October 2, 2008	View as Webpage | Forward | Subscribe
	Dear , Forty years ago today, amid rampant dam building, Congress recognized the importance of protecting America’s last remaining free-flowing rivers by passing the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This law 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 and free-flowing nature.  Inspired by this Act, a small group of river lovers came together in 1973 to continue to fight for the protection of America’s best rivers. This group founded American Rivers with the singular intention of increasing the number of rivers protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Today, American Rivers remains the leading national organization standing up for healthy rivers. Over the past four decades, more than 165 rivers in 39 states and Puerto Rico have been permanently protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, but we still have a lot of work to do. You can read stories about our Wild and Scenic efforts on our blog.  In 2006, we launched our 40 x 40 Campaign, with just two Wild and Scenic bills in Congress. Today we have achieved protection for: Upper White Salmon River (WA) Black Butte and Cold Creek (CA) Musconetcong River (NJ) Eightmile River (CT) There are more than a dozen bills in Congress that would protect more than 100 river segments in 10 states across the country. We are tantalizingly close to achieving designation for the Snake Headwaters in Wyoming, rivers in the Owyhee River basin in Idaho, and rivers flowing off of Mt. Hood in Oregon. The protections for these rivers are part of a package of bills that may very well be the last piece of legislation to pass Congress this session. If this package does not receive the floor time it deserves this session, we expect these Wild and Scenic protections to be adopted early in 2009. On today’s 40th anniversary of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, please make a special tax-deductible donation to American Rivers to help us continue to fight to preserve our last, best rivers so we can continue to enjoy these treasures and protect them for future generations.  Thank you for your continued support of American Rivers. Sincerely, J. David Moryc Senior Director of the River Protection Program

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American Rivers ©2008