 |
| Conservation Issues |
OHIO RIVER RESTORATION
The Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration program is a $200 million initiative designed to restore and protect river
wildlife along the main stem of the Ohio River. The measure, included in the Senate version of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 (WRDC2000) was strongly supported by the Ohio River delegation and Senators McConnell (R/KY)
and Voinovich (R/OH) were the main proponents. A companion amendment to the WRDA 2000 is being pushed in the House.
This is Great News for the Ohio River, and it's fish and wildlife, said Kelly Miller, American Rivers. "This
legislation will restore vital river habitat and give the river wildlife a fighting chance for survival".
The Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration Program would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore, protect
and enhance fish and wildlife habitat. The Corps has been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania to develop this program and have identified
over 300 possible projects. The restoration projects will create side channels, islands, sandbars, gravel spawning
substrate, bottomland hardwoods and floodplain wetlands to aid fish and wildlife species. While restoring vital
aquatic and floodplain habitat, this new program would not adversely affect the water related needs of the Ohio
River, including the flood control, navigation, recreation and enhancement of water supply.
Other indirect benefits of improved habitat are increased recreational opportunities such as fishing and hunting,
increased tourism, and improve water quality, "This program, and other 'big river' environmental programs
such as those on the lower Missouri and Upper Mississippi rivers, addresses a serious global problem-habitat loss,"
said Scott Faber, American Rivers.
Construction of dams on the Ohio River over the last century has submerged spawning habitat and undermined the
health of floodplain forests and wetlands. Side channels, backwaters and islands-critical nurseries for river wildlife-were
lost. "As we approach the bicentennial of Lewis and Clarks Voyage of Discovery, Americans are rediscovering
the rivers they traveled, including the Ohio River, and it affords us a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to restore
and revitalize the Ohio River" said Miller. "This is a big step forward in helping us work together to
ensure the long-term health of a river so important to American history and our future."
Supporters of the Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration program are continuing efforts to ensure that the project is
included in the House version of the WRDA 2000.
Source: American River Press Release, 6/29/00 |
|
|
|
