by Larry Zibell and Kasy Culbertson
By enacting the 1965 Wisconsin Wild Rivers Act, the Wisconsin legislature and Governor Knowles declared the Pike, Popple, and Pine Rivers special places "To afford people of the state an opportunity to enjoy rivers in their natural state..., to preserve some rivers in a free flowing condition and protect them from development". Early Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter leaders helped make this victory possible.
Congress followed Wisconsin's lead and protected other wild rivers by giving federal or state agencies oversight on special streams throughout the USA including the Upper St Croix Watershed (including the Namekagon) as well as the Wolf River under the original National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.
Other streams have been added since, with Wisconsin adding the last ones in 2009. Two stretches of river on the Totagatic and Brunsweiler were given protections by the state.
Today, federal and state river protections cover only about 1% of our nation’s streams and even less gests protected here in Wisconsin. One has to wonder - at a minimum - can we continue to protect what we have protected?!
Protection for the Menomonee River has grown to include 80% of the surrounding Pine and Popple watersheds. The Pike watershed, from highway 141 just 10 miles east, forms a unique stewardship with private property owners, timber companies, and county and federal governments. The 1968 Act forbids controls on vegetation for 150 ft. on either side of DNR-owned river banks, and limited access on designated wild river corridors near waterfalls to ensure paddlers and visitors experience wild landforms and rivers in their natural state.
To hear more, plan to head north to Florence, WI (www.exploreflorencecounty.com) on June 13, from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM for "50 Years of Wisconsin Wild Rivers", Wild Rivers Interpretive Center, at the Jct of US Hwy 2 / Hwy 70, Florence, WI. This event celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Wisconsin Wild Rivers legislation. At the event, a new 100 mile auto tour will be unveiled along the Pine and Popple with unique black and gold signs marking special sites of interest. It also includes distinguished speakers, a cook-out, and a hike to Big Bull Falls on the Popple River.
Attendees are also invited to A Paddle on the Pine River with the River Alliance of Wisconsin June 12. This trip departs from Chipmunk Rapids US Forest Service Campground at 10am and exits at the Goodman Grade by 4pm. Contact dcaneff@wisconsinrivers.org for more information.
You should also consider checking out John Roberts' "50 Canoe Trips on the 50th" by searching "Pine, Popple, Pike" on Facebook. For other Wild Rivers events, go to ExploreFlorenceCounty.com and click on Wild Rivers Tour. For more information, contact Wendy Gehlhoff, (715) 528-3294.
These rare gems deserve a visit. For more information on Sierra Club led paddling trips on these and other streams, check out the John Muir Chapter's Outings webpage or visit the River Touring Section's website.