Press Release

Washington DC - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the creation of a new National Water Trails System. The system will increase access to water-based outdoor recreation, encourage community stewardship of local waterways, and promote tourism that fuels local economies across America.

Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:

“We applaud Secretary Salazar and the Obama Administration for recognizing the importance of healthy rivers to our communities. Rivers connect us to each other, to nature, and to future generations. The new National Water Trails System will connect more Americans to their rivers, promoting healthy lifestyles, benefitting river health and clean water, and boosting local economies. We also look forward to working with the Administration in the coming year in support of the National Blueways Initiative, as called for by President Obama in his America’s Great Outdoors report, to protect and restore rivers and connect communities, from the Congaree River in South Carolina to the San Joaquin River in California.”

• Read more about the new National Water Trails System
• Read more about American Rivers and our work to establish Blue Trails
• Watch our video about Blue Trails

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American Rivers is the leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Since 1973, American Rivers has fought to preserve these connections, helping protect and restore more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual release of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide. Visit www.americanrivers.org, www.facebook.com/americanrivers and www.twitter.com/americanrivers.