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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 

April 12, 2021 

Approved by: 

Assistant Director, Partnerships and Civic Engagement, Date 

Associate Director, Natural Resources Stewardship and Science, Date 
Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1-1 

Purpose.............................................................................................................................. 1-1 

Background....................................................................................................................... 1-1 

Additional Background Resources ................................................................................. 1-3 

2 WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDIES, DESIGNATION AND PLANNING........... 2-1 

Wild and Scenic River Studies ........................................................................................ 2-1 

Eligibility...................................................................................................................... 2-1 

2.1.1.1 Free-Flowing Condition..................................................................................... 2-2 

2.1.1.2 Outstandingly Remarkable Values..................................................................... 2-2 

2.1.1.3 River Classification............................................................................................ 2-4 

Suitability ..................................................................................................................... 2-5 

Administrative Record, Decision File, and Record Management................................ 2-6 

Congressionally-authorized Studies under Section 5(a) .............................................. 2-7 

2.1.4.1 Staffing, Funding, and Oversight....................................................................... 2-8 

2.1.4.2 Study Process and Findings................................................................................ 2-9 

2.1.4.3 Coordination..................................................................................................... 2-10 

2.1.4.4 National Environmental Policy Act Requirements .......................................... 2-10 

Agency-directed Wild and Scenic River Studies under Section 5(d)(1).................... 2-11 

2.1.5.1 Considerations Specific to Section 5(d)(1) Studies.......................................... 2-13 

2.1.5.2 Protective Management for Eligible Rivers..................................................... 2-15 

2.1.5.3 National Park Service River Inventories.......................................................... 2-16 

2.1.5.4 Management Considerations for Section 2(a)(ii) Wild and Scenic Rivers ...... 2-18 

Secretarial Wild and Scenic River Designation Requests under Section 2(a)(ii) ...... 2-19 

2.1.6.1 National Park Service Review Process of Applications by States................... 2-19 

2.1.6.2 Wild and Scenic River Reconnaissance Surveys ............................................. 2-22 

2.1.6.3 Survey Scope and Findings.............................................................................. 2-22 

2.1.6.4 Staffing, Funding, and Oversight..................................................................... 2-23 

Wild and Scenic River Designation .............................................................................. 2-23 

Internal Legislative Process........................................................................................ 2-23 

Additional Protections Provided by Wild and Scenic River Designation.................. 2-24 

Wild and Scenic River Planning ................................................................................... 2-25 

Comprehensive River Management Plans ................................................................. 2-25 

2.3.1.1 Contents of a Comprehensive River Management Plan................................... 2-26 

2.3.1.2 User Capacity................................................................................................... 2-27 

2.3.1.3 Comprehensive River Management Plans for Partnership Rivers................... 2-27 

2.3.1.4 National Environmental Policy Act Requirements .......................................... 2-28 

2.3.1.5 Updating Comprehensive River Management Plans (under development)..... 2-28 

2.3.1.6 Comprehensive River Management Plan Archive........................................... 2-28 

Establishing Wild and Scenic River Boundaries........................................................ 2-29 

2.3.2.1 Process to Finalize or Amend Boundaries ....................................................... 2-29 

TOC-i 

1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

2.1 

2.1.1 

2.1.2 

2.1.3 

2.1.4 

2.1.5 

2.1.6 

2.2 

2.2.1 

2.2.2 

2.3 

2.3.1 

2.3.2 
5

10

15

20

25

3 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

2.3.2.2 Key Points ........................................................................................................ 2-31 

MANAGEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP........................................................................ 3-1 

Monitoring Programs ...................................................................................................... 3-2 

Monitoring Wild and Scenic River Values .................................................................... 3-3 

Streamflow ................................................................................................................... 3-3 

Water Quality ............................................................................................................... 3-4 

Cultural Resources ....................................................................................................... 3-5 

Visitor Use Monitoring ................................................................................................ 3-6 

Additional Monitoring Resources ................................................................................ 3-6 

Natural Resources ........................................................................................................ 3-

River Corridor Stewardship and Best Management Practices.................................... 3-6 

Instream Flow Protection ............................................................................................. 3-7 

Water Quality Protection.............................................................................................. 3-9 

Cultural Resource Management ................................................................................. 3-11 

Recreation Management............................................................................................. 3-11 

Scenic Resource Management.................................................................................... 3-

3.3.5.1 User Capacity................................................................................................... 3-12 

3.3.5.2 Recreation Facilities......................................................................................... 3-12 

3.3.5.3 Additional Recreation Management Resources ............................................... 3-12 

Fish and Wildlife Management .................................................................................. 3-13 

Stream Channel Stabilization and Restoration........................................................... 3-13 

River Access Site Design and Construction............................................................... 3-

