abundance Teton River Monongahela River actions the public can take on their behalf, the report is a powerful tool for saving these (515) 244-5044, [email protected] Pennsylvania, West Virginia in this watershed. In addition, Congress 4 of fish and wildlife, provides drinking Threat: New dam important rivers. must pass the Fracturing Responsibility water, irrigation, and recreational oppor- Iowa Environmental Council: Susan Threat: Natural gas extraction The Teton River is a western and Awareness of Chemicals Act of tunities to the surrounding communities. Heathcote, (515) 244-1194 x 205 treasure, home to abundant wildlife The Monongahela River provides 2009 to help protect all rivers within A proposed water supply dam would [email protected] 8 and one of the last strongholds for rare drinking water for hundreds of the Marcellus Shale region. not only cost taxpayers millions, it would 9 Iowa River Revival: Rosalyn Lehman thousands of people, and is home to Upper Delaware River, PA David B. Soete severely harm the river’s health. American Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The river (515) 202-7720, [email protected] some of the East Coast’s best fishing, Contact Information: Rivers proposes better, more reliable, supports a tremendous recreational whitewater boating, and wildlife. American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- and cost-effective solutions to meet the fishery and whitewater boating. How- Blate (202) 347-7550, ever, some eastern Idaho water users However, the river and its clean water supply and flood management systems are essential to the health and heritage area’s water supply needs, including [email protected] want to rebuild the Teton Dam — a dam are threatened by pollution created by have decimated the ecosystem and of Appalachian communities. comprehensive water efficiency measures, that catastrophically failed 35 years ago. natural gas extraction activities in the Coosa River, AL Charles Seifried Damascus Citizens for Sustainability: closed the commercial salmon fishery, and expanding existing water supply Contact Information: The state of Idaho and U.S. Bureau of Marcellus Shale. The Ohio River Valley Patrick Carullo, (570) 685-8774 all while leaving Californians ever more reservoirs. Raleigh and Wake County Chetco River, OR Barbara Ullian Water Sanitation Commission, and the ME American Rivers: Liz Garland, (717) 763- Reclamation are now studying the feasi- [email protected] vulnerable to droughts and floods. Now should pursue these smarter and cheaper WA bility of rebuilding the dam or pursuing states of Pennsylvania and West two separate efforts to reengineer the 0742, [email protected] alternatives, and protect the valuable non-structural water supply alternatives Virginia, must act to prohibit water Coosa River Alabama state water supply and flood control Appalachian Center for the Economy resources of the Little River. Chetco River Oregon quality degradation associated with MT ND VT Sacramento-San Joaquin that would keep the Teton River in its Threat: Hydropower dams NH system threaten to increase water and the Environment: Margaret Janes Marcellus Shale drilling to protect the OR River Delta California Contact Information: Threat: Mining free-flowing state. Instead of rebuilding MA diversions and preclude floodplain (304) 897-6048, [email protected] region’s clean water for future The Coosa River is a cultural NY American Rivers: Lynnette Batt an expensive and unnecessary dam, the ID RI Threat: Outdated water and flood restoration that is essential for salmon Southern Oregon’s Wild and Scenic generations. 7 MN WI CT (919) 682-3197, [email protected] state and the Bureau of Reclamation 10 icon of the South and home Chetco River 8 management recovery and public safety. Decisions by West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: Chetco River boasts pristine waters Teton River Upper Delaware River 7 should promote more cost-effective, to an astounding variety of rare and SD Governor Schwarzenegger in the last Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 Upper Neuse Riverkeeper: Alissa Bierma Contact Information: and abundant wild salmon and steelhead. reliable water supply solutions that unique fish, snails, and mussels. The 5 MI 1 California’s Sacramento-San [email protected] American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- WY Cedar River NJ months of his term should ensure that (919) 856-1180, [email protected] However, this natural gem faces an construction of seven large hydropower PA 2 Joaquin River Delta supplies drinking focus on conservation and smarter Blate, (202) 347-7550 IA 9 restoration measures are included in the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition: immediate threat from a strip mining dams in the mid 1900’s turned the river Monongahela River water to 25 million people, irrigates the water management. [email protected] MD DE plans to restore the