CURRENT ACTION ALERTS – SIGN THESE TWO PETITIONS:
No More ‘Dead Zone’ – Fully Fund Proven Solutions to Reduce Nutrient Pollution
Nutrient pollution in the Mississippi River Basin negatively impacts drinking water for over 20 million people and is fueling the annual Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic ‘Dead Zone’. Record flooding in 2019 has exacerbated the problem and this year’s Gulf Hypoxic Zone is forecasted to be one of the largest on record at around 7,829 square miles (equivalent in size to the total landmass of Massachusetts!).
This problem has knowingly been going on for decades and improvement goals aren’t being met. Fortunately, solutions in agricultural conservation and management, ecosystem restoration, and improved infrastructure exist but are NOT receiving necessary funding from Congress for implementation on the scale that is required for clean water and a healthy Mississippi River. Take action for the River today by signing this petition!
Expand the Use of Natural Infrastructure on the Mississippi River!
Natural Infrastructure refers to the system of floodplains and wetlands that are part of a healthy functioning river system. A growing number of communities, cities, and states are embracing Natural Infrastructure because of the multiple benefits they can provide, including:
- Giving the River room to flood and acting as ‘safety valves’ by holding water and taking pressure off the levee system
- Reducing risks from floods and costs for damage and repair
- Cleaning the water– natural infrastructure can help filter excess nutrients that are impacting drinking water for communities along the River and fueling the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
- In addition to flood control benefits, natural infrastructure like floodplains and wetlands provide critical habitat for Mississippi River wildlife and sites for recreational opportunities
Urge Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand the use of Natural Infrastructure in flood policy and planning in the Mississippi River System by signing this online petition.
Past Action Alerts and Petitions:
Ask your Representative to Become a River Citizen
As River Citizens, Congressional leaders can apply River Citizen knowledge and principals to the many avenues open to them to transform national River policy.
Take one minute to SEND THEM AN EMAIL RIGHT NOW!
Ask your mayor to be a River Citizen
Devoted people, active organizations and informed local leaders—they’re all needed to make a difference in our world. Encourage River mayors to join the 1 Mississippi campaign as River Citizens.
Help grow support of sound River policies TODAY!
Repel the Repeal – Protect Clean Water
The latest attack on clean water and our tributary streams and wetlands is underway. Your support is needed now.
Polluters and other opponents are pushing repeal of the 2015 Clean Water Rule as part of a huge assault on basic protections for clean water, including the Clean Water Act. They even are demanding that the federal government be required to ignore the economic benefits provided by wetlands.
Unfortunately, US EPA Chief Scott Pruitt has listened to polluters not the public and started the repeal process. Act now to repel that repeal.
Repeal is a massive waste of time and taxpayer money that will put the drinking water of 1 in 3 of us at risk while a much weaker rule is proposed.
They are rushing their repeal by restricting the opportunity for public comment. Act now to ensure your voice is heard by your decision makers. Click here to repel the repeal.
Act Now to Protect River Communities and Wildlife!
Recent flooding in Alton, Illinois. Photo Courtesy of Andrew Dobson
People and wildlife along the Mississippi River are being jeopardized by construction of enormous structures in the River that raise flood levels and destroy fish habitat.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has already constructed more than 1.5 miles of structures for each mile of the middle length of the Mississippi River.
Now, they are proposing to build even more.
Let the Army Corps know you want them to take a closer look at potential harm before the River is damaged. Click here to act now.
New Budget Cuts Again Attack Our Protections
Future generations along the Mississippi River will suffer if drastic cuts to conservation and environmental programs proposed in President Trump’s budget take place.
Sign this petition today to tell your US Senators and Representative that protecting the land, water, wildlife and people of America’s Greatest River is important to you and your family and friends. Many Members of Congress already have voiced their concerns about the President’s decimating cuts. Show your leaders that you want them to stand up for what’s important to you.
River Pollution Worsens, Action Needed Now
Photo courtesy of the US EPA
Tell your governor and other state and federal officials that “Decades of Delay” must end now by signing this petition.
“Decades of Delay: EPA Leadership Still Lacking in Protecting America’s Great River” is a report recently released by the Mississippi River Collaborative. It shows that federal and state officials have known of the growing severity of agricultural pollution for over 20 years, but have consistently delayed taking necessary corrective action. Instead, the Hypoxia Task Force and member states issued reports and plans with no timelines or funding for implementation. Not surprisingly, the problem has continued to grow. Can you imagine knowing of a serious problem and solutions for 20 years and not making visible progress toward stopping it??
Photo courtesy of the National Wildlife Federation
Protect Wetlands that Protect Us – Stop the New Madrid Levee Project
Major floods carry major amounts of water and it has to go somewhere. That is why the New Madrid Floodway was established – to allow wetlands to serve as a relief valve during large floods to protect River communities and soak up excess flood water. But these critical wetlands are in danger of being cut off from the River by a new levee.
Help us save these wetlands by stopping the
New Madrid Levee Project
Stop the Block! Remind Congress that You Support the Clean Water Rule!
Some in Congress continue trying to block the Clean Water Rule. Your Senators and Representative need to hear from you again that you support the Clean Water Rule and oppose legislative and budgetary roadblocks that would prevent it from protecting our streams and wetlands.
The US EPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers diligently worked through the federal government’s normal rule-making process (click here for more information on the Clean Water Act), to release a clarifying rule that received over 800,000 comments of support, hundreds of which came from River Citizens like us.
We need to stand together against legislative or budgetary roadblocks that would prevent the Clean Water Rule from going into effect.
Unfortunately, some members of Congress continue to stop the EPA and Army Corps from doing their job and attempting to kill the Rule. We need your help again to remind Congress that you support the Clean Water Rule.
It’s easy to send a letter to your Senators and Representative showing your support for the Clean Water Rule, just enter your zipcode here.
Thank you for all you do in support of clean water and a healthier Mississippi River!
Reauthorize
the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
LWCF is one of the most important conservation programs we have to ensure national parks, trails and monuments, many on or near the Mississippi River, are here for future generations. This bipartisan legislation has lasted 50 years bit it will expire September 30 unless Congress reauthorizes this important conservation program.
Tell your US Representative and Senators that the LWCF is should be reauthorized.
Make sure you are signed up as a River Citizen!