Idaho Rivers United
This year we at Idaho River Rentals decided to give to charity, our first since we opened our doors in 2019. As part of Idaho gives we chose Idaho Rivers United. Read on to learn more about this amazing organization and why we chose this charity to support.
In 1988 Wendy Wilson and some friends launched the Friends of the Payette. This group of river enthusiasts wanted to protect the Payette river system from dams. The Payette system includes the South Fork of the Payette and North Fork of the Payette and the Main. Its home to some of the most exciting and popular whitewater in the State. With Class VI-V ratings on most of the river system and some mellower Class III, making it one of the most sought after day trips in the State.
Idaho is home to 107,651 miles of river. Less than 1% of these miles are protected under the Wild and Scenic Act. Idaho Rivers United is working to increase this number. At this time only 891 of those 107,651 miles are protected by the Wild and Scenic Act. A number that is staggeringly low.
What is the Wild and Scenic Act?
In 1968 the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed into law ( idahorivers.org ). This law was championed by Idaho Senator Frank Church (whom the Frank Church Wilderness is named after). This law, the wild and scenic ensures Rivers that have outstanding recreational, natural, and cultural features are preserved for our future generations. As of 2023 13,492 miles of 226 rivers in 41 states are protected.
How has Idaho Rivers United helped with the Wild and Scenic designation here in Idaho?
The focus at IRU is strategic, high priority river systems here in our great state. Systems like the Lower Salmon, NF and SF of the Payette and its tributaries, SF of the Salmon, SF of the Boise, Teton river and the Lochs, Selway and Clearwater system and their tributaries.
The Wilderness Act in Idaho does not go far enough to protect waterways. Having a Wild and Scenic designation does. This designation includes a Federal Reserved Water right. What this means is that after designation the water right is quantified and designed to protect enough water to protect river values. In other words the river will be given a water right that ensures the parts of the river that make it a river fish, recreation etc will have enough water to maintain its qualities that make it wild and scenic. Think what it would be like to have the river one day just go dry from an aqueduct or be filled up with water from a dam. Without these protections the very qualities that bring so many people out on the river; whitewater rafting, Steelhead and Salmon fishing would all be gone.
The last Wild and Scenic river designation was in 2009 here in Idaho. At that time the Owhyee Canyonlands, home to the Bruneau-Jaridge and Owhyee rivers in South west Idaho were preserved. Some 517,000 acres of land were designated wilderness and 325 miles of river designated wild and Scenic. IRU continues to fight for this land. Threats such as expansion of military aircraft operations continue to be an issue in protecting the sagebrush steppe country of south western Idaho.
IRU Supports other efforts in protecting our rivers. Wild fish protection and recovery including Salmon and Steelhead, Mining reform, Ensuring clean water access, hydropower reform and river stewardship and advocacy.
Salmon recovery has been a hot topic in Idaho for decades. Idaho Rivers United has been at the forefront of this fight putting pressure on the government to remove the dams on the lower Snake. These dams are likely the single greatest contributor to the decline of Idaho’s Salmon. The dams do have passage; however navigating 8 dams source to sea puts stress on the fish, leading to their decline. Even just removing the 4 on the Snake would make a difference in their survival.
Mining reform. The current mining law dates back to 1872, a time when the United States was expanding into the west and exploration was top priority. This law allows for mining on Public lands with minimal restrictions. At the time when the law was enacted it was though that mining was “highest and best use” of the land. 350 million acres in the United States fall under this law, much of the land having a stream or water source in or near it.Here in Idaho the South Fork of the Salmon is at risk of having a stibnite/ gold mine near its headwaters. The South Fork is habitat and breeding grounds for wild Idaho Salmon and the Lamprey eel. Both these species migrate to the South Fork of the Salmon to breed coming all the way from the Pacific Ocean.
Other aspects of their work include hydro power reform, access to clean water and being stewards and advocates of the river. It’s through these ideas and programs that IRU works to ensure that Idaho’s water ways are here for future generations. By fighting for the Wild and scenic designation for our most endangered rivers to Mining reform and Salmon recovery, IRU works to protect our most precious resource, free flowing waters and the fish and wildlife that inhabit them. Idaho River Rentals is a proud supporter of this vital organization. We hope that you too find ways to donate to this great cause.
To learn more and donate to Idaho River United check out their website: https://www.idahorivers.org/