ecology of the Delta. proposal that would use a highly NV NE most productive agricultural land in the Vivian Stockman, (304) 522-0246 into a series of reservoirs and caused 2 6 IN OH damaging method of dredging. Oregon’s Contact Information: Center for Coalfield Justice: IL WV country, and provides critical habitat for Contact Information: [email protected] the largest mass extinction of aquatic Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Upper Colorado River Senators Wyden and Merkley, Congress- American Rivers: Scott Bosse Emily Bloom, (724) 229-3550 Gauley River the Pacific salmon fishery and millions of American Rivers: John Cain species in U.S. history. But there is still an VA man DeFazio, and Governor Kulongoski (406) 570-0455 [email protected] CO Cedar River, IA opportunity to save some of the Coosa’s UT 3 migratory birds. However, outdated water (510) 388-8930, [email protected] KS KY are calling on the agencies that manage [email protected] remaining natural heritage for future CA MO West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: 4 this river (the U.S. Department of Agricul- Little River Idaho Rivers United: Kevin Lewis Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 generations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Gauley River West Virginia ture and the U.S. Department of Interior) TN NC (208) 343-7481, [email protected] [email protected] Service must insist on strong protections Threat: Mountaintop removal coal mining to prohibit mining in or near the Chetco OK Upper Colorado River Colorado for the river’s endangered wildlife in the SC River this summer. This reprieve would Trout Unlimited: Peter Anderson West Virginia Rivers Coalition: AR license that will allow Alabama Power AZ The Gauley River is internationally Threat: Water diversions NM allow Congress time to legislate the best (208) 345-9800, [email protected] Shanda Minney, (304) 637-7201 to operate these dams for the next 50 10 famous for its whitewater, contributing Coosa River GA 3 possible long-term protection for the [email protected] years. The Coosa will serve as a test approximately $16 million in annual The Upper Colorado River and its AL Wild and Scenic Chetco River. as to whether federal agencies are MS revenue to West Virginia from commercial 6 tributaries are home to prized trout committed to environmentally rafting. The river also supports trout fisheries, drawing anglers and paddlers Contact Information: sustainable hydropower operations. TX and bass, but is scarred by coal mining from across the country. However, more American Rivers: Kavita Heyn, (503) LA than 100 years of diversions have sapped 827-8648, [email protected] FL impacts and subjected to degradation Contact Information: from on-going mining activity. The the river of its lifeblood. If two new major Friends of the Kalmiopsis: Barbara Ullian American Rivers: Matt Rice, (803) process of mountaintop removal mining proposed diversion projects advance (541) 474-2265, [email protected] 771-7206, [email protected] flattens mountaintops, buries streams without the right provisions, the river under debris, and pollutes water. The could become a shadow of its former Rogue Riverkeeper: Lesley Adams Alabama Rivers Alliance: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency self. Conversely, if the projects move (541) 488-5789, [email protected] Mitch Reid, (205) 322-6395 and cooperating agencies must stop the forward with appropriate foresight and [email protected] Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, CA consideration for the long-term protection permitting of mine activity that harms the World Wildlife Fund: Judy Takats Patrick Kelly Gauley River, WV Paul Corbit Brown Upper Colorado River, CO Ken Neubecker of the river’s health, it could usher in a Monongahela River, PA Ronjamin clean water and natural areas that (615) 279-1814, [email protected] Cedar River Iowa new era of stewardship and recovery for the Upper Colorado. The regulatory TM Threat: Outdated flood management agencies, conservation interests, and Why These 10 Rivers? 2010 America’s Most Endangered Rivers The Cedar River provides critical people of Colorado must insist that the 5 habitat for fish and wildlife and is water projects contain key protections for a popular destination for paddlers river health. Each year, American Rivers reviews nominations for the America’s Most Endangered and anglers. However, outdated flood Contact Information: RiversTM report from river groups and concerned citizens across the country. Rivers are management and poor watershed Upper Delaware River American Rivers: David Moryc (202) 347- selected based upon the following criteria: planning are impacting public health and 7550, [email protected] Pennsylvania, New York safety by causing pollution and increasing Threat: Natural gas extraction the risk of flood damage. The Iowa Colorado Trout Unlimited: Ken Neubecker n A major decision (that the public can help influence) in the coming year legislature must work with the U.S. Army (970) 376-1918, [email protected] The Upper Delaware River provides Corps of Engineers to prioritize lower on the proposed action 1 drinking water to 17 million people cost, non-structural flood management across Pennsylvania and New York. solutions on the Cedar River. These natural n The significance of the threat to human and natural communities However, this clean water source is solutions will help reduce flood damage, threatened by natural gas extraction improve water quality, and restore fish and n The degree to which the proposed action would exacerbate or alleviate Little River, NC Restoration Systems LLC activities in the Marcellus Shale, where wildlife while saving taxpayer dollars. stresses caused by climate change chemicals injected into the ground create untreatable toxic wastewater. Until a Contact Information: Teton River, ID Jonathan Long thorough study of the impacts on drinking Little River North Carolina American Rivers: Shana Udvardy, (202) The report is a call-to-action and emphasizes solutions for the rivers and their communities. 347-7550, [email protected] water is completed, the Delaware River Threat: New dam Basin Commission must refrain from By shining the spotlight on key decisions that will impact the rivers, and by providing clear The Nature Conservancy: Sean McMahon Idaho issuing permits that will allow gas drilling The Little River, home to an abundance Teton River Monongahela River actions the public can take on their behalf, the report is a powerful tool for saving these (515) 244-5044, [email protected] Pennsylvania, West Virginia in this watershed. In addition, Congress 4 of fish and wildlife, provides drinking Threat: New dam important rivers. must pass the Fracturing Responsibility water, irrigation, and recreational oppor- Iowa Environmental Council: Susan Threat: Natural gas extraction The Teton River is a western and Awareness of Chemicals Act of tunities to the surrounding communities. Heathcote, (515) 244-1194 x 205 treasure, home to abundant wildlife The Monongahela River provides 2009 to help protect all rivers within A proposed water supply dam would [email protected] 8 and one of the last strongholds for rare drinking water for hundreds of the Marcellus Shale region. not only cost taxpayers millions, it would 9 Iowa River Revival: Rosalyn Lehman thousands of people, and is home to Upper Delaware River, PA David B. Soete severely harm the river’s health. American Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The river (515) 202-7720, [email protected] some of the East Coast’s best fishing, Contact Information: Rivers proposes better, more reliable, supports a tremendous recreational whitewater boating, and wildlife. American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- and cost-effective solutions to meet the fishery and whitewater boating. How- Blate (202) 347-7550, ever, some eastern Idaho water users However, the river and its clean water supply and flood management systems are essential to the health and heritage area’s water supply needs, including [email protected] want to rebuild the Teton Dam — a dam are threatened by pollution created by have decimated the ecosystem and of Appalachian communities. comprehensive water efficiency measures, that catastrophically failed 35 years ago. natural gas extraction activities in the Coosa River, AL Charles Seifried Damascus Citizens for Sustainability: closed the commercial salmon fishery, and expanding existing water supply Contact Information: The state of Idaho and U.S. Bureau of Marcellus Shale. The Ohio River Valley Patrick Carullo, (570) 685-8774 all while leaving Californians ever more reservoirs. Raleigh and Wake County Chetco River, OR Barbara Ullian Water Sanitation Commission, and the ME American Rivers: Liz Garland, (717) 763- Reclamation are now studying the feasi- [email protected] vulnerable to droughts and floods. Now should pursue these smarter and cheaper WA bility of rebuilding the dam or pursuing states of Pennsylvania and West two separate efforts to reengineer the 0742, [email protected] alternatives, and protect the valuable non-structural water supply alternatives Virginia, must act to prohibit water Coosa River Alabama state water supply and flood control Appalachian Center for the Economy resources of the Little River. Chetco River Oregon quality degradation associated with MT ND VT Sacramento-San Joaquin that would keep the Teton River in its Threat: Hydropower dams NH system threaten to increase water and the Environment: Margaret Janes Marcellus Shale drilling to protect the OR River Delta California Contact Information: Threat: Mining free-flowing state. Instead of rebuilding MA diversions and preclude floodplain (304) 897-6048, [email protected] region’s clean water for future The Coosa River is a cultural NY American Rivers: Lynnette Batt an expensive and unnecessary dam, the ID RI Threat: Outdated water and flood restoration that is essential for salmon Southern Oregon’s Wild and Scenic generations. 