Laurels for the Blackstone....

Exploited by factories for more than a century, the Blackstone River became so polluted that, by the 1970s, few thought it could ever be rescued. That the river and its surroundings are now on track to become a national park is profoundly gratifying. It is also heartening proof that, with enough determination, people can change things for the better.

The 45-mile-long Blackstone is the centerpiece of the proposed John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, a sprawling tract that includes cultural and historic sites as well as thousands of acres of unspoiled land. Near its southernmost point, in Pawtucket, it encompasses Slater Mill, considered the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Congress could, as part of its vote on a defense bill, secure the national park designation, something pending as we write this.

http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/editorials/20141212-laurels-for-the-blackstone.ece