America's Most Endangered Rivers - (Page 14) NUMBER 3 NUMBER 4 CACHE RIVER LA POUDRE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER NEW YORK, CANADA COLORADO THREAT: O U T D AT E D D A M M A N A G E M E N T P L A N The St. Lawrence River provides drinking water, scenic beauty, recreation and economic opportunities for millions of people in the United States and Canada. But an outdated management plan created half a century ago has harmed the river’s health and is threatening its lucrative tourism and recreation economy, and quality of life. For the first time in 50 years the management plan is up for revision. The International Joint Commission, an independent, bi-national organization established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, must choose a plan that will restore the river’s health and benefit its many communities. THREAT: WAT E R D I V E R SION AND RESERVOIR PROJECT Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River, the Cache la Poudre River, or “Poudre,” is the lifeblood of the cities and farms it serves. But its future is threatened by a water diversion scheme that would stretch the river beyond its limits in order to quench future development elsewhere. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must deny this flawed proposal, and ask involved Colorado cities and water districts to implement simple water conservation and efficiency measures instead. If they do not, communities, agricultural operations, and other businesses may no longer be able to enjoy the myriad benefits the Poudre River now offers. SAVETHEPOUDRE.ORG NUMBER 5 MINNESOTA RIVER S O U T H D A K O TA , M I N N E S O TA THREAT: P R O P O S E D C O A L -FIRED P O W E R P L A N T The Minnesota River is treasured by thousands of residents and visitors who swim, boat, fish and hunt in and along the river. But a proposed coal-fired power plant threatens the health of the river and nearby communities. In addition to spewing greenhouse gases and other toxins, cooling and scrubbing mechanisms within the plant would require billions of gallons of water every year. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission must deny the Certificate of Need and instead encourage the use of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy resources. 14 A M E R I C A’ S M O S T E N DA N G E R E D R I V E R S T M : 2 0 0 8 E D I T I O N | W W W. A M E R I C A N R I V E R S . O R G JOHN WARTMAN/FLICKR.COM SKYE MOREY HERITAGE http://www.americanrivers.org
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