Many of the rivers in this region have been the target of hydropower developers. While the canyons of the Cowlitz first explored by Wolf Bauer and members of the Washington Kayak Club are now buried beneath the reservoirs on this river, projects such as those on the Cispus and Canyon Creek were halted through the efforts of whitewater paddlers and others who value free-flowing rivers. More than two dozen hydropower proposals have been active for the tributaries in the Lewis and Cowlitz drainages many of which targeted the spectacular creeking runs this region is known for.

Outdated dams are scheduled to be removed on the White Salmon and Trout Creek which will restore these rivers for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and whitewater recreation.

Sections of the White Salmon and Klickitat have been designated as Wild and Scenic protecting them from future hydropower or water development projects. Section 13 of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act also provides some protections for the Wind and Little White Salmon.

McCoy Creek in the Cispus drainage flows through the heart of the Dark Divide Roadless Area. Roadless Areas represent 30% of Forest Service lands that remain undeveloped, but have no protection from future resource extraction. With approximately 50% of Forest Service lands open for development protecting Roadless Areas is important to preserve the high quality recreational opportunities they provide. Runs like Yellowjacket Creek, Siouxon Creek, and the Wind River also have their headwaters in Roadless Areas which contributes to their spectacular water quality.

A copper mine was proposed in the headwaters of the Green River which would have devastating impacts on the river including the fishery resources and recreational opportunities enjoyed in the Toutle River watershed. American Whitewater coordinated with other organizations in expressing concerns related to development of this mine. Remarkably much of the land the developer wanted to lease for mining was obtained by the Forest Service in the 1980s from the Trust for Public Land with the intended purpose of protecting it from the impacts of mining. At the national level American Whitewater is a partner in efforts to reform the 1872 Mining Law to provide environmental safeguards to protect rivers along with a mechanism to address the ongoing impacts of abandoned mines.