Campaign for the Snake Headwaters
Bozeman, MT
Snake Headwarters Wild & Scenic River campaign
Project location: Snake River, NW Wyoming
$77,500 2005-2009

The primary goal of the Campaign for the Upper Snake Headwaters (CFSH) is to permanently protect the best remaining free-flowing rivers and native trout fisheries in Wyoming's Snake River drainage by including them in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. The vast majority of the river miles targeted for protection are located on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, with less than 5% located on private lands. If successful, this would be the first watershed-scale Wild & Scenic Rivers legislation passed in the nearly 40-year history of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.

Federal Wild & Scenic Rivers designation would protect the Snake River drainage's eligible rivers and streams by prohibiting new dams and other harmful water development projects; restricting activities that would harm a river's outstandingly remarkable values; maintaining and enhancing water quality; creating a federal reserved water right; and requiring the development of cooperative river management plans to guide future activities.

CFSH has mobilized diverse support from local citizens, politicians, businesses, landowners, and whitewater/fishing guides and outfitters, leading to introduction of a 2007 bill in the U.S. Senate by the late Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), who passed away shortly after reintroducing the bill. It was subsequently reintroduced and retitled the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act by his successor, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).

LATEST NEWS:  The CFSH bill was signed into law by President Obama as part of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act on March 30 2009!