7 MN WI CT (919) 682-3197, [email protected] state and the Bureau of Reclamation 10 icon of the South and home Chetco River 8 management recovery and public safety. Decisions by West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: Chetco River boasts pristine waters Teton River Upper Delaware River 7 should promote more cost-effective, to an astounding variety of rare and SD Governor Schwarzenegger in the last Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 Upper Neuse Riverkeeper: Alissa Bierma Contact Information: and abundant wild salmon and steelhead. reliable water supply solutions that unique fish, snails, and mussels. The 5 MI 1 California’s Sacramento-San [email protected] American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- WY Cedar River NJ months of his term should ensure that (919) 856-1180, [email protected] However, this natural gem faces an construction of seven large hydropower PA 2 Joaquin River Delta supplies drinking focus on conservation and smarter Blate, (202) 347-7550 IA 9 restoration measures are included in the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition: immediate threat from a strip mining dams in the mid 1900’s turned the river Monongahela River water to 25 million people, irrigates the water management. [email protected] MD DE plans to restore the ecology of the Delta. proposal that would use a highly NV NE most productive agricultural land in the Vivian Stockman, (304) 522-0246 into a series of reservoirs and caused 2 6 IN OH damaging method of dredging. Oregon’s Contact Information: Center for Coalfield Justice: IL WV country, and provides critical habitat for Contact Information: [email protected] the largest mass extinction of aquatic Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Upper Colorado River Senators Wyden and Merkley, Congress- American Rivers: Scott Bosse Emily Bloom, (724) 229-3550 Gauley River the Pacific salmon fishery and millions of American Rivers: John Cain species in U.S. history. But there is still an VA man DeFazio, and Governor Kulongoski (406) 570-0455 [email protected] CO Cedar River, IA opportunity to save some of the Coosa’s UT 3 migratory birds. However, outdated water (510) 388-8930, [email protected] KS KY are calling on the agencies that manage [email protected] remaining natural heritage for future CA MO West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: 4 this river (the U.S. Department of Agricul- Little River Idaho Rivers United: Kevin Lewis Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 generations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Gauley River West Virginia ture and the U.S. Department of Interior) TN NC (208) 343-7481, [email protected] [email protected] Service must insist on strong protections Threat: Mountaintop removal coal mining to prohibit mining in or near the Chetco OK Upper Colorado River Colorado for the river’s endangered wildlife in the SC River this summer. This reprieve would Trout Unlimited: Peter Anderson West Virginia Rivers Coalition: AR license that will allow Alabama Power AZ The Gauley River is internationally Threat: Water diversions NM allow Congress time to legislate the best (208) 345-9800, [email protected] Shanda Minney, (304) 637-7201 to operate these dams for the next 50 10 famous for its whitewater, contributing Coosa River GA 3 possible long-term protection for the [email protected] years. The Coosa will serve as a test approximately $16 million in annual The Upper Colorado River and its AL Wild and Scenic Chetco River. as to whether federal agencies are MS revenue to West Virginia from commercial 6 tributaries are home to prized trout committed to environmentally rafting. The river also supports trout fisheries, drawing anglers and paddlers Contact Information: sustainable hydropower operations. TX and bass, but is scarred by coal mining from across the country. However, more American Rivers: Kavita Heyn, (503) LA than 100 years of diversions have sapped 827-8648, [email protected] FL impacts and subjected to degradation Contact Information: from on-going mining activity. The the river of its lifeblood. If two new major Friends of the Kalmiopsis: Barbara Ullian American Rivers: Matt Rice, (803) process of mountaintop removal mining proposed diversion projects advance (541) 474-2265, [email protected] 771-7206, [email protected] flattens mountaintops, buries streams without the right provisions, the river under debris, and pollutes water. The could become a shadow of its former Rogue Riverkeeper: Lesley Adams Alabama Rivers Alliance: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency self. Conversely, if the projects move (541) 488-5789, [email protected] Mitch Reid, (205) 322-6395 and cooperating agencies must stop the forward with appropriate foresight and [email protected] Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, CA consideration for the long-term protection permitting of mine activity that harms the World Wildlife Fund: Judy Takats Patrick Kelly Gauley River, WV Paul Corbit Brown Upper Colorado River, CO Ken Neubecker of the river’s health, it could usher in a Monongahela River, PA Ronjamin clean water and natural areas that (615) 279-1814, [email protected] Cedar River Iowa new era of stewardship and recovery for the Upper Colorado. The regulatory TM Threat: Outdated flood management agencies, conservation interests, and Why These 10 Rivers? 