The future of America's longest
and most historically significant river is up
for debate. The Missouri, which runs through
11 states, will be the focus of a six-month public
debate starting at the end of August, held by
the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps,
which controls the six major dams along the river,
will listen to proposals about changing the river's
flow.
Controlled
by huge dams, the Missouri's flow remains stable
all year round. Natural rivers usually experience
seasonal fluctuations in water levels, allowing
for different types of flora and fauna to live
and grow either in or around the water. The US
Fish and Wildlife Service believes the fact that
the Missouri does not experience natural fluctuations
explains why three native Missouri river species
are close to extinction.
Scientists have called for the Army Corps to change
the flows from the dams, releasing more water in
the spring and holding some back in the summer.
Not only would this prevent the extinction of the
pallid sturgeon, tern and piping plover; but it
would also improve general river conditions, making
the Missouri a more attractive tourist and recreational
destination.
"Reforming dam operations on the Missouri
River is as much about people as it is about fish
and wildlife," said Rebecca Wodder, President
of American Rivers Organization. "River species,
recreation, floodplain farming, hydropower, and
all other uses of the Missouri River can coexist
if we choose to let them."
American Rivers,
a river conservation organization founded in
1973, named the Missouri 'Most Endangered
River' in April 2001. "The question before
us is, do we want a river we can be proud of for
the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's Voyage?" asks
Wodder. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were
appointed by Thomas Jefferson to explore the Missouri
River in 1803, and first mapped the river and its
surrounding regions.
Despite the opening of debate over the future
of the Missouri, conservation groups are worried
the Army Corps is hesitant to change dam operations.
Conservation groups allege that the Army Corps
have delayed the release of documents containing
official data for public review. Hearings have
also been scheduled in areas with vested shipping
interests, yet not in areas which rely more on
recreation.
Wodder points out
that the 'status quo' of river control has been
maintained since 1960 due to a "handful
of special interests." In order for the status
quo to be broken, and the Missouri to be restored
to its former glory, the public needs to get involved,
she said.
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