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THE PRODUCERS:
This short video was shot in August of 2012 by Daniel Lombardi & Joel Harris; two MSUB Graduate students. Here’s our opinion:
We made the video as an argument for more protection on the most amazing 1% of Montana’s rivers.
We believe that the reasons to protect the water source of a continent are nearly infinite. Headwater streams are where the USA gets all of its drinking and irrigation water. It would be dangerous to our national security to allow these streams to become damaged. Furthermore, the value to our natural ecosystems provided by these steams is, in our opinion, incalculably high. There is no rational argument not to protect the best of our rivers.
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THE FACTS:
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was inspired in Montana by John and Frank Craighead in the late 1960s.
Montana has not designated any streams Wild & Scenic since 1976 despite there being streams eligible.
Montana last designated the 3 forks of the Flathead River and a portion of the Missouri River.
Only ~.6% of Montana’s stream miles are eligible for Wild & Scenic designation today.
A Wild & Scenic designation doesn’t prevent any recreation on the water.
The designation is designed to enhance whatever is deemed most valuable about that stream. For example; if a river that has world class fishing is designated then fishing accesses might be improved (new boat ramps perhaps) and development that hurts the fishing wouldn’t be allowed.
In the US today there are over 80,000 dams and only about 3% have hydroelectric producing capabilities.
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THE RESOURCES:
http://www.wildandscenicfilm.com – our W&S blog with media and stories concerning this project
http://www.saveeastrosebud.com – the website for Friends of East Rosebud Inc. with information about the issues surrounding East Rosebud Creek as well as a petition for you to sign
http://www.rivers.gov/rivers/wsr-act.php – everything you could want to know about the W&S Rivers Act
Here’s an article by the co-producer of this video, Joel Harris:
http://www.montanamagazine.com/online/index.php?sIssue=2013_03-04&sArticle=20130306141848
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Contact your senators and tell them to designate more Montana rivers as Wild & Scenic!
http://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=email_senator
http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=contact
and your representatives!
https://daines.house.gov/email-me
and your Governor!
http://govelect.mt.gov/contact.aspx
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THE CREDITS:
Ben Cosgrove made our entire original soundtrack and his talented work can be found at http://www.bencosgrove.com
This film was made possible by the activism of Frank and Annette:
http://www.woodandironworks.com
http://www.americanrivers.org – thanks to Scott and Mike
http://www.craigheadresearch.org/ – thanks to Lance and John and the rest of their families
Lastly, we would be even more broke college kids if it wasn’t for Patagonia Inc and the grant they provided us.
http://www.patagonia.com/us/environmentalism