National wild and scenic rivers This information is provided in conjunction with the National Wild and Scenic Rivers presentation by Jennifer Bulava. Detailed Information, statistics, and quotes all come from the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System website: http://www.rivers.gov 50 years ago the national park idea – that a nation’s most majestic and sacred places should be preserved for all time and for everyone – broadened to include trails and rivers. The national Trails System Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed in 1968, protecting long linear parts of our landscape in addition to natural wonders and historic sites. (The national trails system now has a presence in all 50 states). The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act preserves rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition. “Their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.” Rivers can be designated by Congress or the Secretary of the Interior. Administered by state & municipal government, NPS, Forest Service, BLM, & many volunteer groups. For federally managed rivers, the designated boundaries average about a quarter mile on each bank in the lower 48 and about a half mile in Alaska. ..”our own children and grandchildren will come to know and come to love the great forests and the wild rivers that we have protected and left to them . An unspoiled river is a very rare thing in this Nation today. Their flow and vitality have been harnessed by dams and too often they have been turned into open sewers by communities and by industries. It makes us all very fearful that all rivers will go this way unless somebody acts now to try to balance our river development.” – President Lyndon Johnson on signing the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968. The wild and scenic river system is in 40 states, encompasses 12,754 miles of 209 rivers (as of August 2018). This accounts for .25% of our river miles. In comparison, at least 600,000 miles have been modified by large dams alone. NJ: The Delaware River as a whole includes 180 designated miles (NJ, NY, PA) Middle Delaware River (Del Water Gap), Lower Delaware between Milford and Lambertville – Bull’s Island, south to Washington’s Crossing) Great Egg Harbor River (Weymouth, Estell manor, other sites in Atlantic Co parks, out to Tuckahoe WMA) Maurice River, including small portion of Manumuskin, Muskee, and Menantico tributaries Musconetcong River (no photos) NY: Upper Delaware River PA: Upper, middle, and Lower Delaware adjacent to NJ New Jersey Great Egg Harbor River 129.0 miles In 1992, 129 miles of the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries were designated into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Great Egg, as it is known locally, drains 304 square miles of pristine wetlands in the heart of New Jersey's Pinelands Reserve on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. Begins in Camden County at Winslow WMA. Designated Tributaries include: Squankum Branch, Big Bridge Branch, Penny Pot Stream Branch, Deep Run, Mare Run, Babcock Creek, Gravelly Run, Miry Run, South River, Stephen Creek, Gibson Creek, English Creek, Lakes Creek, Middle River, Patcong Creek, Tuckahoe River, and Cedar Swamp Creek. Featured locations in presentation: Weymouth Furnace Park, Atlantic County Park System, 2050 Weymouth Rd, Mays Landing Estell Manor Park, Atlantic County Park System, 109 Rt. 50, Mays Landing Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area, 2201 Rt.631, Tuckahoe Maurice River 35.4 miles In 1993, the Maurice River and several tributaries—including Menantico and Muskee Creeks and the Manumuskin River—were added to the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Maurice (pronounced "morris") River corridor is an unusually pristine Atlantic Coastal river with national and internationally important resources. As part of the Atlantic Flyway, its clean waters and related habitats are vitally important to the migration of shorebirds, songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, rails and fish. Other important resources include a rare and endangered joint vetch, shortnose sturgeon, striped bass, and a pre-historic settlement site. Historically, the Maurice is home to a rich fishing, boating and oystering heritage. The river supports New Jersey's largest stand of wild rice and 53 percent of the animal species that New Jersey has recognized as endangered, excluding marine mammals. The Maurice River is a critical link between the Pinelands National Reserve and the Delaware Estuary— both nationally and internationally important. The Maurice River corridor serves as the western boundary of the Pinelands National Reserve. Featured locations in the presentation: Harold N Peek Preserve, NJ Natural Lands Trust, 2100 S 2nd St, Millville Menantico Ponds WMA, 8747 Ferry Rd., Millville Maurice River Bluffs Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Silver Run Rd., Millville Maurice River Cruises, Ware Ave, Millville; http://www.mauricerivercruises.com/ Heislerville WMA, Matt’s Landing Rd., Leesburg Upper Delaware River – PA & NY November 10, 1978. The segment from the confluence of the East and West Branches below Hancock, New York, to the existing railroad bridge immediately downstream of Cherry Island in the vicinity of Sparrow Bush, New York. 73.4 miles Other Wild and Scenic Rivers included in the presentation (in order of appearance): WY: Yellowstone National Park: Lewis River (tributary of Snake River) Grand Teton National Park: Snake River UT: Zion National Park, Virgin River AZ: Verde River, Camp Verde, just south of Montezuma Castle NM CA Redwood National Park: Klamath River Yosemite National Park: Tuolumne River, Merced River Kings Canyon National Park: Kings River OR: Sandy River (aerial shot taken from Vista House, Columbia River Gorge) WA: North Cascades National Park & Glacier Peak Wilderness, Skagit River .