Congressman McGovern Announces Deerfield River Legislation for Wild and Scenic Designation

Congressman Jim McGovern held a media event today July 25, 2022 at the scenic Stillwater Bridge over the Deerfield River, attended by many local and state officials, to announce the filing of legislation to study the designation of the Deerfield River as a National Wild and Scenic River. Congressman McGovern stated “anyone who has ever spent time on or around the Deerfield River knows what a treasure it is and knows what it means to this corner of New England.”

Chris Curtis, Vice President of DRWA described the two-year process led by the Deerfield River Watershed Association to gather local support from 18 watershed communities and 12 regional and state organizations for the designation, noting that "this designation process is locally initiated and locally driven with strong local support". He thanked Congressman McGovern for his leadership, and also noted a companion bill was being filed in the Senate by Senator Edward Markey.

Additional speakers in support of the proposed legislation included: Margo Ghia, Natural Resources Planner for the Windham Regional Commission; Linda Dunlavy, Executive Director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Trevor McDaniel, Chair of the Deerfield Selectboard; Michael Vito, Trout Unlimited.

Greenfield Recorder article: Protecting a ‘treasure’: Bill directs study of Deerfield River for National Wild and Scenic River designation

Spectrum News 1 video: New legislation announced to study adding Deerfield River to federal system

Congressman McGovern gives remarks at the W&SR Study Act Press Conference.

Chris Curtis gives remarks at the W&SR Study Act press conference.