American Heritage Rivers Announced

For those of you following the Administration's American Heritage Rivers Program, this is American Rivers' press release put out this afternoon. The fourteen designated rivers are listed at the bottom. 

For Immediate Release
July 27, 1998
Contact: Carrie Collins, Amy Souers
(202) 347-7550

AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS ANNOUNCED BY VICE PRESIDENT GORE

American Rivers Praises White House for Launching Community-Led, River Restoration Initiative

(Washington, D.C.) -- American Rivers today applauded President Clinton for launching his community-led, river restoration initiative by designating 14 rivers as American Heritage Rivers.

"The White House has taken an historic step today," stated Rebecca Wodder, American Rivers president. "This is the first program of its kind to recognize that protecting rivers not only protects the valuable natural resources of rivers but also helps to rebuild the economic base of the communities that have grown up beside these rivers. We applaud President Clinton and Vice President Gore for committing the federal government to assisting communities in their local river restoration efforts."

Vice President Gore announced the list of American Heritage Rivers at an event today at the White House. This Thursday, July 30, President Clinton and Vice President Gore will travel to the New River in North Carolina for an event marking the designations.

"The President's Initiative promises to transform river conservation throughout the nation," added Wodder. "Communities all over the country are working to take advantage of the many values that rivers give us --particularly the economic values. More and more, communities are beginning to understand that a clean, healthy hometown river is an engine for an economically robust hometown. The American Heritage Rivers Initiative responds to the needs of communities across the nation."

Since President Clinton announced the program during his State of the Union address in February 1997, public support for the innovative Initiative has grown steadily. A broad cross section of groups and individuals, including local officials, tourism and river recreation businesses, downtown development councils, fisheries, historic preservation groups and conservation organizations, have actively backed the program. Many were involved in submitting 126 nominations for designation.

Despite this broad based support, however, the Initiative continues to come under attack by a small group of Members of Congress. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-ID) has introduced legislation, H.R. 1842, to "terminate" the Initiative.

The American Heritage Rivers Initiative is designed to support community-led efforts relating to rivers that spur economic revitalization, protect natural resources and the environment, and preserve historic and cultural heritage.

The rivers designated by President Clinton as American Heritage Rivers are:

  1. Blackstone and Woonasquatucket Rivers (MA, RI)
  2. Connecticut River (CT, VT, NH, MA)
  3. Cuyahoga River (OH)
  4. Detroit River (MI)
  5. Hanalei River (HI)
  6. Hudson River (NY)
  7. Lower Mississippi (LA, TN)
  8. Upper Mississippi River (IA, IL, MN, MO, WI)
  9. New River (NC, VA, WV)
  10. Potomac River (MD, PA, VA, WV, DC)
  11. Rio Grande River (TX)
  12. St. Johns River (FL)
  13. Upper Susquehanna and Lackawanna Rivers (PA)
  14. Willamette River (OR)

Jennifer Rikoski American Rivers 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 720 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-7550 x 3006
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