非營利組織「美國河流協會（American Rivers）」2012年的年度報告中指出，流經美國首都的波托馬克河（Potomac River）是美國最瀕危的河川。
基於國會正考慮刪減保護國家水資源的預算，美國河流協會希望藉此提醒，波托馬克河排在該報告中的第一位，和全國其他河川一樣，面臨著天然氣開採、汙染和新建水壩等威脅。
今年是頒布「潔淨水資源法案（Clean Water Act）」的40週年，因此這份報告更顯得重要。
美國河流協會執行長Bob Irvin表示，「今年最瀕危河川名單主要在強調，對於我們的飲用水，衛生條件和經濟發展來說，乾淨的水資源是多麼地重要。」
美國河流協會指出，在1972年制定潔淨水資源法案之前，波托馬克河是個污水坑並充滿工業廢水。
美國河流協會表示，由於潔淨水資源法案，波托馬克河現在變得乾淨多了，可以安全飲用、從事划船與捕魚等活動。但在過去兩年，馬里蘭大學的調查報告仍給了波托馬克河水質D級的評鑑。
美國河流協會及其他倡導潔淨水資源的團體呼籲國會，禁止制定任何會削弱潔淨水資源法案效能的法規，或防止環保局和美國陸軍工程部覬覦那些因本法案保護而恢復的小溪流和濕地。
美國河流協會還呼籲歐巴馬政府明確落實潔淨水資源法案，並表示「確保所有水資源都得到充分的保護，是美國人民所期望，更是其應得的。」
美國河流協會宣布其國家河川清理工作（National River Cleanup）23日正式展開。在過去二十多年中，這項計劃已動員了數成千上萬的志工，從大小河川中清理出塑膠袋、舊輪胎與大型家電用品等物品。
現在，第27年的美國年度瀕危河川報告出爐，該報告內的河川正處在一個十字路口。多年來，該報告促成許多成果，包括移除超過使用年限的水壩、保護荒野既風景（Wild and Scenic）河流，並防止有害的發展和污染。
America's most endangered river is the Potomac, which flows through the capital of the United States, says the nonprofit organization American Rivers in its 2012 annual report.
The Potomac was placed at the top of American Rivers' annual list to alert the nation to the fact that Congress is considering cuts to national clean water protections, just as rivers nationwide are facing threats from natural gas drilling, pollution and new dams.
The urgency of this alert is highlighted by the fact that it is taking place during the Clean Water Act's 40th anniversary year.
"This year's Most Endangered Rivers list underscores how important clean water is to our drinking water, health, and economy," said Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers.
Before the Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972, the Potomac was "a cesspool of sewage and industrial pollution," American Rivers points out.
Now, due to the Clean Water Act, the Potomac is cleaner and safer for drinking, boating, and fishing. But the Potomac is still suffering, says American Rivers, citing a University of Maryland report card has given the river a "D" grade for water quality for the past two years.
American Rivers and the other clean water advocacy groups are calling on Congress to kill any legislation that weakens the Clean Water Act or prevents the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from restoring protections for small streams and wetlands under the Act.
American Rivers also called on the Obama Administration to finalize guidance clarifying the scope of the Clean Water Act and issue a rule "to ensure that all waters get the protections Americans expect and deserve."
Today American Rivers announced the kickoff of its National River Cleanup. For more than 20 years this program has mobilized hundreds of thousands of volunteers to pick up trash from plastic bags to old tires to large appliances from rivers and streams.
Now in its 27th year, the annual America's Most Endangered Rivers report is a list of rivers at a crossroads. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