Bridge Construction, Removal, and Replacement ..................................................... 3-15 

Projects Subject to Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act ................ 3-17 

Corridor Development................................................................................................ 3-18 

3.3.11.1 Energy, Communication, and Other Facilities................................................. 3-18 

3.3.11.2 Horizontal Directional Drilling ........................................................................ 3-

Protection of Wild and Scenic Rivers Values in Wilderness ..................................... 3-21 

Protection of Wild and Scenic River Values on Non-Federal Lands in the Wild and 

Scenic River Corridor .................................................................................................... 3-22 

3.3.13.1 Voluntary Measures ......................................................................................... 3-23 

3.3.13.2 Incentive Programs........................................................................................... 3-23 

3.3.13.3 Agreements....................................................................................................... 3-23 

3.3.13.4 Land Use Planning ........................................................................................... 3-24 

3.3.13.5 State and Local Regulatory Measures.............................................................. 3-24 

3.3.13.6 Land Acquisition.............................................................................................. 3-

Commercial Visitor Services ..................................................................................... 3-26 

3.3.14.1 Concession Contracts ....................................................................................... 3-26 

3.3.14.2 Commercial Use Authorizations ...................................................................... 3-26 

Education and Outreach................................................................................................ 3-26 

Emergency Response...................................................................................................... 3-27 

Climate Change Considerations ................................................................................... 3-28 

TOC-ii 

3.1 

3.2 

3.2.1 

3.2.2 

3.2.3 

3.2.4 

3.2.5 

3.2.6 

3.3 

3.3.1 

3.3.2 

3.3.3 

3.3.4 

3.3.5 

3.3.6 

3.3.7 

3.3.8 

3.3.9 

3.3.10 

3.3.11 

3.3.12 

3.3.13 

3.3.14 

3.4 

3.5 

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4 PROTECTION FROM WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS AND HYDROPOWER 

PROJECT WORKS - SECTION 7................................................................................... 4-1 

Statutory Background...................................................................................................... 4-1 

Activities that Trigger a Section 7 Evaluation............................................................... 4-3 

Evaluation Standards....................................................................................................... 4-3 

On or Directly Affecting .............................................................................................. 4-4 

Direct and Adverse....................................................................................................... 4-5 

Invade or Unreasonably Diminish................................................................................ 4-5 

Invade or Diminish....................................................................................................... 4-6 

Conducting the Evaluation.............................................................................................. 4-6 

Documenting the Determination..................................................................................... 4-7 

Transmittal Letter............................................................................................................ 4-8 

Signature Authorities....................................................................................................... 4-8 

Wild and Scenic Rivers Within the National Park System .......................................... 4-9 

Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers............................................................................. 4-9 

State-Administered Wild and Scenic Rivers................................................................ 4-9 

River Parks with Enabling Legislation Similar to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act .... 4-9 

Congressionally-Authorized Study Rivers................................................................. 4-10 

Records Management For Section 7 Determinations ................................................. 4-10 

Consultation and Coordination..................................................................................... 4-11 

United States Army Corps of Engineers .................................................................... 4-12 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ................................................................... 4-13 

National Environmental Policy Act Requirements .................................................... 4-14 

Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration .............................. 4-15 

National Historic Preservation Act............................................................................. 4-16 

Section 10(c) Compatibility Determination for Park Units........................................ 4-18 

Emergencies and After-the-Fact Permits.................................................................... 4-18 

Emergency Projects.................................................................................................... 4-18 

After-the-Fact 404 Permits......................................................................................... 4-19 

5 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 5-1 

Literature Cited................................................................................................................ 5-1 

Websites............................................................................................................................. 5-7 

Legislation/Regulations.................................................................................................... 5-9 

Flowcharts....................................................................................................................... 5-10 

6 ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY ............................................................................ 6-1 

Abbreviations.................................................................................................................... 6-1 

Glossary............................................................................................................................. 6-2 

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4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.3.1 

4.3.2 

4.3.3 

4.3.4 

4.4 

4.5 

4.6 

4.7 

4.7.1 

4.7.2 

4.7.3 

4.7.4 

4.7.5 

4.8 

4.9 

4.9.1 

4.9.2 

4.9.3 

4.9.4 

4.9.5 

4.9.6 

4.10 

4.10.1 

4.10.2 

5.1 

5.2 

5.3 

5.4 

6.1 

6.2 
7 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDICES..................................................................................................................... 7-1 

APPENDIX A: NPS WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS – MARCH 2019 ................................ 1 

APPENDIX B: IDENTIFYING WILD AND SCENIC RIVER VALUES ON 

DESIGNATED RIVERS....................................................................................................... 6 

1. WSR Values Statements ..................................................................................................... 6 

