And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 23:00:40 EST
Babbitt urged to reform Colorado River plan
Tuesday, March 16, 1999
Conservation groups argue that the lower Colorado River is at risk from
hydropower projects and water diversions such as those at New Waddell
Dam. In commemoration of International Day of Action Against Dams for
Rivers, Water and Life, a coalition of nine national and regional groups
Sunday urged Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt to take a new
approach to the existing Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation
Plan.
The group, led by Defenders of Wildlife and the Southwest Center for
Biological Diversity, claims that the current federal management plan
for the river is neglecting wildlife and habitat that depend on the
river system.
"Magnificent species of endangered wildlife such as the vaquita
porpoise, vast flocks of migratory birds, and rare and unique fish
depend on the water in the lower Colorado River and delta," Rodger
Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife, said in a statement.
"This area is a treasure for wildlife, and activities that take place
here should be carefully re-examined with an objective scientific eye."
Defenders of Wildlife, American Rivers, Pacific Institute, Sierra Club,
Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Law Foundation,
Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the
National Wildlife Federation all signed a letter to Babbitt arguing that
the lower Colorado River is at risk from hydropower projects and water
diversions that have been put into place to serve growing populations
and agribusiness in the southwest. The groups say that in allowing these
projects, the MSCP currently being developed by the Department of the
Interior and the states of California, Arizona and Nevada neglects to
consider scientific conservation principles.
"The people of Mexico are very concerned about the environmental impacts
of this process on the delta, and it's important that their voices be
heard," said Peggy J. Turk-Boyer from International Cultural Center for
the Study of Deserts and Oceans.
The coalition urges significant reforms in the current MSCP process and
asks that a balanced and scientifically sound program be initiated that
will conserve the Colorado River ecosystem.
"Until Colorado River restoration is approached with regard to the
entire ecosystem using the best available science, the delta and its
wildlife will continue to suffer," said Rebecca Wodder, president of
American Rivers, a national river conservation organization that has
listed the delta among America's most endangered rivers.
For more information, contact Jesal Mehta, Defenders of Wildlife,
(202)682-9400, ext. 284.
Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related stories:
�Increased federal spending urged for rivers
�Hanford Reach tops endangered rivers list
�Babbitt discusses role as 'River Master'
�Let rivers go with the natural flow
�Dams and rivers: Scientists take a new look downstream
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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