Today’s show is about a topic that is near and dear to my heart - Wild and Scenic rivers! We in Oregon are so fortunate to have not only amazing waterways, but also a history of elected officials who have been willing to fight for them, and for public access.
Without Wild and Scenic protections, many of our most special and important places in Oregon would not exist as we know them. What most folks don’t know is that only about 2% of our waterways are protected with this designation.
Last year, Senator Ron Wyden introduced the River Democracy Act, which would triple the mileage of waterways in Oregon with Wild and Scenic status. The River Democracy Act, which is co-sponsored by Senator Merkley, has drawn widespread praise from conservation groups and public land advocates
If you’re not familiar with river protection lingo, The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection
To learn more about the bill, I’m joined today by Oregon Wild’s Public Lands Campaigner, Jamie Dawson.
Show Notes:
Contact Your Elected Official: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Senator Wyden one-pager: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/River%20Democracy%20Act%20of%202021%20One%20Pager.pdf
Oregon Wild RDA webpage: https://oregonwild.org/rivers
Oregon Wild factsheet: https://oregonwild.org/sites/default/files/1-Uploads/Documents/2021/River%20Democracy%20Act%202021%20Factsheet.pdf
Cool Short Video: https://vimeo.com/534234263
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