Today, two leading Idaho environmental organizations, the Idaho Watershed Project (IWP) and the Idaho Sporting Congress (ISC) declared that there could be 10 to 20 times the number of polluted streams in the United States then originally thought. This was stated in comparison to past lists of polluted streams which have been officially reported by the EPA. Ron Mitchell, Director of the Idaho Sporting Congress (ISC) reported, "we may have as many as 400,000 streams which are not listed in the United States and can't be found on either the EPA database or the Center for Environmental Education and Information (CEEI) web site (www.apsrs.org)."
Mitchell felt that Idaho could have as many as 700 streams not reported based on the present Idaho 303(d) stream list and studies done by CEEI. Idaho currently lists 707 polluted named streams, but CEEI projects there could be a possible 14,000 polluted streams, if unnamed streams are included. A 303(d) stream list is generated by each state and submitted to Congress every two years. It contains the names of 21,309 streams that have met the EPA criteria for water pollution on a national level. A 303(d) stream can be defined as a stream in which fish can't reproduce and people shouldn't swim in. A 303d list fails to include unnamed water ways. The last survey taken on unnamed water ways was in 1992. Mitchell feels a new survey on these waterways is mandatory for the improvement of water quality.
One reason for a new survey as Mitchell pointed out road building frequently creates sediment build up that can interrupt continuously unnamed running streams. A unnamed polluted "3rd level stream" therefore could possibly escape listing in the state. In the past unnamed streams now affected by roads provided a place for fish to survive. Many of these destroyed streams have been habitat for young fish. Sediment caused by road building has blocked unnamed streams to where Salmon and Trout species have laid eggs in the past. Blocked unnamed streams increase the potential for lower populations of these habitat sensitive species. "We need a new survey to understand the magnitude of this better, in order to base solid national policy decisions. We need to know locally what the impact is as well as to better define these problems." Stated Mitchell.
In other concerns to destruction of diversion stream habitat; out west and other places herds of cattle can trample and destroy large areas of sensitive unnamed diversion stream habitat. Jon Marvel of IWP, with regard to this type of destruction served notice of intent in a law suit against Idaho Governor Kempthorne and some fifty ranchers along the East fork of the Salmon River. "I have walked cow trampled streams that have long since supported fish life. Salmon life is all about these unnamed stream habitats that are abused and trampled to death by cattle. The governor of Idaho could stop the destruction to these diversion streams and save the Salmon." said Marvel.
Even more recently a federal program was designed to address the current Salmon situation by "improving the streams." The program ignores the fact that roads can destroy these unnamed habitats. The salmon recovery program is not a strong program and is designed to show that the politicians are just doing something about the Salmon problem. However, it does very little to solve the species situation or improve water quality." Stated CEEI Director Max Casebeau. He added "just look at any USGS topographical map you can see how many unnamed streams there are. President Clinton recently ordered a THIRD of roads be closed on federal lands, but environmentalists fear President elect Bush will override the plan causing increased pollution and destruction to more streams in the United States.
Mitchell has examined the CEEI web
site where no reference was found to these unnamed streams. Many environmentalists
realize that these smaller unnamed streams are responsible for 80% of the
dirty runoff, high nutrient pollution, high water temperature, sediment
buildup, and increase pesticides and fertilizer runoff which is carried
off to larger rivers by these unnamed streams. The CEEI web site carries
the official 303d lists of all 50 states. <www.apsrs.org> In essence
this means of 21,309 streams that are now counted, there maybe as many as
400,000 to list because creeks, brooks, canals, and larger diversions are
unnamed." Ron Mitchel of the Idaho Sporting Congress and Jon Marvel
of the Idaho Watersheds Project and Max Casebeau of CEEI all agreed that
a new survey is required. "The last general survey was done in 1992
and needs to be updated as soon as possible."
SEVEN THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. Adopt a stream, and get to name an unnamed stream (CEEI will forward your request to the appropriate government agency. Check out www.epa.gov/adopt/).
2. Write a letter to your Representative or Senator at 3. DONATE MONEY. CEEI relies on programmers and environmental
people who donate their time. Send a check to PO Box 1778 Sun Valley Idaho
83353. Your donation is tax deductible you will get a letter to acknowledge
your donation to CEEI and a federal # to use.
4. VOLUNTEER your programming services, CEEI needs people
that care about the environment who can make up text pages, GIS maps write
press releases. Research the Clean Water Act in your state and win $1000
in CEEI's Contest (see page 1).
5. Create your own own school or college web site for your
state simply down load your states 303d list and start from there. Adopt
and name your own stream. Email your name info to CEEI attention: CEEI Director, ceei@cox-internet.com
6. Sell sponsorships in your state (example Idaho is $29
a month). 7. Enter the $1000
state assessment contest (see page 1 for details). Topographical maps to locate unnamed
streams " www.topozone.com CEEI Copyright (c) Jan 2001