SPOKANE, Wash.– A conservation group has named an Inland Northwest river as one of the 10 most endangered in the United States.
American Rivers ranks the Clearwater River and its tributaries in Idaho number 7 on this list. This release says that a new management plan from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests threatens water quality and fish habitat in 700 miles worth of river in the basin. These stretches of river, including the North and South forks of the Clearwater River previously had extra protections as proposed National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Middle Fork of the Clearwater River has been a National Wild and Scenic River since 1968.
FULL STATEMENT FROM AMERICAN RIVERS
The US Forest Service says that not considering some of these river areas for extra protections will allow active management (i.e. clearing vegetation) to protect some of the unique environments in this part of Idaho. Below is a statement on river protections from the USFS.
“…management in support of resistance to the effects of a changing climate may be what is needed to perpetuate this ecosystem in the long term. The Forests found the need for active vegetation management is a benefit of non-designation that exceeds the benefits of designation.”
A revised forest management plan for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests was in the works for over a decade. The final revision was recently approved on January 10th, 2025.
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