Congresswoman takes action after
Mississippi tops endangered rivers list

Congresswoman takes action after Mississippi tops endangered rivers list
By Tim Spitzack | Editor | June 2025

Just days after the Mississippi River topped this year’s “America’s Most Endangered Rivers” list in April, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) reintroduced a bill in Congress to help protect and preserve the river for future generations. The bill states that the Mississippi is in a severe state of ecological decline, and it aims to provide grants and other funding for community-driven projects to reduce flood risk by restoring floodplains, riverine wetlands, delta and coastal wetlands, and backwaters; improve drinking water quality by reducing polluted runoff; protect and restore wildlife habitat; and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

McCollum first introduced the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative Act (H.R. 2977) two years ago, but it failed to receive a vote. Now, with the river’s notorious designation, she is focused on building a bipartisan coalition to support it.

“I grew up along the Mississippi River in South St. Paul, where I learned to cherish this world-class waterway,” said McCollum in a statement. “The river was a vital channel for commerce then, and it still is today. But back then, nobody cared for the Mississippi – and the quality of the water suffered, as did the ecosystem that relies on it. Thanks to those who stepped up to protect it, the Mississippi River remains a working river for the wildlife, families, recreationists and businesses that depend on it.”

The Mississippi made the “America’s Most Endangered Rivers” list primarily for the threat of intensified flooding and fear of reduced federal support to manage those events. First created by the conservation group American Rivers in 1984, the report annually highlights 10 rivers that face a dramatic threat in the coming year. Rivers are selected on three criteria: the river faces a major challenge that the public can help change in the coming year; the significance of the river to people and wildlife; and the magnitude of the threat to the river and its communities. The other rivers on the list are the Tijuana in California, rivers of Southern Appalachia (in North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia), Passaic River in New Jersey and New York, Lower Rio Grande in Texas, Rappahannock River in Virgina, Clearwater River Basin in Idaho, Susitna River in Alaska, the Calcasieu River in Louisiana and Gauley River in West Virginia.

According to the report, flooding is the most costly and common natural disaster in the United States, damaging homes, businesses and agriculture, and posing an ongoing threat to public safety and clean water. It states that major floods along the Mississippi have increased in frequency and intensity, with recent floods breaking records for both size and duration. For example, the 2019 flood lasted more than 100 days and claimed a dozen lives. The cost to the United States from that flood was an estimated $20 billion. Floods also pose a risk to drinking water supplies, harm native plants and animals, and have other ecological impacts, such as sewage spills from damaged wastewater treatment plants located in the floodplain. The loss of natural wetlands due to development has also led to more severe flooding. The Great Flood of 1993 along the Mississippi is considered the most costly and devastating flood in modern U.S. history, claiming 48 lives and costing $30.2 billion.

Water quality
Many communities in the Twin Cities use water from the Mississippi for drinking water. When treated by municipal plants, it is safe. However, untreated it poses a health risk due to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other pollutants. In April, the Minnesota Department of Health updated its fish consumption guidelines due to PFAS found in fish from some waterbodies in 10 Minnesota counties, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington. The guidelines apply to all species in the Mississippi River in the St. Paul area. Women who are or may become pregnant, are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, and children under age 15 should not eat fish from the Mississippi. All others should limit fish consumption from the river to one serving a month. The maximum number of servings recommended for other waterbodies varies by location and fish species. To view the guidelines, visit health.state.mn.us and search “fish consumption.”

Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency established the first-ever nationwide drinking water standard for PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” which are prevalent in the Mississippi and are dangerous to human health. The new rule requires that water treatment providers monitor these chemicals to ensure that they don’t exceed a level of 4 parts per trillion, and to take corrective action if they do. Close to home, South St. Paul is forced to address the issue. It was estimated that seven of the city’s eight municipal wells fail to meet the new federal standards. Thus, the City is working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on a $1.2 million plan to monitor the wells and create a corrective action plan by 2027. Despite the high levels of PFAS, there is no need for South St. Paul residents to seek an alternative water source or boil water. Exposure to certain PFAS over a long period of time can cause cancer and other illnesses, and exposure during pregnancy or early childhood can result in adverse health effects. For more information on PFAS, visit epa.gov and search “PFAS.”

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