The Pearl River is a river, and let's keep it that way

The Pearl River is a beautiful winding river that forms the southern part of the border between eastern Louisiana and western Mississippi. That is my personal opinion, and although I am not as eloquent as many, I think if you saw the river in its glory you would agree.

The issue: There is currently a proposal for the "One Lake" project that would "dredge 10 miles of the Pearl River and build a dam to create a 1,900-acre lake near Jackson, MS" [source].

This isn't a water management project. It's a development project with many interconnected downstream consequences. It's also a 40 years later reaction to the 1979 flood.

From the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana: "We are very concerned about the downstream effects of this project on communities and ecosystems in Louisiana. Louisiana is currently in a battle against land loss that is affecting the people and industries that call the lower Pearl River Basin home. The fact that there is consideration for altering the Pearl River Watershed without considering the downstream affects is astounding." [source]

I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't even bother, just know I agree 10000%.

The Pearl is home to many species of flora and fauna, and is a source of freshwater in a brackish area that is prone to salinity influx. If you need a champion species, look no further than the Gulf Sturgeon. They are endangered, and call the Pearl home. An upriver dam would have consequences for the species and everything else connected to its environment.

Sign the petition to oppose the One Lake Project HERE.

More information:
The Devastation of a Dam — Saving Mississippi’s Pearl RiverWaterkeeper Alliance, accessed 16 August 2018

CRCL Blasts “One Lake” Project as Destructive to Louisiana
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, accessed 16 August 2018

One River, No Lake
Pearl Riverkeeper, accessed 16 August 2018

Protect the Pearl
Gulf Restoration Network, accessed 16 August 2018

New flood plan in Jackson could have dire effects on Coast’s oyster business, fishermen say

Mississippi Sun Herald, accessed 16 August 2018

Slidell City Council joins opponents of Mississippi's Pearl River flood plan

NOLA.com, accessed 16 August 2018

Coast seafood industry skeptical of Jackson lake project. ‘I have a lot of concerns.’

Mississippi Sun Herald, accessed 16 August 2018