River improvements come at cost to wildlife

Article Abstract:

A report by the Washington-based American Rivers environmental group has found that man-made alterations to US rivers to make them more useful are driving a rich variety of river creatures toward extinction. The report included 10 rivers where fish, mussels, crawfish and other aquatic species are threatened. Changes that are making rivers hostile to native aquatic life include dams, which prevent fish from swimming upstream to native spawning grounds; artificial channels which cannot support native species; and erosion-preventing riprap, which crowd out trees whose leaves and fallen branches are critical to aquatic food chains.

Natural resources, Endangered Species-State, Endangered species

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House likely to pass sprawling conservation bill

Article Abstract:

The House of Representative is expected to approve the $39 billion Conservation and Reinvestment Act. The Act will authorize the spending of $3 billion on environmental projects mostly by state and local governments up to the year 2015. Most of the funding, about $1 billion a year, is allocated for coastal program. Approval of the bill in the Senate is likely to be more difficult due to budget concerns and opposition from Senators who strongly advocate private-property rights.

Government domestic functions, Resource Conservation & Development

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EPA moves to block lawsuit over mercury

Article Abstract:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, to dismiss an industry lawsuit that seeks to challenge the EPA's authority to order a reduction in mercury from powerplant smokestacks. Mercury emitted can settle in lakes and oceans, where a toxic form may accumulate in fish. Pregnant women who eat fish with toxic mercury could give birth to as many as 60,000 babies each year with developmental damage.

Government regulation, Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Mercury, Mercury (Metal)

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