Protecting Southern Rivers
The South has more types of rivers - and more miles of river - than any other region in the United States. These water resources are vital to supporting people and the environment. Some of the our largest rivers - the James, Chattahoochee, Tennessee and others - supply the South's metropolitan areas with drinking water. In addition, our rivers and streams offer premier opportunities for fishing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, and other recreation.
©Craig Tanner
But southern rivers are severely threatened. In addition to their natural functions, they are used for industry, agriculture, development and construction, mining, forestry, and waste disposal. In fact, The Nature Conservancy, which identifies the "hot spot" watersheds most at risk in the U.S., finds a high concentration of threatened watersheds in the Southeast. SELC works with dozens of groups throughout the South to protect our streams and rivers. These groups bring an intimate knowledge of their local resources and of the threats that face them. SELC brings legal knowledge, policy acumen, and a regional vision of protection choices to the process. Coupled with our strategic and targeted work to improve the outcomes of site-specific water quality protection issues around our region, SELC's efforts create important and lasting results.
