“Forever” Stamp Tribute to the Deschutes River
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Portland, Ore. – The Deschutes River is among 12 Wild and Scenic Rivers to be featured in a pane of stamps to be released as “Forever” stamps by the U.S. Postal Service. These stamps pay tribute to the exceptional streams that run freely through America’s natural landscapes. Each stamp showcases a different segment of the Wild and Scenic River System.
Created by Congress in 1968, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act preserve sections of rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values. The Deschutes River begins its journey high in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon at Little Lava Lake and travels through deep rimrock-lined canyons on its 252-mile course north to the Columbia River. The last 100 miles of this path were designated as an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970 and a federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988.
In Oregon and Washington, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages over 3.4 million acres in 130 different National Conservation Land units: two national monuments; one cooperative management and protection area; one outstanding natural area; nine wilderness areas; 88 wilderness study areas; and four national scenic and historic trails.
“Now, thanks to the recently enacted John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, the BLM have the privilege of managing 68 wild and scenic river segments in Oregon including segments of the mighty Deschutes River,” said Linda Clark, acting Associate State Director for Oregon/Washington BLM. “If you enjoy rafting trips, fly-fishing for native steelhead, huge central Oregon skies, or just spending sometime outside, then the Deschutes River is for you!”
The first-day-of-issue event for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Commemorative Forever stamps will be held on Tuesday, May 21, at 11:00 a.m. PST at Tumalo State Park (64170 O.B. Riley Road, Bend, OR 97701). Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/wildrivers.
More information about the BLM Oregon/Washington wild and scenic rivers including the Deschutes River is available at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-washington.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.