2010 America’s Most Endangered Rivers The Cedar River provides critical people of Colorado must insist that the 5 habitat for fish and wildlife and is water projects contain key protections for a popular destination for paddlers river health. Each year, American Rivers reviews nominations for the America’s Most Endangered and anglers. However, outdated flood Contact Information: RiversTM report from river groups and concerned citizens across the country. Rivers are management and poor watershed Upper Delaware River American Rivers: David Moryc (202) 347- selected based upon the following criteria: planning are impacting public health and 7550, [email protected] Pennsylvania, New York safety by causing pollution and increasing Threat: Natural gas extraction the risk of flood damage. The Iowa Colorado Trout Unlimited: Ken Neubecker n A major decision (that the public can help influence) in the coming year legislature must work with the U.S. Army (970) 376-1918, [email protected] The Upper Delaware River provides Corps of Engineers to prioritize lower on the proposed action 1 drinking water to 17 million people cost, non-structural flood management across Pennsylvania and New York. solutions on the Cedar River. These natural n The significance of the threat to human and natural communities However, this clean water source is solutions will help reduce flood damage, threatened by natural gas extraction improve water quality, and restore fish and n The degree to which the proposed action would exacerbate or alleviate Little River, NC Restoration Systems LLC activities in the Marcellus Shale, where wildlife while saving taxpayer dollars. stresses caused by climate change chemicals injected into the ground create untreatable toxic wastewater. Until a Contact Information: Teton River, ID Jonathan Long thorough study of the impacts on drinking Little River North Carolina American Rivers: Shana Udvardy, (202) The report is a call-to-action and emphasizes solutions for the rivers and their communities. 347-7550, [email protected] water is completed, the Delaware River Threat: New dam Basin Commission must refrain from By shining the spotlight on key decisions that will impact the rivers, and by providing clear The Nature Conservancy: Sean McMahon Idaho issuing permits that will allow gas drilling The Little River, home to an abundance Teton River Monongahela River actions the public can take on their behalf, the report is a powerful tool for saving these (515) 244-5044, [email protected] Pennsylvania, West Virginia in this watershed. In addition, Congress 4 of fish and wildlife, provides drinking Threat: New dam important rivers. must pass the Fracturing Responsibility water, irrigation, and recreational oppor- Iowa Environmental Council: Susan Threat: Natural gas extraction The Teton River is a western and Awareness of Chemicals Act of tunities to the surrounding communities. Heathcote, (515) 244-1194 x 205 treasure, home to abundant wildlife The Monongahela River provides 2009 to help protect all rivers within A proposed water supply dam would [email protected] 8 and one of the last strongholds for rare drinking water for hundreds of the Marcellus Shale region. not only cost taxpayers millions, it would 9 Iowa River Revival: Rosalyn Lehman thousands of people, and is home to Upper Delaware River, PA David B. Soete severely harm the river’s health. American Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The river (515) 202-7720, [email protected] some of the East Coast’s best fishing, Contact Information: Rivers proposes better, more reliable, supports a tremendous recreational whitewater boating, and wildlife. American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- and cost-effective solutions to meet the fishery and whitewater boating. How- Blate (202) 347-7550, ever, some eastern Idaho water users However, the river and its clean water supply and flood management systems are essential to the health and heritage area’s water supply needs, including [email protected] want to rebuild the Teton Dam — a dam are threatened by pollution created by have decimated the ecosystem and of Appalachian communities. comprehensive water efficiency measures, that catastrophically failed 35 years ago. natural gas extraction activities in the Coosa River, AL