Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 1968
In the 1960s, the country awoke to the fact that our rivers were being dammed, dredged, diked, diverted, and degraded at an alarming rate. To lend balance to our history of use and abuse of our waterways, Congress created the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In October of 1968, the freshly penned Wild and Scenic Rivers Act pronounced:
"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes."
While sometimes criticized as not reaching its full potential, there is little doubt that when applied, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has usually been a rousing success, helping to protect some of this nation's premiere rivers: Allagash and Allegheny, Kern and Klamath, Manistee and McKenzie. The Wild and Scenic Rivers System now protects many of the rivers of our history, our literature, our nation's youth. John Muir's Tuolumne River and his famous, losing battle to stop the flooding of Hetch Hetchy Valley; the Delaware River of the American Revolution; Zane Grey's famous flyfishing river, the North Umpqua; the Missouri of Lewis and Clark's journeys. Great rivers from our past, now guaranteed to be great rivers in our future.
But designation as a wild and scenic river is not designation as a national park. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not generally affect a river like a wilderness designation. The idea is not to halt development of a river; instead, the goal is to preserve the character of a river. Uses compatible with the management goals of a particular river are allowed; change is expected to happen. Development not damaging to the outstanding resources of a designated river, or curtailing its free flow, is usually allowed. The term "living landscape" has been frequently applied to wild and scenic rivers. Of course, each river designation is different, and each management plan is unique. But the bottom line is that the Wild and Scenic Rivers System is not something to be feared by landowners.
As you might guess, a large percentage of wild and scenic rivers flow through the Northwest. Oregon has 46 designated rivers, including the spectacular Klamath River -- and its incredible abundance of wildlife -- which was added to the Wild and Scenic River System following a 15-year battle over the proposed Salt Caves Hydroelectric Project. The last section of the Columbia River in Washington that does not lie behind federal and private dams is currently being considered for designation. (Curiously enough, this reach is eligible because it has lain protected within the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the site of Cold War atomic bomb production.) Idaho has some of our most celebrated wild rivers -- Salmon, Snake, and Selway, among others. Together with Alaska, our northwest states contribute well over half of the rivers in the National Wild and Scenic System.
In California, Friends of the River advocates for the protection of our wild and scenic rivers. Founded in 1973, Friends of the River has led successful campaigns for the permanent protection of many outstanding California rivers and streams - including the Kings, Kern, Merced, Tuolumne, upper Klamath, West Walker, East Carson, Sisquoc, and Big Sur Rivers; and Sespe Creek.
Wild and scenic rivers are also well represented in regions of the U.S. Incredible fishing awaits anglers on Michigan's AuSable and Pere Marquette Rivers. The beauty of New England is reflected in the waters of Connecticut's Farmington River. The mysteries of the southern swamps call to paddlers in the Saline Bayou of Louisiana. Traces of Appalachia hold our imagination along West Virginia's Bluestone River. And our desire, our need to preserve our Revolutionary history helped lead to our adding Massachusetts's Concord, Sudbury, and Assebet Rivers to the National System. Hopefully others will follow.
There are many rivers already protected for you to enjoy. Grab a flyrod, load the kayak on the car, slip on your most comfortable walking shoes. Get out there and savor your natural heritage. But go slow, and enjoy every minute of your trip to the river. Because of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, you've got the time.
Information adapted from the National Park Service web site at www.nps.gov/rivers.
