WASHINGTON, D.C. (EYT) – The United States Postal Service’s Wild and Scenic Rivers collection, which will include the Clarion River, is being released next month.
In December, the United States Postal Service announced that the 110-mile long river that stretches from Johnsonburg to Parker will be featured as a 2019 Forever Stamp as part of the post office’s Wild and Scenic Rivers collection.
The “Wild and Scenic Rivers” collection, which features “exceptional American streams that run freely through natural landscapes without man-made alterations,” is set to be released on Tuesday, May 21, and a first-day-of-issue event for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Commemorative Forever stamps is being held at Tumalo State Park in Oregon.
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic catalog or at Post Office locations nationwide.
The pane of a dozen different designs features photographs that represent the more than 200 rivers or river segments designated within the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
America’s wild and scenic rivers are those deemed remarkable for values including fish and wildlife, geology, recreation, and cultural or historical significance. These special streams are allowed to flow freely through natural settings without man-made alterations.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act categorizes designated segments as either wild, scenic or recreational. Wild rivers are undammed, unpolluted and generally accessible only by trail. Scenic rivers may be “accessible in places by roads.” Recreational river areas are “readily accessible by road or railroad,” may have some shoreline development and may have been dammed in the past. Designations often result from grassroots action by local citizens.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers system provides clean water, places of beauty and sanctuary and habitats for native wildlife.
The Clarion River stamp features a glowing image captured by U.S. Bureau of Land Management photographer Bob Wick.
Other rivers featured include the Merced River (Michael Melford, photographer); Owyhee River (Michael Melford, photographer); Koyukuk River (Michael Melford, photographer); Niobrara River (Michael Melford, photographer); Snake River (Tim Palmer, photographer); Flathead River (Tim Palmer, photographer); Missouri River (Bob Wick, staff photographer for Bureau of Land Management); Skagit River (Tim Palmer, photographer); Deschutes River (Bob Wick, BLM, photographer); Tlikakila River (Michael Melford, photographer); and Ontonagon River (Tim Palmer, photographer).
Small type on the bottom of each stamp indicates the name of the river. Michael Melford’s photograph of the Merced River is featured again in the selvage. Art director Derry Noyes designed the pane using existing photographs.
A full list of 2019 Forever Stamps can be found here.