By Michael
Garcia
I’ve been on
rivers since I was 12 years old. I’ve been in the river business since I was
24. I paddle, row and dream rivers. What could be better for us than clean
flowing rivers? How could we help our rivers?
One way for
sure would be for me to see our rivers treated better. I paddle a few rivers
every season that I still drink untreated water from, but only a select few. We
need to act to keep these special waters and we can take steps to make it
happen, but we can’t wait much longer.
Long enough
have our rivers been the rugs we sweep our dirt under. Clean, pure water is
essential in everyday life; everyone and every living thing needs it. Where our
rivers are concerned, we need to do better.
We use our
water resources for endless reasons. Some are good, some are bad. We all should
see how protecting the remaining pristine waters we have are essential and
totally in reach. Is there any reasonable argument against this goal? This is
not a sacrifice. It’s a gift to ourselves and future generations.
I think of
how lucky we are in Montana to have these incredible waterways. When it comes
to recreational opportunities, Montana’s rivers offer an unparalleled spectrum
of possibilities. From fishing to hunting to floating, Montana has all the
choices you could ask for. Our free-flowing Yellowstone and its incredible
tributaries are true jewels. The forks of the Boulder, Stillwater and Clarks
Fork of the Yellowstone are as clear and pristine waters as you can find in
America. East Rosebud Creek, our latest entry into the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act, also feeds our country’s greatest free flowing river, the Yellowstone.
Never should
we put the Yellowstone at risk and yet we are at odds with groups willing to do
so every year. Rather, we should recognize all our special waterways and help
establish standards that protect the remaining pure gems we have and create new
means to upgrade our waterways in need of repair.
I travel
extensively and recreate on rivers in several countries each year. Everywhere I
go I’m engaged in river communities. What we have here and what we have accomplished
on our rivers is a shining example that encourages other countries to follow.
Still, what we have completed can’t stop. Our work is not done. We must
accomplish more protection where undamaged waters run and more repentance where
rivers need help.
In order to
maintain, years from now, what we see today, proper effort and special
legislation is required. We need the right attitude and the right laws in place
to help make that happen. It is my hope that Montana’s U.S. Congressional
delegation, Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Representative Greg Gianforte
, will introduce and pass the Montana Headwaters Security Act to accomplish
this worthy goal.
This draft
legislation would use the national Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect some
of Montana’s most iconic, free-flowing streams on public land. This includes
rivers such as the Gallatin, Yellowstone, Boulder and Smith.
In the last
50 years we have protected some rivers and made amends for past mistakes on
others where riparian systems were literally destroyed. It is my hope and the
job of many hard-working people to see our rivers remain as pristine as
possible. We have this responsibility, as we say to “leave things better
than we found them.” Please ask our congressional delegation to protect
Montana’s iconic rivers with the Montana Headwaters Security Act.
Visit www.healthyriversmt.org to learn more about the legislation.