Charles Seifried Damascus Citizens for Sustainability: closed the commercial salmon fishery, and expanding existing water supply Contact Information: The state of Idaho and U.S. Bureau of Marcellus Shale. The Ohio River Valley Patrick Carullo, (570) 685-8774 all while leaving Californians ever more reservoirs. Raleigh and Wake County Chetco River, OR Barbara Ullian Water Sanitation Commission, and the ME American Rivers: Liz Garland, (717) 763- Reclamation are now studying the feasi- [email protected] vulnerable to droughts and floods. Now should pursue these smarter and cheaper WA bility of rebuilding the dam or pursuing states of Pennsylvania and West two separate efforts to reengineer the 0742, [email protected] alternatives, and protect the valuable non-structural water supply alternatives Virginia, must act to prohibit water Coosa River Alabama state water supply and flood control Appalachian Center for the Economy resources of the Little River. Chetco River Oregon quality degradation associated with MT ND VT Sacramento-San Joaquin that would keep the Teton River in its Threat: Hydropower dams NH system threaten to increase water and the Environment: Margaret Janes Marcellus Shale drilling to protect the OR River Delta California Contact Information: Threat: Mining free-flowing state. Instead of rebuilding MA diversions and preclude floodplain (304) 897-6048, [email protected] region’s clean water for future The Coosa River is a cultural NY American Rivers: Lynnette Batt an expensive and unnecessary dam, the ID RI Threat: Outdated water and flood restoration that is essential for salmon Southern Oregon’s Wild and Scenic generations. 7 MN WI CT (919) 682-3197, [email protected] state and the Bureau of Reclamation 10 icon of the South and home Chetco River 8 management recovery and public safety. Decisions by West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: Chetco River boasts pristine waters Teton River Upper Delaware River 7 should promote more cost-effective, to an astounding variety of rare and SD Governor Schwarzenegger in the last Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 Upper Neuse Riverkeeper: Alissa Bierma Contact Information: and abundant wild salmon and steelhead. reliable water supply solutions that unique fish, snails, and mussels. The 5 MI 1 California’s Sacramento-San [email protected] American Rivers: Jessie Thomas- WY Cedar River NJ months of his term should ensure that (919) 856-1180, [email protected] However, this natural gem faces an construction of seven large hydropower PA 2 Joaquin River Delta supplies drinking focus on conservation and smarter Blate, (202) 347-7550 IA 9 restoration measures are included in the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition: immediate threat from a strip mining dams in the mid 1900’s turned the river Monongahela River water to 25 million people, irrigates the water management. [email protected] MD DE plans to restore the ecology of the Delta. proposal that would use a highly NV NE most productive agricultural land in the Vivian Stockman, (304) 522-0246 into a series of reservoirs and caused 2 6 IN OH damaging method of dredging. Oregon’s Contact Information: Center for Coalfield Justice: IL WV country, and provides critical habitat for Contact Information: [email protected] the largest mass extinction of aquatic Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Upper Colorado River Senators Wyden and Merkley, Congress- American Rivers: Scott Bosse Emily Bloom, (724) 229-3550 Gauley River the Pacific salmon fishery and millions of American Rivers: John Cain species in U.S. history. But there is still an VA man DeFazio, and Governor Kulongoski (406) 570-0455 [email protected] CO Cedar River, IA opportunity to save some of the Coosa’s UT 3 migratory birds. However, outdated water (510) 388-8930, [email protected] KS KY are calling on the agencies that manage [email protected] remaining natural heritage for future CA MO West Virginia Highlands Conservancy: 4 this river (the U.S. Department of Agricul- Little River Idaho Rivers United: Kevin Lewis Cindy Rank, (304) 924-5802 generations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Gauley River West Virginia ture and the U.S. Department of Interior) TN NC (208) 343-7481, [email protected] [email protected] Service must insist on strong protections Threat: Mountaintop removal coal mining to prohibit mining in or near the Chetco OK Upper Colorado River Colorado for the river’s endangered wildlife in the SC River this summer. This reprieve would Trout Unlimited: Peter Anderson West Virginia Rivers Coalition: AR license that will allow Alabama Power AZ The Gauley River is internationally Threat: Water diversions NM allow Congress time to legislate the best (208) 345-9800, [email protected] Shanda Minney, (304) 637-7201 to operate these dams for the next 50 10 famous for its whitewater, contributing Coosa River GA 3 possible long-term