The Wrack

Authorization to designate the York River as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by the 117th Congress and signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022.

In 2018, local towns decide whether to endorse Partnership Wild & Scenic designation for the York River as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Preliminary findings of the National Park Service validated the efforts of the Friends of the York River, which since 2009 has been working toward getting a law passed by the U.S. Congress that will allow a comprehensive study of the river.

The Friends of the York River received some excellent news last week: The Wild and Scenic Study Bill written and sponsored by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was unanimously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 5.

The bill calls for a multi-year study of the York River, done in conjunction with community input, that would determine if the river is eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River by the National Park Service. The bill still needs to pass in the Senate before it can become law.

Not long ago, we mentioned the York River Wild and Scenic study bill. Here's an update:

The Wells Reserve has studied fish habitat, identified pollution sources, educated residents about riverine and estuarine ecology, and helped protect land in the York River watershed.