2. WSR Values Workshop ...................................................................................................... 6 

3. Special Considerations for Scenic and Cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Values ....... 10 

APPENDIX C: LIST OF ELIGIBLE RIVERS AND NATIONWIDE RIVERS 

INVENTORY BY PARK...................................................................................................... 1 

APPENDIX D: LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT DATA PACKAGE SAMPLE ........................ 1 

APPENDIX E: SECTION 2(A)(II) SAMPLE PREPARATION MATERIALS (UNDER 

DEVELOPMENT) ................................................................................................................ 1 

APPENDIX F: INTEGRATING WILD AND SCENIC RIVER VALUES IN 

FOUNDATION DOCUMENTS........................................................................................... 1 

1. Foundation Document Content........................................................................................... 2 

2. Wild and Scenic Rivers in Park Foundation Documents.................................................... 4 

APPENDIX G: BOUNDARY ESTABLISHMENT SAMPLE MATERIALS..................... 1 

Three-Week Out Submission ..................................................................................................... 2 

OES Cover Sheet........................................................................................................................ 3 

General Background Brief for Region....................................................................................... 4 

Request for Brief to Transmit WSR Boundary and Classification Maps to Congress and 

Publish NOA in the Federal Register.................................................................................. 7 

Example of a Congressional Notice Letter ................................................................................ 9 

Transmittal Cover Letter - Federal Register Notice of Availability ........................................ 10 

Federal Register Notice of Availability ................................................................................... 11 

Coordination Letter from Other Federal Agency..................................................................... 12 

APPENDIX H: EXAMPLE OF COURT DECREE FOR A WATER RIGHT ................... 1 

District Court, Water Division 1, State of Colorado Case No. 86CW367................................. 1 

APPENDIX I: EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTICES AND REQUIRED MEASURES 

FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, REMOVAL AND/OR REPLACEMENT .............. 1 

1. Project Coordination........................................................................................................... 1 

2. Preconstruction Studies....................................................................................................... 3 

3. Notification to River Users ................................................................................................. 3 

4. Erosion Control................................................................................................................... 4 

5. Construction Equipment/Staging Areas/Work Site ............................................................ 4 

6. Bridge Rehabilitation/Restoration/Removal....................................................................... 5 

7. Work Pad/Causeway/Culverts ............................................................................................ 6 

8. Abutments/Piers (bridges that span the rivers are preferred).............................................. 7 

9. Bank Protection................................................................................................................... 8 

10. Vegetative Plantings/Tree Removal/Tree Replacement ..................................................... 9 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

11. Archeological/Cultural Resources ...................................................................................... 9 

12. Bridge Design Criteria (scenic/visual/recreation considerations)..................................... 10 

13. Embedded culverts (stream-simulation) ........................................................................... 11 

14. Bridge Signage.................................................................................................................. 12 

APPENDIX J: WILD AND SCENIC RIVER – LIKE RIVER LEGISLATION............... 1 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Aug. 27, 1964)................................................................... 1 

Buffalo National River (March 1, 1972).................................................................................... 2 

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (March 7, 1974) ..................................... 2 

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (Aug. 15, 1978).............................................. 2 

New River Gorge National River (Nov. 10, 1978) .................................................................... 3 

Gauley River National Recreation Area (Oct. 26, 1988)........................................................... 4 

Little River Canyon National Preserve (Jan. 3, 1992) ............................................................... 4 

APPENDIX K: SECTION 7 COORDINATION – NATIONAL HISTORIC 

PRESERVATION ACT........................................................................................................ 1 

Initiate Project Review and Confirm Applicability of WSRA Section 7 and NHPA Section 

106....................................................................................................................................... 2 

Identify Relevant Cultural Resources ........................................................................................ 2 

Assess Effects............................................................................................................................. 3 

Resolve Adverse Effects ............................................................................................................ 4 

APPENDIX L: COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION EXAMPLE ................................ 1 

APPENDIX M: CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT............................................. 1 

TOC-v 
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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

INTRODUCTION 

PURPOSE 

Reference Manual (RM) 46 is to be used in conjunction with Director’s Order #46 (NPS 2015) 

to provide consistent guidance on implementing National Park Service (NPS) responsibilities 

under the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA).1 This RM addresses issues that the NPS 

frequently encounters as part of our administrative and management responsibilities for wild and 

scenic rivers (WSRs). For a list of rivers where NPS has responsibilities, see: Appendix A: 

NPS Wild and Scenic River Program Rivers - March 2019. 

This RM is a dynamic resource that will be updated as additional guidance becomes available. 

