[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the passage of the 
1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, signed into law 45 years ago 
by President Lyndon Johnson. This landmark legislation has resulted in 
the protection of more than 100 rivers, including Minnesota's Saint 
Croix River. Across the country, these beautiful riverways cross many 
political boundaries and state boarders, uniting Americans in 
appreciation of our natural heritage.
  As a Senator, Minnesota's own Walter Mondale joined Wisconsin Senator 
Gaylord Nelson to sponsor the Act, and include the Saint Croix River as 
one of the eight original rivers designated as a Wild and Scenic 
Riverway. Creation of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway 
recognized the largest scenic riverway east of the Mississippi River 
and helped protect its nationally renowned fishery.
  Once the epicenter of the American logging industry and a busy 
corridor of commerce, the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway is now a 
testament to the rugged beauty that was home to Native Americans for 
millennia, and that greeted early European visitors who followed them. 
Under the wise stewardship of the National Park Service in partnership 
with more than 1,000 private land owners, 252 miles of the Saint Croix 
River watershed from the Namekagon in Wisconsin, its largest tributary, 
to the Mississippi confluence are protected from logging, invasive 
development and industry. Tens of thousands of visitors have benefited 
from the river's national protection and enjoy its natural beauty; 
future generations will be able to appreciate its natural splendor.
  Today, 45 years after passage of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
Act, the legacy forged by Senators Mondale and Nelson has grown from 
the original eight rivers to 150 Wild and Scenic Rivers. This 
designation protects these rivers and the outstanding natural, 
cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the 
enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act has safeguarded 
the special character of our most precious rivers and helped lead to 
further protection of our valuable natural resources, including passage 
of the Clean Water Act of 1973.
  Despite the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, these national 
treasures are under constant threat from modern development and misuse. 
In Congress, it is my priority to protect and strengthen our Wild and 
Scenic Rivers, including the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, for 
our children and grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of the 45th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act, it is my pleasure to commend all who have made the Act a 
success, including Vice President Mondale, the late Senator Gaylord 
Nelson, National Park Service staff, private land owners, and countless 
volunteers who are dedicated to keeping these beautiful riverways wild 
and scenic.

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