Missisquoi, Trout Rivers closing in on Wild & Scenic designation

Written By Gail Callahan

Thursday, September 18, 2008

NORTHWEST VERMONT: Franklin County is one step closer to having two of its rivers fall under the protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Under the tutelage of Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), the two rivers are now under consideration to be included in the 40-year-old provision.

The House passed the  Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act last week, 299-118. The measure now moves to the Senate, and if approved by the chamber, will go to President Bush’s desk to either be signed into law or vetoed.

In a telephone interview from his Washington, D.C. office, Welch noted the measure enjoys the support of Vermont’s two Senators, Democrat Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, an Independent. Welch anticipates they will speak in favor of passing the legislation. Congress has little time before it breaks for an election recess to act on an already crowded legislative schedule, but Welch is cautiously optimistic the measure will become law before the end of the year, he said.

“We did get a fair amount of Republican support in the House,” Welch said. “This passage is due to the hard work of the people in Franklin County.”

The Missisquoi River is part of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail and is home to some of the best flat water paddling in Vermont, according to enthusiasts. The Trout and Missisquoi rivers are bordered by the largest silver maple floodplain forest remaining in the state. The surrounding habitat is home to a diverse animal life, including brook trout, rare freshwater mussels and spiny soft-shell turtles.

The act, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, protects rivers and assures the bodies of water are managed to protect the public’s enjoyment by prohibiting federally licensed dams, prohibiting federal water projects that would adversely impact the outstanding remarkable values of the water, ensuring water quality is maintained or improved, mandating the creation of a cooperative river management plan. The act doesn’t grant federal authority over private land use or local zoning, nor does it dictate what landowners can or cannot do with their property.

Welch attributed the bill’s pass-age in the House to grassroots work in Franklin County. A citizens’ action committee, the Missisquoi River Basin Association and Friends of the Missisquoi Bay, wanted the rivers to receive protection. Discussions with federal officials prompted Chris O’Shea to testify before a House committee on why the rivers should be included in the measure. His testimony will also be heard by the Senate, he said.

“I’ve been at this for four years now,” said O’Shea, chairman of the Franklin Zoning Board of Adjustment. “Every state in the northeast, except Vermont, has a scenic river. These two rivers have great recreational, historical and environmental importance. I thought it would be a great thing to do.”

For more information on the act, visit, www.rivers.gov.

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