On 21st May, the USPS is going to release 12 non-denominated stamps in a pane of 12 called the Wild and Scenic Rivers forever stamps, featuring photos of rivers. The first-day ceremony will be held at Tumalo State Park, Riley Road in Bend, Ore. The park is situated near the Deschutes River, which is shown on one of the stamps. The philatelic release is dedicated to the 200 river segments that make up the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Photos of Merced River in California’s Yosemite National Park, Koyukuk River in Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Owyhee River in southeastern Oregon, Niobrara River in Nebraska and Tlikakila River in Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park are taken by Michael Melford. Pictures of Snake River through Idaho and Oregon, Flathead River in Montana, Skagit River in Washington’s Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Ontonagon River in Michigan’s Ottawa National Forest are taken by Tim Palmer. Photographs of Missouri River in Montana, Deschutes River in Oregon and Clarion River in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest are taken by Bob Wick.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was brought into effect by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. According to this act, certain rivers of America need to be preserved in free-flowing condition. The Act protects more than 12,700 miles of rivers and streams today. Several government agencies, tribal nations, private landowners and river users work together to protect the rivers.

A bigger version of Melford’s Merced River photograph is shown on the selvage along with the title, “Wild and Scenic Rivers. The river’s name is mentioned on every stamp along with the texts “FOREVER” and “USA”. The stamps are printed by offset by Banknote Corporation of America in a print run of 60 million.

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Image Courtesy: The USPS