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| Activities to restore some of the Missouri River ecosystem's natural form and function are under way and will continue for decades. Although the river will never be brought back to the wild, untamed form encountered by Lewis and Clark, its ecosystem can be revitalized for the benefit of all the basin's inhabitants.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in partnership with Tribal nations, states and other agencies, continue working together to develop and implement recovery actions. Here are two examples of how the Corps works collaboratively for river recovery:
The USFWS developed a Biological Opinion to protect the three threatened and endangered species that depend on the Missouri River.
The Corps developed a substantial Mitigation Project to acquire the land needed to develop fish and wildlife habitat from Sioux City, Iowa, to St. Louis, Mo.
The foundation of the recovery program stands on four pillars:
- Habitat Creation
- Flow Modifications
- Science
- Public Involvement
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| Today, the Missouri River hosts a wide variety of interests and uses, all of which are considered in the river's recovery program. They include social, economic, historical and cultural uses such as agriculture, commerce, conservation, energy, environmental, natural resources, navigation, recreation, residential, urban uses and water supply.
These uses have resulted in significant impacts to the Missouri River ecosystem:
- Three million acres of natural river habitat altered
- 51 of 67 native fish species now rare, uncommon or decreasing
- Reproduction of cottonwoods, historically the dominant floodplain tree, largely has ceased
- Aquatic insects, a key link in the food chain, reduced by 70 percent
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A sustainable ecosystem supporting thriving populations of native species while providing for current social and economic values.
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Implement actions to accomplish Missouri River ecosystem recovery goals in coordination and collaboration with agency partners and stakeholders.
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