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Oct
2
Written by:
news editor
10/2/2008 1:00 AM
10/02/08 ODNR Director Sean Logan, along with local, state and federal officials, will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program
ODNR DIRECTOR, PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND CONSERVATIONISTS
CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF RIVER DESIGNATION
LOVELAND, OH - Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Sean Logan, along with local, state and federal officials, will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program and the historic state and federal bills that were enacted to protect high-quality streams. Director Logan is the keynote speaker at a 4:30 p.m. reception in Loveland's Nisbet Park.
The 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program, co-sponsored by Little Miami Inc., also features remarks by Ernest Quintana, National Park Service Midwest regional director, and Loveland Mayor Robert Weisgerber.
"Forty years ago, Ohioans recognized a need to help protect our state's high-quality rivers and streams," said Director Logan. "Through the celebrated Scenic Rivers Program, Ohio has worked with local citizens and organizations to ensure the designated waterways posses the best water quality, highest biological diversity and most natural stream corridors in the state, and in some instances, the Midwest."
Ohio led the nation in 1968 when it passed the first Scenic River Act of its kind. The federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was then signed by President Lyndon Johnson on October 2, 1968. Designating rivers as wild, scenic or recreational helps protect and preserve the best of Ohio's high-quality streams.
ODNR studies proposed rivers to determine whether they meet scenic river criteria. The agency examines a proposed waterway's length, adjacent forest cover, biological characteristics, water quality, present use and natural conditions.
The Little Miami State Scenic River was the first river to join the state system. It became Ohio's first national scenic river in 1973.
There are 13 rivers designated in Ohio's scenic river system: Big & Little Darby, Chagrin, Conneaut Creek, Grand, Kokosing, Little Beaver, Little Miami, Maumee, Mohican, Olentangy, Sandusky, Stillwater and Upper Cuyahoga representing a total of 754 designated river miles.
The Division of Natural Areas & Preserves also protects 133 state nature preserves with ecological and/or geological significance under provisions of the Natural Areas Act of 1970. Many of these areas include some of the finest remnants of Ohio's natural heritage.
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For Further Information Contact:
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves
cell: (614) 265-6520
or
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860
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