It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes. (Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968)

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2008. The Act, championed by Senator Frank Church, and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on October 2, 1968, protects the free-flowing waters of many of our nation's most spectacular rivers. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for appropriate use and development. These living landscapes are uniquely managed to protect the public's enjoyment of these heritage resources for present and future generations. The managing agencies also try to accommodate and reflect community and landowner interests. Every designation preserves a sliver of traditional American experiences that are important to local communities, such as fishing and boating, or wading in waters our nation's forefathers would have recognized and enjoyed.

The Act purposefully strives to balance river development with permanent protection for the country's most outstanding free-flowing rivers. To accomplish this, the Act prohibits federal support for actions, such as the construction of dams or other instream activities, that would diminish the river's free flow or outstanding resource values. Designation neither prohibits development nor gives the federal government control over private property. The Act specifically:

• Prohibits dams and other federally assisted water resources projects that would adversely affect river values;
• Protects outstanding natural, cultural, or recreational values;
• Ensures water quality is maintained; and
• Requires the creation of a comprehensive river management plan that addresses resource protection, development of lands and facilities, user capacities, and other management practices necessary to achieve purposes of the Act.

As of 2006, with the addition of California's Black Butte River and New Jersey's Musconetcong River, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System protects more than 11,000 miles of 165 rivers in 38 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; this is a little more than one quarter of one percent of the nation's rivers. By comparison, more than 60,000 large and small dams across the country have modified at least 600,000 miles, or about 17 percent, of our rivers.

Oregon leads the nation with 48 designated rivers, while Alaska boasts 3,210 miles of protected waters. Overall the northwestern states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho contribute well over half of the rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

As a result of wild and scenic designation many great rivers vital to our nation's history are guaranteed to be preserved in our future. For example, the Missouri River explored by Lewis and Clark, the Tuolumne River loved by John Muir, and the Delaware, Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers which cradled the American Revolution are protected by this visionary law.

Idaho has some of our most celebrated wild rivers, including the Salmon, Snake and Selway. Incredible fishing awaits anglers on Michigan's Au Sable and Pere Marquette Rivers. The beauty of New England is reflected in the waters of Connecticut's Farmington River. The mysteries of the southern swamps in the Saline Bayou of Louisiana call to paddlers. Traces of Appalachia capture our imagination along West Virginia's Bluestone River. And, in 2002, President Bush extended the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to include three exotic rivers in the rain forests of Puerto Rico.

Through land management planning processes, many other rivers have been identified as eligible or suitable for designation because they are free flowing and possess one or more "outstandingly remarkable" natural, cultural or recreational values judged to be of more than local or regional significance. It is possible that some of these rivers could be added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System at the request of local communities or the governor of a state, or by recommendation of the agencies who manage them. One reason that local communities have supported designation in the past is that these rivers conserve places that these communities value. Another reason communities have supported designation is that economic analyses have shown benefits to these communities from tourism and enhanced quality of life due to preservation of these special places.

So, visit one of the many rivers that has been protected for you to enjoy. Grab a flyrod, load the kayak on the car, slip an oar in the water, or put on your most comfortable walking shoes. Get out there and savor your country's famous natural heritage. The best part is that you have time to relax and enjoy every minute of your trip on the river, because National Wild and Scenic Rivers System designation means these rivers are not going anywhere but the ocean.