Wild and Scenic Rivers
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, enacted by the U.S. Congress 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 established the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to protect and enhance rivers found to be regionally and nationally significant. Rivers may be designated by Congress or if certain requirements are met, the Secretary of the Interior. Each designated river is administered by either a federal, state, or tribal agency, or as a partnership between any number of these government entities and local NGOs. Designated segments need not include the entire river and may include headwaters and tributaries. For federally administered rivers, the designated boundaries generally average one-quarter mile on either bank in the lower 48 states and one-half mile on rivers outside national parks in Alaska in order to protect river-related values.
These rivers, or sections of rivers and tributaries, are preserved in their free-flowing condition and are not dammed or otherwise impeded. National Wild and Scenic designation essentially veto the licensing of new hydropower projects on or directly affecting the river. The designation also provides very strong protection against bank and channel alterations that adversely affect river values, protects riverfront public lands from oil, gas, and mineral development, and creates a federal reserved water right to protect flow-dependent values.
Support
Our mission is a labor of love, but it does come with overhead. If you’d like to support our efforts we’d certainly appreciate it. Currently, we’re actively participating in the following field research:
- COASST Beached Bird Surveys
- Wild and Scenic River Project
Thank you.
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A forgotten sailboat, once at home on the open seas, now rests as a forgotten relic in the parking lot near Damon Point, standing as a haunting reminder of forgotten dreams and the relentless power of time.
The golden hues of the sunset cascade through the dense trees of the Pacific Northwest forest. It's a sight that never gets old, a reminder of the beauty that can be found in even the simplest things.
Walking through the forest near our campground on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s almost hypnotic listening to the breeze in the canopy and the waves on the shore.
As the sun ascends, an explosive burst of vibrant hues paints the sky over Damon Point, illuminating the world with a kaleidoscope of colors and reminding us of the breathtaking beauty that awaits those who embrace each new day. Read more about our adventure; the link is in the bio.
Theresa is leading the way to Pebble Beach. A local in the area had shared that this was once an Indian summer camp and that you could still find arrowheads and pottery.
Camping with Jason who found us a great spot on the Columbia River. It’s unbelievable how close the shipping channel comes to our sites.
Come explore the stunning beauty of Tokeland with us! 📸 Click the link in our profile to see what Theresa captured and to join in on the conversation about conservation.
Exploring the Coastal Charm of Tokeland - Essex Media & Explorations
From above, the waves on Long Beach Peninsula look like a canvas of abstract art, each one unique and captivating in its own way. It's like watching a symphony of nature in motion - powerful, graceful, and utterly mesmerizing. 🌊✨
I recently witnessed a breathtaking sunset on the Pacific Coast. The hues of orange, and pink painted the sky and reflected off the calm water. It was a truly unforgettable moment.
Theresa's enjoying a moment of peace in Long Beach - just look at that sunset! All of us can help preserve these beautiful places for people to enjoy for years to come. Share your favorite conservation memory in the comments below!
We recently camped at Lake Sylvia State Park and were fortunate enough to have a break in the weather. Just as we were rounding the lake's northern end, there was a break in the clouds revealing a golden sky.
I'd love for you to check my lastest article which includes a short video of my visit to one of Washington's fire lookouts. https://buff.ly/409XOYR
Just published an article over on the website which also has a short clip of my trip to find the Burley Mountain Fire Lookout. Find the link in the bio.
Fluffy cotton candy clouds adorn the serene skies and tranquil waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We had to wait a bit for the tide to recede before we could start our #COASST bird survey.
We took shelter under an underhand to wait out a squall while conducting our #COASST bird survey on Murdock Beach. Theresa took advantage to do a bit of Agate hunting while the storm blew over head.
Adventure Scientist
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System contributes 10% of drinking water throughout the United States. In addition, these rivers are essential for their cultural, recreational, and natural value. However, water quality on the vast majority of these rivers has not been adequately surveyed.
Framed by the five-year window between the 50th anniversary of the WSR Act and the federal Clean Water Act, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service have partnered with Adventure Scientists to survey water quality on protected rivers across the country, providing needed data at an unprecedented scale.
These data will empower managers of these rivers to preserve water resources that support wildlife, recreation, fishing, and human communities.
We need rafters, canoers, kayakers, hikers, and others to help us collect data on Wild and Scenic Rivers across the country.
In the past 50 years, we have learned—all too slowly, I think—to prize and protect God's precious gifts. Because we have, our own children and grandchildren will come to know and come to love the great forests and the wild rivers that we have protected and left to them . . . An unspoiled river is a very rare thing in this Nation today. Their flow and vitality have been harnessed by dams and too often they have been turned into open sewers by communities and by industries. It makes us all very fearful that all rivers will go this way unless somebody acts now to try to balance our river development.
There are four types of data to collect for this project. Depending on your location and equipment availability, you may be required to collect some or all data types:
- Field probes with in-stream sensors to measure water quality data such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, dissolved solids, salinity, and conductivity.
- Habitat assessments measure parameters to assess river health (e.g. canopy cover, land use type, vegetation type).
- Water samples (grab samples) will be analyzed for nutrients, trace metals, and salinity.
- Invasive species assessments identify the location and extent of invasive species establishment (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington only).
All volunteers are required to complete online training and a comprehensive quiz before getting out in the field. We will offer a variety of educational webinars and readings to supplement your training.
Field probes and project equipment will be shipped to you before your start date, or as they become available.
Suiattle River
Our part in this project with start this weekend with us traveling to the North Cascades to start collecting data on the Suiattle River. Last year we did a bit of exploring near this area and we’ll be returning to our previous base camp to stage out of.
Each team must plan their method of accessing the backcountry to retrieve the information, and I anticipate that this initial trip will be more about scouting. Once we’ve found safe access to the collection point, we’ll be returning at least twice more during the summer.
I’m hoping to post frequent short video clips to our Twitter feed to help with recruitment for the project. If you haven’t already, I invited you to follow along.
If you think you might be interested in volunteering you can find more information here.