protection for the [email protected] years. The Coosa will serve as a test approximately $16 million in annual The Upper Colorado River and its AL Wild and Scenic Chetco River. as to whether federal agencies are MS revenue to West Virginia from commercial 6 tributaries are home to prized trout committed to environmentally rafting. The river also supports trout fisheries, drawing anglers and paddlers Contact Information: sustainable hydropower operations. TX and bass, but is scarred by coal mining from across the country. However, more American Rivers: Kavita Heyn, (503) LA than 100 years of diversions have sapped 827-8648, [email protected] FL impacts and subjected to degradation Contact Information: from on-going mining activity. The the river of its lifeblood. If two new major Friends of the Kalmiopsis: Barbara Ullian American Rivers: Matt Rice, (803) process of mountaintop removal mining proposed diversion projects advance (541) 474-2265, [email protected] 771-7206, [email protected] flattens mountaintops, buries streams without the right provisions, the river under debris, and pollutes water. The could become a shadow of its former Rogue Riverkeeper: Lesley Adams Alabama Rivers Alliance: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency self. Conversely, if the projects move (541) 488-5789, [email protected] Mitch Reid, (205) 322-6395 and cooperating agencies must stop the forward with appropriate foresight and [email protected] Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, CA consideration for the long-term protection permitting of mine activity that harms the World Wildlife Fund: Judy Takats Patrick Kelly Gauley River, WV Paul Corbit Brown Upper Colorado River, CO Ken Neubecker of the river’s health, it could usher in a Monongahela River, PA Ronjamin clean water and natural areas that (615) 279-1814, [email protected] 2 0 1 0 E D i t i o N
Northern ROCKIES water consumption that threatened the Ipswich River (listed 2003) in North Fork of the Flathead River: Massachusetts, and work is being done Montana (2009) to minimize PCB contamination in New Threat: Proposed mines and oil York’s Hudson River (listed 2001). and gas drilling YEARS Mining and oil and gas drilling proposals MID-Atlantic in British Columbia endangered the Susquehanna River: New York, pristine North Fork of the Flathead Pennsylvania, and Maryland (2005) River, its native fish and wildlife, and TM recreational opportunities in and around Flathead River, MT Ryan Hagerty/USFWS Threat: Sewage pollution, dam Glacier National Park. In 2010, Montana construction America’s Most Endangered Rivers Senators Baucus and Tester, Governor Within days of our naming the Schweitzer, American Rivers and our GREAT LAKES Susquehanna an endangered river, the conservation partners convinced the U.S. EPA dropped its proposal that would Wolf River: Wisconsin (1997-1998) government of British Columbia to save have allowed the dumping of partially the river by moving to ban mining and Threat: Proposed zinc/copper treated sewage into the Susquehanna oil and gas drilling in the North Fork sulfide mine and other rivers. The U.S. Army Corps watershed. A zinc and copper sulfide mine would of Engineers also denied the permit to Other victories in the Rockies include have dumped 44 million tons of waste construct an inflatable dam on the river. saving the Blackfoot River (listed 1998) into the Wolf River, threatening fish and National Office: and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone wildlife and the sacred lands of four SOUTHEAST 1101 14th Street, NW 25 River (listed 1994-1996) from mining. native tribes. In 2003, two tribes bought Suite 1400 the site, killing the mine proposal and Big SunflowerR iver: Mississippi Washington, DC 20005 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS ensuring the area will be forever (2002-2004) SOUTHWEST Phone: (202) 347-7550 Through the Most Endangered Rivers report, for 25 years protected to support clean water, Threat: Wetlands destruction and Toll-free: (877) 347-7550 Neches River: Texas (2007) tourism jobs, and tribal culture. river dredging www.AmericanRivers.org American Rivers has been the national watchdog raising the Threat: Proposed dam projects For almost 70 years, the U.S. Army TM alarm on imperiled rivers and energizing grassroots support NORTHEAST Corps of Engineers tried to push through Regional Offices: The Neches River was threatened by a plan to drain more than 200,000 acres California America’s Most Endangered Rivers to stop threats such as dam proposals, mining operations, a proposed reservoir that would have Penobscot River: Maine (1989-1996) of wetlands in northwestern Mississippi Great Lakes coal-fired generators, and massive dumping of raw sewage. flooded 40 miles of the river and Threat: Dams to enhance production of subsidized Mid-Atlantic thousands of acres of hardwood forest crops. American Rivers played a lead Working with local partners, the