[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 122 (Thursday, August 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SNAKE HEADWATERS WILD AND SCENIC DESIGNATION

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I wish to speak on the Craig Thomas 
Snake Headwaters Legacy Act of 2008.
  Shortly before Craig Thomas passed away, he introduced legislation, 
S. 1281, to protect the Snake River headwaters. His goal was to 
designate hundreds of miles of river in northwest Wyoming as wild and 
scenic. At the time, Senator Thomas stated that this designation would 
be a ``badge of honor'' for these rivers.
  On May 15, 2007, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on S. 1281. Senator 
Thomas invited Jack Dennis, a world renowned fly fisherman, to testify 
in support of the bill.
  During his testimony Jack Dennis eloquently made the case for wild 
and scenic designation stating ``Without hesitation, the rivers and 
streams of the Snake River Headwaters are the most stunningly beautiful 
in the world.'' Jack further testified that ``To walk these rivers and 
hear the music of the rivers, to see beavers swimming out of the lodge, 
to watch an elk come down to the river to drink at sunrise--these 
rivers touch all our souls.''
  On Sunday, August 9, 2009, I will be participating in a community 
event in Jackson Hole, WY, to officially designate the Snake River 
headwaters as wild and scenic. I will be joining Susan Thomas, Jack 
Dennis, and hundreds of grassroots organizations and individuals who 
never gave up.
  Like so many others, the river touched Craig's soul. This coming 
Sunday, we will finish the task Craig Thomas started. It is a 
remarkable accomplishment--388 miles of river dedicated as wild and 
scenic, 388 miles of pristine water that will be protected for the 
enjoyment of future generations.
  What an honor indeed.

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