Mississippi River On Most Endangered List

A national river conservation organization says the Mississippi River is one of "America`s Most Endangered Rivers of 2004." American Rivers lists the Mississippi as one of ten most endangered rivers based on the size of threats to the rivers, upcoming decisions that will affect those threats and the significance of the rivers. This is the eighth time the Mississippi has been listed in American River`s annual report. Kelly Miller is associate director of water resources for the organization. She says a major factor in including the Mississippi River this year is the long-term decisions that will be made on projects and policies when Congress considers the Water Resources Development Act this spring. The act sets policy and authorizes money for the Army Corps of Engineers to build new projects, several of which involve the Mississippi River and coastal restoration in Louisiana. Problems facing the river include flood control levees that alter the river`s ecosystem and contribute to the loss of Louisiana wetlands. Other problems include pollution that eventually drains to the Gulf and helps form the dead zone -- an area of low oxygen that forms in the summer off the Louisiana coast. The other rivers listed are the Colorado River, Big Sunflower River in Mississippi, Snake River in Idaho, Tennessee River, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in Pennsylvania, Spokane River in Washington, Housatonic River in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Peace River in Florida and Big Darby Creek in Ohio.