Wild & Scenic Rivers

Utah has many wild and scenic rivers, but no "Wild and Scenic" rivers. The latter, a federal designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. The law states:

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. (Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968)

Wild and Scenic designation is a powerful and dynamic solution to river protection. W&S designation affords river segments protection from dam building, diversions and development, while allowing the public to utilize the river for boating, fishing, and other uses which don't harm the river. A perfect candidate for this designation is Utah's Green River, including the Red Canyon section below Flaming Gorge Dam ("A" Section), Desolation Canyon, and Labyrinth Canyon.

On Friday, Sept. 21st (after spending the night at Dripping Springs listening to the elk bugle) I had the privilege to float the "A" Section below Flaming Gorge as part of a publicity event and press tour in conjunction with the Utah Rivers Council (www.utahrivers.org) Wild and Scenic Rivers campaign for Utah, as an adoptee of the Green River through URC's "Get Wild with a River" program. We were joined by several staff and board members from URC, Denny Breer (owner of Trout Creek Flies in Dutch John), members of the press, representatives from the Dagget County Commission, the Governor's office of public lands planning, and the Ashley National Forest district ranger. We took turns speaking to one another as we floated through the serene canyon, and traded our views on the benefits and drawbacks to protecting a river.

Hard to say what will come of this. Already there is stiff opposition to any form of federal protection for rivers in Utah. Some land managers and local government officials feel their hands will be tied by any sort of new management framework.

I feel like we are rapidly losing our wild and scenic rivers to development. Some, like the White River, are more threatened than others. But all of these rivers deserve protection. Whether its W&S, or Wilderness, or something else. We need to think of our wild and scenic rivers as resource, not to be impounded and drilled and scarred by off road vehicles and motorized use, but to be shepherded and stewarded for future generations.

Press Links: Updated 10/3/07

Salt Lake Tribune, October 3, 2007
Wild & Scenic Green River - Multimedia
http://166.70.44.68/multimedia/2007/1003_greenriver/index.html

Salt Lake Tribune, October 3, 2007
In the name of rivers
http://www.sltrib.com/outdoors/ci_7072218?source=email

Deseret Morning News, September 26, 2007
Wild & Scenic Green River
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695213194,00.html

KSL.com, September 21st, 2007
Group Wants Utah's Rivers Federally Protected
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1847941