New effort to protect Wyoming streams
A coalition of boaters, anglers and environmentalists launched a new campaign late last month to protect 458 miles of streams in the Upper Snake River watershed in Wyoming -- one of the largest proposed designations under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
The waterways -- 30 segments across 19 rivers -- wind through Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, national forest and wilderness and encompass waterfalls, trout streams and drinking supply watersheds. The goal is to protect the waters from dams, highways and oil and gas drilling.
After lobbying business and political leaders for 18 months, the Campaign for the Snake Headwaters won a pledge of support from Wyoming Republican Sen. Craig Thomas, who will explore the plan. Thomas helped secure wild classification for 21 miles of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.
In a statement, Thomas says lawmakers should work to “enhance Wyoming’s quality of life ... a [scenic river] designation may serve to do just that.”
Rebecca Huntington
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