Recreation and the 

River

Past

Present

Future
The rivers used to have a natural pulse and late summer drawdown. 

The rivers used to have the ability to meander into their floodplains, in times of highwater.

They used to enjoy being clean and less full of sediment and toxins. 

The Illinois River used to provide over 2,000 fishing jobs. That number is now less than 2 dozen.

The Clean Water Act was introduced 30 years ago to ensure our nation would have swimmable and fishable waters by 1985. This has yet to occur.

 

 $6.6 BILLION is annually reaped from the 12,000,000 visitor-days of use by people that fish, hunt, boat, sightsee, and otherwise visit the river, its ensuing ecosystems, and the surrounding communities.

Tourism and Recreation around the Upper Mississippi River employ 143,000 people.

The Mississippi is a migratory flyway for 40% of all North American Waterfowl.

 The recent conclusions by scientists that the Mississippi is slowly losing its capacity to support many species of wildlife demonstrates the need for taking special care in decisions affecting the future of the river.  Unfortunately, that care has not yet been taken.

Illinois has issued a statewide methyl mercury advisory: The FDA advises pregnant women, women of child-bearing age, and children NOT to eat certain types of predator species, and to reduce consumption of other types. For more information, go to: http://dnr.state.il.us/fish/fishadvisoryfactsheet2002.htm

 

 While it is not feasible to hint at returning the rivers to a pre-settlement state, it is possible to reverse some of the abuse that we are seeing.

By allowing the rivers to somewhat mimic the natural river processes, we will see an increase in wetland habitat and a variability in backwater habitats and their species.

Recreational opportunities - and economic expansion associated with these - will significantly increase. 

By cleaning up the river, in terms of less nutrient loads and toxic loads including herbicides and pesticides, the ecosystem and its species will be healthier. Species of all types benefit, including humans.

Healthier fish and fowl populations equal happier fishermen and hunters and more inviting waters for boaters and swimmers.