Endangered Birds Win Right to Keep Homes on Missouri River

Posted: 12-Jul-2002; Updated: 30-Jul-2002

In a victory for two endangered bird species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has blocked the Army Corps of Engineers from relocating least terns (shown in photo) and piping plovers that nest on Missouri River sandbars. The Corps had hoped to move the birds so it could release more water from dams to aid the handful of barges that ply the river's waters in summer. The river is now at a very low ebb due to drought.

"This is a welcome step forward for protecting endangered species on the Missouri River," said Environmental Defense restoration specialist Scott Faber, who is working to protect species threatened by the Army Corps' actions on the Missouri. "There is very little barge traffic all year long and virtually none in July and August. This move will have little effect on shipping crops to market, but it will significantly enhance the preservation of the terns and plovers."

Find out more

	The New York Times article Federal Ruling Puts Shorebirds Ahead of Barges on Missouri"
	Read the Corps news release

Learn more about our efforts to reform Missouri River dam operations to aid endangered wildlife

	New report: Read about the benefits of Missouri River dam reforms for power consumers
	Get the facts
	Myth or Fact?
	Letter to Secretary Bruce Babbitt and others of intent to sue (March 2000)
	Read more on what we are doing about Army Corps Reform and Watershed Protection and Restoration