Decades of restoration efforts are yielding positive results as dozens of species of fish return to the once-polluted waterway.

After years of being “biologically dead,” Paris’ River Seine is alive with fish and other marine life, reports Peter Yeung in Reasons to Be Cheerful.
In fact, in the 1970s there were only three fish species left in the 777-kilometer (482-mile) river, which spans northern France and cuts through the capital city. But after decades of urban water policies alongside community efforts, there are now nearly 40 that have been officially registered, with new species turning up all the time.
The city vastly improved its wastewater treatment system starting with its first strategic plan in 1929, leading to better water quality in the once-polluted river. The river was finally deemed safe for human swimming in 2024, just in time for the Summer Olympics. The city will also open three public swimming sites along the Seine in summer of this year.
“Yet recognition must also be given to the associations of fishermen in Paris, who, mostly on a voluntary basis, have been monitoring fish populations for years, as well as adopting sustainable practices such as banning fishing in reproductive seasons,” Yeung adds. However, challenges remain as new pollutants, climate change, and invasive species slow European cities’ progress in cleaning and protecting urban rivers like the Seine.
FULL STORY: Fish Are Thriving in the River Seine

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
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MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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