How we began
Two whitewater rafting guides — Bob Doppelt and Rick George — had witnessed the destruction of Oregon’s rivers first-hand, and started Pacific Rivers (then Oregon Rivers Council) in 1987.
Pacific Rivers went on to:
- Help pass the largest Wild and Scenic Rivers legislation in the lower 48 states.
- Became the first to advocate for protecting salmon throughout their range, not just in isolated locations.
- Among the first to realize how much rivers are harmed by roads.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is the nation’s preeminent river protection law, designed to safeguard values like native fish and clean water by maintaining rivers in their free-flowing condition. Our first conservation win, just one year after our formation, utilized this law to protect 1400 river miles on 40 iconic Oregon rivers. Today, we monitor and advocate for already designated rivers, while seeking opportunities to designate more rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Check out our film Run Wild Run Free: 50 Years of Wild and Scenic Rivers
Pacific Rivers has led the way in:
- Protecting rivers, clean water, and fish in the landmark Northwest Forest Plan.
- Launching one of the world’s longest-running stream monitoring programs.
- Revealing the economic benefits of watershed protection.
A HISTORY OF PACIFIC RIVERS - OVER 30 YEARS OF IMPACT
