FMR statement on the endangered Mississippi river gorge (2018)

FMR Position Statement 2018

Re: American Rivers’ designation of the Mississippi River Gorge as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® 2018

Since the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam in 2015, a new and promising vision has emerged for the Mississippi River’s only gorge: to remove the dams and bring back a free-flowing river with eight miles of swift and tumbling rapids from St. Anthony Falls to the Minnesota River confluence.

The gorge today is an urban sanctuary for many species of fish, birds and wildlife, but restoring the rapids could lead to dramatic improvement for the ecological health and diversity of the riverine system, expanded public parkland and floodplain habitat, new recreational opportunities, and potential long-term cost savings for U.S. taxpayers.

FMR is excited about this new opportunity to reimagine the gorge with dams removed and rapids tumbling. We are eager to engage in a thoughtful, science-based exploration and broad community discussion about the possibility of this new vision.

No doubt, such an undertaking would be enormous, involving myriad stakeholders over many years. And many questions must be addressed, including, among others: Will potential benefits outweigh the costs? Who will pay for this, and would it serve our community’s need for the equitable use of resources? Could there be negative environmental impacts like the upstream advancement of invasive carp or the release of polluted sediment from the river bottom?

This decision-making process will be complex and could take a decade or longer, allowing ample time to collaboratively and deliberately seek the answers to these and other questions.

“FMR strongly supports a robust and extensive exploration process with plenty of time for community members and other stakeholders to collaboratively raise questions, look at alternatives, examine evidence and seek solutions,” says Whitney Clark, FMR executive director.