Happy 40th Anniversary National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Rivers touch our lives in so many ways. They give us drinking water and are home to fish and wildlife. They are sources of identity and community pride. They flow through our culture, in our music, art and stories.

Rivers also mean business. Clean, healthy, free-flowing rivers support a recreation and tourism economy worth billions in California and nationwide.

Economic activity associated with wild rivers has hit an all time high, with the popularity of river recreation. A study by the Outdoor Industry Foundation showed that active outdoor recreation in California contributes $46 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports 408,000 jobs. Nearly three million Californians kayak, raft or canoe, more than two million Californians fish, and over five million enjoy watching wildlife.

As demand increases, we must ensure that there are enough uncrowded, high-quality rivers for everyone to enjoy.

Forty years ago today, on October 2, 1968, President Johnson signed into the law the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, with the goal of protecting our country’s wild river heritage and all the benefits wild rivers bring to our communities. Enactment of the law in signified a fundamental shift in the way we value rivers.  For the first time in our nation’s history we embraced conservation of rivers for their inherent unique qualities.

Today, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System is one of our country’s most important natural resource programs and protecting Wild and Scenic rivers enjoys strong bi-partisan support.  There are 166 Wild and Scenic rivers around the country. The Missouri River explored by Lewis and Clark, the Delaware River that cradled the American Revolution, and the Tuolumne River loved by John Muir are all protected by this visionary law.

California enjoys 15 Wild and Scenic rivers, including the Feather, which was one of the original eight rivers protected in 1968, the Kern, Eel, Klamath, Kings, Merced, North Fork American, as well as the Tuolumne – all loved by boaters, anglers, and anyone who seeks to reconnect with nature.  There are currently two bills moving through Congress that would permanently protect an additional seven California streams. 

A Wild and Scenic designation is the highest level of protection a river can get. It blocks dams and other harmful water projects, and preserves a river’s free-flowing nature. The designation also protects and improves water quality, as well as the river’s unique historic, cultural, scenic, ecological, and recreational values. It provides a protective buffer along the river while allowing appropriate development and use. Each river has its own unique management plan that is developed in concert with local landowners and citizens.

Wild and Scenic designations bring real economic benefits to local communities. A recent study on Oregon’s Rogue River showed that rafting, fishing and jet boat tours on the Wild and Scenic Rogue generated over $14 million and 225 jobs annually for the economy of just one rural county. In addition to giving a boost to recreation and tourism, Wild and Scenic designations can raise property values and improve quality of life.

In this era of global warming and increasing populations, it is more important than ever that we protect our wild rivers. On this anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, California and the nation should recommit itself to preserving our last free-flowing rivers for our communities, our businesses, and for future generations.

George Wendt
President & Founder, O.A.R.S. Companies, Inc.

Rebecca Wodder
President, American Rivers