Wild and Scenic Rivers Forever Stamp 2019
Celebrating the Wild and Scenic Rivers System
Purpose of the Stamps:
These stamps were issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which was established in 1968. As of 2019, this act has protected over 200 rivers across 40 states and Puerto Rico.
Design Details:
The stamp series features 12 unique designs, each showcasing a photograph of a different river within the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. These images highlight the natural beauty and diversity of America's protected waterways.
First Day City:
The First Day of Issue Ceremony took place at Tumalo State Park in Bend, Oregon. This location was chosen because the Deschutes River, one of the rivers protected under the act, flows through the park.
Historical Context:
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 as part of a broader effort to preserve America's natural landscapes. The act emphasizes the protection of rivers with outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or similar values, ensuring they remain free-flowing and unspoiled for future generations.
Initially, eight rivers were designated for protection: the Clearwater, Eleven Point, Feather, Rio Grande, Rogue, St. Croix, Salmon, and Wolf Rivers. By 2019, this number had grown to include over 200 rivers.
Conservation Efforts:
The preservation of these rivers is a collaborative effort involving federal and state agencies, private landowners, and numerous volunteers. Their work includes keeping the rivers free from trash and pollutants, as well as preventing the construction of dams and other structures that could alter the natural flow of the waterways.
Brad Arrowsmith, a Nebraska resident and landowner along the Niobrara National Scenic River, aptly summarized the spirit of the act by saying, ??Boundaries don??t protect rivers, people do.?? This collective commitment ensures that the rivers?? natural beauty and ecological integrity are maintained for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations.
