|
Directories Int'l Realty US Realty
|
 |
The Twenty Most Polluted Rivers Identified Stuart Lieberman, Esq., The conservation group American Rivers has released its annual list of the twenty most endangered rivers in the United States. Number 1 on the list is the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, located in Washington State. It is contaminated with nuclear waste contamination and pollutants from agricultural development.
According to the group, the other endangered rivers are: Missouri River (North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri) Six of the 20 rivers were contaminated, at least in part, from mining activities. See IRED.com article entitled National Organization Protests Federal Cutbacks for Mine Closures April 26, 1998. They are the Blackfoot, Pinto Creek, Wolf, Rogue, Taku and Crooked. The Hanford, Pocomoke, Apple, Potomac, Walla Walla and Kansas Rivers were contaminated, at least in part, from agriculture-related pollutants. This may include pesticide, fertilizer and manure runoff that follows heavy rains as well as pollutants that are legally discharged from agriculture plants, such as slaughter houses. Development has also affected several of the rivers. This includes runoff from lawns and streets as well as discharges from sewage systems. Many street storm drains discharge directly into water bodies such as rivers.
The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.
|
