Washington, D.C. — Each year, American Rivers identifies 10 rivers facing urgent threats and critical decisions.
This year, American Rivers stresses that the list highlights the dangers Trump Administration budget cuts pose to rivers and communities nationwide.
“This is a critical year for rivers and clean water,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.
“Water is one of the most crucial conservation issues of our time.
The rivers Americans depend on for drinking water, jobs, food, and quality of life are under attack from the Trump administration’s rollbacks and proposed budget cuts.” “Americans must speak up and let their elected officials know that healthy rivers are essential to our families, our communities and our future.
Atop the list, the Lower Colorado is America’s most endangered river, the organization reports.
One-third of the nation’s Latinos live in the Colorado River Basin.
The significance of the river to the faith, livelihood and future of Latino farm-working families is showcased in the new film Milk and Honey, produced by American Rivers and the Hispanic Access Foundation.
#1: Lower Colorado River (Arizona, California, Nevada) Threat: Water scarcity and demand.
#2: Bear River (California) Threat: New Dam #3: South Fork Skykomish (Washington) Threat: New hydropower project #4: Mobile Bay Rivers (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi) Threat: Poor water management #5: Rappahannock River (Virginia) Threat: Fracking #6: Green-Toutle River (Washington) Threat: New mine #7: Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers (North Carolina) Threat: Pollution from hog and chicken farms #8: Middle Fork Flathead River (Montana) Threat: Oil transport by rail #9: Buffalo National River (Arkansas) Threat: Pollution from massive hog farm #10: Menominee River (Michigan, Wisconsin) Threat: Open pit sulfide mining Read in-depth stories and reporting about these rivers and other conservation battles on C&K: —Riding a flash flood to the heart of the Little Colorado