HELP RESTORE AMERICA'S RIVER: THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI
Meeting in St. Louis March 13, 2002
America's greatest river is in crisis. The river that gave birth to such American literary icons as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, is part of our national heritage - and one we look to pass on to the generations that follow. Unfortunately, threats to the river may ultimately take away the vitality of this great ecosystem. These threats include: water pollution that threaten fish and plants, and therefore bird species that rely on these fish and plants; invasive species that out-compete and endanger native fish, animal and plants; and mismanagement of water resources - valuing navigation and flood control above all else - to the detriment of this vital river ecosystem.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency responsible for maintaining America's waterways- was forced to suspend it's ten-year, $50 million study of Mississippi River construction projects, due to serious flaws with the agency's economic and environmental analyses. Pressure from environmental and taxpayer groups led the Corps to resume a new plan; one that should be far less costly to taxpayers, include input from conservation organizations and interested citizens, and would take into consideration the special needs of such a delicate river ecosystem - such as the importance of backwaters as vital habitat that functions as a natural sieve to sift out contaminates before reaching the main channel.
The overall plan will be comprehensive in scope, and include provisions affecting three very different competing aspects. First, flood control - which will provide more protection for the riverfront communities that have long realized the benefit of a healthy river. Second, navigation - which will ensure barge traffic continues to carry goods up and down the length of our country, from New Orleans to Minneapolis, necessary for the nation's economic strength. And third, ecosystem needs - which will guarantee the river is clean, healthy and thrives - so that people have a place for recreational activities, and birds, fish and wildlife have a place to find abundant food and habitat to live and rear their young.
Flood control and navigation have long been given priority status over the ecosystem of the Upper Mississippi; it's time that the natural environment be given equal consideration and resources!
As one of the largest migratory flyways in the United States, this historic river is fundamental to the survival of birds, such as the Bald Eagle, raptors and many Neotropical migratory birds. That's why Audubon is weighing in on the Corps study. Audubon believes birds, fish and wildlife deserve the same consideration in the new plan as the barge industry and flood plain control. The Army Corps has in the past, virtually ignored the needs of birds, fish and wildlife - we must make sure that does not happen now!
These challenges can be overcome - but only with your help. And helping is easy - whether you live along the River or hundreds of miles away! And you don't have to be an expert to help - all you have to do is care. And as it's your tax dollars that will fund this project - whether you live on the River or not - we hope you'll help, as your opinion will carry weight and achieve results. Here are some of the ways you can help:
First, send a message to Lt. General Flowers, the Commander and Chief of Engineers for the Army Corps, urging him to include provisions to establish a strong ecosystem restoration component in the plan. To receive your free postcards to General Flowers, just call us at 1-800-659-2622! Or, send an e-mail via our website -- go to www.audubon.org, click on Conservation and Action, and then hit "Take Action".
Become informed. Send us an email at jmeschievitz@audubon.org or dmcguiness@audubon.org or call Jessie Meschievitz or Dan McGuiness at the Campaign office at (651) 290-1695. Ask for the Navigation Study Fact Pack. Also, subscribe, free of charge, to our Audubon Advisory - to learn about conservation legislation, late-breaking action, and how to communicate with your legislators. To subscribe to Audubon Advisory simply e-mail your name, address, city, state and zip to audubonaction@audubon.org or leave the information on our toll free message line 800/659-2622.
Become involved. Sign on as a grassroots supporter of a healthy river by contacting your Audubon Grassroots Coordinator for Missouri, Desiree Groves at (202) 861-2242 or dgroves@audubon.org. Tell them you are interested specifically in tracking the Upper Mississippi River Navigation Study. Once we have your contact information we will keep you informed of new developments, upcoming public meetings, and what, specifically, you can do to help win this campaign.
And if you live anywhere near the river, we hope you will attend one of five public meetings the Corps will host during March to gauge public opinion on improving the River. This is a great chance for you to urge the Corps in person to include ecosystem restoration as a key component of their comprehensive management plan for the Upper Mississippi River. The locations and dates are shown below.
DATE / LOCATION
March 12, 2002 / Peoria, ILThe meeting will be held in St. Louis, MO at the Marriott Airport (10700 Pear Tree Lane 314-423-9700) on March 13, 2002. The format will be:
For more information on the Mississippi River see Audubon's Upper Mississippi River Campaign.