media, elected officials, and In 2004, American Rivers helped block Midwest in a National Wildlife Refuge. Ultimately, role in convincing the U.S. EPA to kill the construction of new dams on the Northeast concerned citizens, we have achieved spectacular successes the U.S. Supreme Court stopped efforts the proposal, ensuring the river and its Penobscot and spur a landmark agree- Northwest to build the reservoir, saving the river wetlands will continue to provide natural for the nation’s rivers — and the people, fish, and wildlife that ment to remove two dams and improve Northern Rockies and its priceless fish and wildlife habitat flood protection benefits and critical operations on a third — a project that will Southeast depend on them. for future generations. wildlife habitat. restore more than 1,000 miles of river. Elsewhere in the Southwest, the We also played an instrumental role in Other success stories in the Southeast Here are just a few examples from 25 years of success: reliability of water flows has begun to securing $10 million in federal funding include saving Georgia’s Altamaha About American Rivers: improve in New Mexico’s Santa Fe River for these dam removals. River (listed 2002) from an unnecessary (listed 2007) and in the Guadalupe River dam and reservoir, and protecting the American Rivers is the leading conservation organization NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA (listed 2002) in Texas. Our advocacy fighting for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. Progress has been made to curtail Tennessee River (listed 2004) from Elwha River: Washington (1992, 1995) Klamath River: (1987-1990; 2002-2003) also helped save McCrystal Creek excessive groundwater pumping and sewage pollution. American Rivers protects and restores the nation’s rivers (listed 2005) in New Mexico from for the benefit of people, wildlife, and nature. Founded in Threats: Two dams Threats: Dams, water withdrawal for coalbed methane drilling and other 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and Two outdated dams have blocked the irrigation, and pollution harmful development. supporters, with offices in Washington, DC and nationwide. Elwha River near Olympic National Park In 2010, after years of negotiations, While we celebrate these successes, American Rivers for nearly 100 years, decimating the American Rivers signed historic agree- MIDWEST Take action at AmericanRivers.org salmon runs. Our advocacy helped ments to remove four dams on the continues to monitor these rivers—and all rivers nationwide America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: spur the decision to remove the dams. Klamath River, in what will result in the Minnesota River: South Dakota and 2010 Edition Sponsor Klamath River, CA Tupper Blake/USFWS Deconstruction is on schedule to begin world’s biggest river restoration project. America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: 2010 Edition is made Minnesota (2008) —to ensure that victories are upheld and to safeguard in 2011 and will restore more than 70 The agreements will restore access to possible with generous funding from the Margaret T. Biddle 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS miles of river, from mountains to sea. more than 350 miles of salmon habitat, Threat: Proposed coal-fired power plant Foundation. against new threats. The 2010 list of endangered rivers resolve decades-long disputes over Other important victories in the A coal-fired power plant would have American Rivers would like to thank Bert and Barbara Cohn for their water in the basin, and provide greater provides a snapshot of today’s most critical threats to rivers Northwest include the protection of sent more pollution into the air, and long-time support of this campaign. economic security for fishing, tribal, endangered the Minnesota River with throughout the nation, from harmful gas drilling to outdated the Columbia River’s Hanford Reach and agricultural communities. excessive water withdrawals and (listed 1998) as a National Monument mercury pollution. In 2009, the U.S. flood management to construction of new dams. With the and the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers Also in California, a proposal for a new EPA said the proposal did not meet Printed on paper that contains (listed 1990-1993) in Alaska and British road that threatened San Mateo Creek federal air quality requirements — help of our activists and supporters across the country, we 30% post-consumer recycled fiber Columbia, which prevented potentially (listed 2007) and the famous Trestles effectively killing the plant. devastating copper mining. surf break was defeated, as was the will continue to protect these endangered rivers. Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX DESIGN: Levine & Associates, Washington, DC pipeline that threatened the Tuolumne
www.levinedc.com River (listed 2005). 25 Elwha River, WA J. Poth