You should know that the work to get this bill passed started over a decade ago when FOR started pushing to get rivers and creeks declared eligible for Wild & Scenic Status. The push has continued and steady work has been applied.
To get this done we worked with folks you might not expect. Buck McKeon and Mary Bono-Mack are two Republican Representatives and they were essential, as the rivers we were looking to protect flow in their districts. In recent times the Republican Party has not been very friendly towards the notion of conservation, but it didn't always used to be that way. Pete McCloskey, a Republican at the time, authored the Endangered Species Act (which was signed by Richard Nixon). Peter H. Behr, a Republican State Senator, wrote the California Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. It is a very refreshing thing to see politicians casting off dogma for Do-ma.
River saving, as an activity or organizational goal, is not full of quick victories and banner waving. River saving is a long process for determined people. It is a pragmatic business where allies are constantly sought from right, left and center.
I am proud to work for Friends of the River as we have proven that we are that type of organization and there are now many more miles of free flowing California Rivers that will forever be protected.
Bjorn
Development Director, dad and Fly Fishing Nut
A picture taken from the banks of the Owens River. The headwaters of the Owens are not protected thanks to the recently passed bill.
Is that "not protected" or "now protected?"
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