Protect the National Wild and
Scenic Little Miami River

Groups Seek to Prevent Damage to Little Miami National Wild & Scenic River; File suit against DOT, FHWA in Federal Court

Dr.Stan Hedeen and LMI Trustee Don Hopkins observe some of the 255 bird species found at and near the proposed Eastern Corridor bridge crossing over the Little Miami National Wild & Scenic River near Fairfax OH. Several years ago LMI purchased land at the site and established the Horseshoe Bend Nature Preserve.

(October 17, 2006 - Cincinnati) - Three leading environmental groups filed suit today over the proposed Eastern Corridor transportation project against the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for failure to adequately address impacts of the project on the Little Miami River, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River.  Rivers Unlimited, Little Miami, Inc (LMI) and Sierra Club filed the suit, anticipating it to be one of the most important environmental battles in the Little Miami River’s history.  The Little Miami runs through the Eastern Corridor, a transportation planning area in eastern Hamilton County. 

“The Eastern Corridor bridge and highway  will drive out wildlife, pollute the air with thousands of trucks and cars a day, bring noise and lights 24/7 and pollute the river.” said Mike Fremont, President Emeritus of Rivers Unlimited and long time canoeist on the Little Miami River.   “It’s where we fish, swim, paddle, hike and picnic. The National Park Service’s charter is to leave parks “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. The Little Miami is Southwestern Ohio’s "Central Park."

"We want to do everything we can to make sure that the National Wild and Scenic Little Miami River is kept wild and scenic and that we invest now in transportation choices that are clean and are part of the solution to global warming,” said Enid Nagel, Ohio Sierra Club Chapter Chair.

"We are seeking a solution that preserves the outstanding qualities of the Little Miami National Wild & Scenic River and addresses transportation needs in the area” said Eric B. Partee, Little Miami Inc. Executive Director, “It is regrettable that this process has had to find its way into the courts, but we are left with no alternative.  Thousands of people have worked diligently since 1967 to preserve this beautiful river corridor and we will continue that effort to protect this irreplaceable natural gem."

The Little Miami National Wild and Scenic River is a local treasure valued for its wildlife, beauty and family recreation. Over 100,000 canoeist and 350,000 hikers and bikers enjoy annually what is effectively our region’s longest park. The Little Miami is ranked as the State's largest example of "exceptional warmwater habitat" placing it in the top 10% of Ohio’s river ecosystems.  The Lower Little Miami was designated into the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System in 1980 after years of clean up and restoration work by local conservation-minded citizens. 

"The National designation aims to protect and restore the outstanding natural character that is an irreplaceable asset to the region," said Partee, “The National Park Service (NPS) has acted professionally in urging FHWA and DOT to find alternative transportation projects that do not damage the Little Miami. In June 2006, DOT Administrator Dennis A. Decker cut off discussions with the NPS and issued a "Record of Decision" aimed at moving ahead with the new bridge crossing. We share the NPS's disappointment for this abrupt and dismissive action by DOT and the FHWA. The Little Miami and its conservation supporters deserve better, much better."  

Little Miami, Inc. owns over 50 nature preserves along the river. LMI and other agencies have permanently protected close to 50% of the critical riparian forests along the Little Miami which can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come.

Click here for the press release

Click here for National Park Service comments June 2006