Summary - Selection 24

Restoring Rivers by Margaret A. Palmer and J. David Allen

"Life on Earth is utterly dependent on water. Life on land requires clean, fresh water." Unfortunately, there are still many water problems that are to the point of river "extinction." A major fact in this article was that at least 1/3 of rivers in the United States are "impaired or polluted." Above human influence, natural disasters also are contributing to degradation of river and water systems which in turn affect marine, plant, and animal life. People need to come together for a common goal, as the tendency for humankind has been to reside near water. Our appreciation for the support from waterways has been to pollute and dump our junk into them. Other alterations such as dams and highways have also been major contributors to the damage we've done, and in many cases degradation has become irreversible.

Solutions have been to plant riparian buffers and enforcing storm water programs for reduction of pollutant discharge. Like many ecological programs, people and the government harmonize in some way. Joint efforts are always the driving force for change. Unfortunately, billions of dollars have been spent on river and stream restoration, but because there are no policies to support effective restoration, the efforts made are failing from poor planning and implementation. There needs to be national standards with the proper tools and information for each project so that money does not go to waste. Sites need detailed monitoring and better coordination, and in doing so benefits such as flood control, protection of infrastructure, maintenance of water quality, jobs, and lowering of taxes. Without fresh water, we cannot survive nor can we take it for granted. Combined efforts from scientists, environmental groups, and individuals are needed for the U.S. to restore and protect the waterways of America.