April 17-- American Rivers just released its annual "America's Most Endangered Rivers" report. This 2013 list features 10 rivers around the country facing urgent threats. Grassroots river conservationists have teamed up with American Rivers to use the report to save their local rivers.
American Rivers reviews nominations for the report from river groups and concerned U.S. citizens. It then selects rivers based on the following criteria: the river's significance to human and natural communities; a major decision (that the public can influence) in the coming year on the proposed action; the threat's size against the river and associated communities. The report also offers 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.
Below are the top ten most endangered rivers that made it to American Rivers list.
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The Colorado River; Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming
Threat: Outdated water management |
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Flint River; Georgia
Threat: Outdated water management |
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San Saba River; Texas
Threat: Outdated water management |
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Little Plover River; Wisconsin
Threat: Outdated water management |
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Catawba River; North Carolina and South Carolina
Threat: Coal ash pollution |
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Boundary Waters; Minnesota
Threat: Copper and nickel mining |
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Black Warrior River; Alabama
Threat: Coal mining |
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Rough & Ready and Baldface Creeks; Oregon
Threat: Nickel mining |
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Kootenai River; British Columbia, Montana, and Idaho
Threat: Open-pit coal mining |
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Niobrara River; Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming Threat: Improper sediment management At risk: Sustainability of community, economy, and river environment |
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Special Mention: Merced River; California
Threat: Cutting Wild & Scenic River protections |