JACKSON - U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas said he is interested in pursuing "wild and scenic" designation on portions of the Snake River and its tributaries in northwest Wyoming, but more discussions are needed to work out details.

Thomas, R-Wyo., made his comments in a letter to river enthusiasts gathered at an annual "Summit on the Snake" last week outside Jackson.

He clarified his thoughts on Tuesday, saying, "I've only just begun looking into the possible areas which could be designated."

"My hope is that we can take the steps to protect our rivers and streams in a way that enhances the resource and avoids potential conflicts with private landowners," Thomas said.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed into law in 1968 by President Nixon and ensures free-flowing rivers when the designation is granted. Such designation would bar any new dams in the area, restrict activities that would impair the river and ensure water quality is maintained, among other protections.

That means that no activity upstream from the protected waters can impair water quality downstream.

"Wild and scenic" designation is made by Congress.

Lexey Wauters, executive director of the Snake River Fund, a group working to protect free public access to the Snake, said the time appears right for designation, as recent studies have shown the economic value of clean water.

"For the people who look at, 'Are we going to save a river versus have jobs?' it can be easily demonstrated now there are definable advantages to having a 'wild and scenic river' designation," she said.

Wauters is also with the Campaign for the Snake Headwaters, a group hoping to have "wild and scenic" status for the Snake's headwaters by 2006. The group is also pushing for watershed-wide protection of the Snake and its headwaters, which would mark the first time the federal act has been used for sweeping protection rather than just a stretch of river.

Headwaters of the Snake River include the Lewis, Buffalo Fork, Gros Ventre, Hoback, Greys and Salt rivers. There are 30 segments of 19 individual rivers and streams that are eligible for "wild and scenic" designation - about 460 miles, according to the Campaign for the Snake Headwaters.

Most rivers are on public lands on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the group says.

So far, 160 rivers totaling just more than 11,000 miles have been protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. That includes one Wyoming river - 20 miles of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River near Cody - which was designated in 1991.

Thomas said the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act "allows lawmakers a great deal of flexibility in making a designation tailored to an area's specific need."

In his letter to attendees of the Summit on the Snake, Thomas called the Snake River "extraordinary."

"Not only does it provide some of the purest water anywhere, important habitat for countless wildlife species, and a world-class wild trout fishery like no other in the world, but it is also a vitally important component of our tourist and recreation based economy that contributes millions of dollars to neighboring communities and to our states."

NewsTracker

* Last we knew: River users have been seeking "wild and scenic" designation for portions of the Snake River.

* The latest: U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas expressed support for designation, but said details of exact river miles need to be worked out.

* What's next: Thomas expects to meet with and hear from river users to delineate areas for protection, which would be voted on by Congress.

Environmental reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@trib.com.