On October 2, 1968, President Johnson signed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Paddlers were and continue to be among the most passionate advocates for protecting our nation's free-flowing rivers. Upon witnessing the loss of hundreds of miles of great rivers to water development projects and hydropower, paddlers were among the first activists who advocated for a Wild and Scenic Rivers system to protect our nation’s last free-flowing rivers. Articles in the AW journal by paddlers like Oz Hawksley documented the grandeur of the Selway River and other rivers in the 1960’s. Oz kept paddlers across the country informed on the progress of the Wild Rivers legislation through the journal and the ultimate signing of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act on October 2, 1968. Affiliate clubs became involved in education and outreach efforts including a trip by KCCNY to take Senator Kennedy and Interior Secretary Udall down the Hudson River to promote the Wild Rivers Bill. In Wisconsin, the Hoofers were advocates for the protection of the Wolf River from a water development project while Gaylord Nelson was still Governor and before he joined the Senate. Paddlers have continued to take an active role in new designations and as advocates for the hundreds of rivers that agencies have found eligible but which have not been formally designated.

Over the past year AW has advocated for increased funding and effective management programs in our Congressional testimony and in visits with Congressional and agency staff. Through the efforts of our volunteers we have published a interactive map of currently designated rivers and those that are eligible for designation. We are also working to obtain management plans and make them available in electronic format through our website so our members and river supporters can understand the guidelines in place to manage designated rivers. At the local level we have worked with agency staff to make sure eligibility determinations are being conducted as part of long-term planning efforts. On rivers like the Chattooga we are advocating for responsible and nationally consistent management of the resources we all enjoy and work hard to protect. Through our website we continue to build the most comprehensive image database on the web of people out enjoying Wild and Scenic rivers across the country. Our staff, board, and volunteers serve and provide leadership on coalitions to designate rivers that need long-term protection.

Among AW's founding principles was a commitment to "Protect the wilderness character of waterways through conservation of water, forests, parks, wildlife, and related resources." The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act remains one of our most important tools to do this work and we will continue our efforts to protect rivers, advocate for responsible management, and encourage the public to go out and enjoy these incredible resources.