I know – as a fly-fishing outfitter, I am that small businessman who will be able to create jobs and contribute positively to the economy as a result of this designation. I can tell you first-hand that this designation will boost Wyoming businesses by helping them to better attract visitors in a competitive tourism marketplace.

When Craig Thomas introduced his Snake Headwaters Legacy Act this past May, he highlighted the economic benefit to our tourism economy, saying, "these rivers generate millions of dollars annually to the State of Wyoming, and I know Wyoming will gain from this distinction."

Craig was right. This designation is good for businesses that depend on tourism, and its good for the State of Wyoming. That's why the Governor's Board of Travel and Tourism, Vice President Dick Cheney, and hundreds of Wyoming businesses are supporting the legislation.

There are key facts that need to be made clear to all.

Wild and Scenic does NOT affect private property or water rights. Idaho is not affected.

It is a myth promoted by folks with another agenda to suggest water rights will be harmed. Recently, our neighbor to the west, Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, expressed concern that water rights held by Idaho irrigators could be impacted by this designation. This is not the case. Just last week the Bureau of Reclamation in Idaho, which controls Snake River water flows through Jackson Lake Dam, stated that Idaho water rights would not be affected. This opinion is echoed by noted Washington, D.C. water rights attorney Bill Horn, who was Assistant Secretary of the Interior and chief water rights official under President Reagan.

Furthermore, Senator Craig of Idaho has a record of supporting wild and scenic designations, having most recently voted to designate 9 rivers in Oregon as wild and scenic. Idaho has successfully marketed its wild and scenic river miles for destination tourism. So the question is, does he not want Wyoming to be able to enjoy the same strength?

Private property rights are not affected by this designation, and the multiple-use activities taking place on and around these rivers - including hunting, fishing, grazing, camping, and snowmobiling - will continue as before. That is a fact, and the Bush Administration, the Park Service, and the Forest Service have confirmed this.

Business doesn’t stop at the county line.

At Senator Thomas’ suggestion, the Campaign agreed to compromises and cut out all of the eligible river miles in Sublette County and also the Greys and Little Greys in Lincoln County. This was done in hopes that we could protect the Snake River Canyon which is the business bread and butter to Jackson-based members of the Chamber of Commerce who are in the river business as guides, outfitters, and food and fun suppliers.

Lincoln County already got its way by having the Greys and the Little Greys Rivers removed, even though it could have provided jobs and sales tax revenues for their residents. It would be devastating to Jackson businesses to cut out the Snake River Canyon, which is totally surrounded by federal lands.

Wyoming is at a competitive disadvantage.

Wyoming must progress along with our neighboring states: Idaho has nearly 600 wild and scenic river miles, Montana 368, even Nebraska has nine times as many wild and scenic river miles! We are falling behind in our competitive tourism stance without this wild and scenic designation.

The designation of Wyoming's only current wild and scenic river - a 20 mile stretch of the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone - has been a great success, but it's still only 20 miles. As the Travel and Tourism Board stated in a letter to the Wyoming Congressional delegation, "we must catch up."

Like all of you, Craig was my friend. He understood small businessmen and the little guy. Those who would tell you this simple river designation is somehow bad either don’t understand the facts or simply want status quo. But standing still isn’t good for Wyoming.

Remember the small businessmen who need strong Senators and elected officials to do more than cater to the naysayers. Businessmen vote too, and we vote for this wild and scenic designation!

Jack Dennis

Outfitter and Owner, Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop

Jackson, WY

(307) 690-4947