The NPS WSR Steering Committee is the entity responsible for periodically assessing the need 

for modifications to the document. Content will be modified and/or added as needed based on 

the consensus and discretion of the Steering Committee. Any major or potentially controversial 

changes will be vetted by the appropriate NPS directorate(s). Check back periodically and/or 

consult with your regional representative on the NPS WSR Steering Committee, described 

below, regarding interpretation and/or application of this guidance. While this RM focuses on 

NPS responsibilities for designated, eligible and/or suitable WSRs, the information provided 

may be pertinent and useful for the management of other NPS-managed or administered rivers. 

NOTE on Document Navigation: Hyperlinks in this document will take you to other locations in 

the document, including the list of references. To return to your original location, use the Back 

button on your toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Left Arrow. The reference hyperlinks 

will take you to cited documents and locations. 

BACKGROUND 

In 1968, the WSRA was signed into law. Section 1(b) makes the following declaration: 

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected 

rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess 

outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, 

historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing 

condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for 

the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress 

declares that the established national policy of dam and other construction at 

appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented 

by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their 

free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill 

other vital national conservation purposes. 

The NPS is one of four federal agencies with WSR management responsibilities. The other three 

agencies include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and U.S. 

1

Public Law (PL) 90-542; For a copy of the most recent series of enactments, see US Code Title 16 Chapter 28 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The NPS has a range of responsibilities for rivers 

depending on the administrative nature of the river. Certain rivers that flow wholly or partly 

within the boundaries of national park units or were designated as park units are administered 

solely by the NPS. Other rivers are administered in partnership with state and local governments 

and/or non-governmental organizations. These are known as “Partnership Wild and Scenic 

Rivers” (PWSRs). A third type of WSR, designated by secretarial action at the request of state 

Governors, is administered by a state agency with limited technical assistance provided by NPS. 

These rivers are known as Section 2(a)(ii) WSRs, which refers to the section of the WSRA that 

describes this type of river designation. Additionally, some park units have river protection 

language in their enabling legislation that is similar or identical to some provisions of the 

WSRA. Although rivers protected under such legislation are not included in the National Wild 

and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS), they are referred to as “WSR-like” rivers. Finally, NPS 

has responsibility for maintaining a list of rivers with potential for inclusion in the NWSRS. 

This list is known as the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI). 

The NPS approach to managing WSRs has evolved over time. In April of 2007, following an 

internal evaluation, the NPS WSR Task Force published a report entitled WSRs: Charting the 

Course (NPS 2007). This report documented the recommendations of the NPS WSR Task Force 

to the National Leadership Council. The report makes the following observation: 

Protection of WSR resources requires active leadership and informed 

management to a degree unimagined in 1968. While the NPS is currently meeting 

many of its statutory responsibilities under the Act, we are not consistent and are 

having difficulties in many areas. Despite planning, management, and regulatory 

mandates, the NPS does not have a programmatic approach to WSR management. 

We have not established a chain of command or the program coherence necessary 

to develop and implement policy or provide staff training. This has led to uneven 

performance on many essential WSR responsibilities . . . Managing and 

protecting rivers requires an ongoing commitment by the NPS to interface with 

states, federal agencies, and other river and watershed communities. (NPS 2007, 

p. 17) 

Following the above observation, the report makes the following recommendation: 

A strategic, forward-looking response is urgently needed in order for the NPS to 

meet its management responsibilities and safeguard heritage resources. To 

improve its performance in the future, the NPS must remove internal barriers, 

coordinate with federal agencies and scientific communities, and revitalize and 

strengthen local and state partnerships. The NPS should provide strong 

leadership and develop solid working relationships to ensure that the public 

understands the value of these special rivers. (NPS 2007, p. 24) 

Toward this end, the Task Force recommended that the NPS National Leadership Council (NLC) 

create a new NPS WSR Program. The WSR Program was envisioned as a program led by a 

National WSR Coordinator and a WSR Steering Committee composed of representatives from 

the regions, Superintendents, and the Washington Support Office (WASO). The Task Force 

identified the following benefits of their recommendations: 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

The approach will improve consistency, coordination and compliance by greatly 

enhancing awareness by NPS managers of the Act’s statutory requirements. It 

will also improve training, inter-divisional and inter-regional communication, 

resource protection, and reduce litigation risk. (NPS 2007, p. 10) 

On May 17, 2007, the NLC approved the formation of a Service-wide WSR Program. A WSR 

Steering Committee was jointly chartered in the Directorates of Partnerships and Visitor 

Experience2 and Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. The WSR Steering Committee 

Charter (NPS 2008) was signed by the two associate directors on September 24, 2008 and the 

leadership is currently shared between the two directorates. 

According to its Charter, the purpose of the WSR Steering Committee is to do the following: 

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Service-wide WSR Program that 

meets legislative requirements of the WSRA 

• Promote program consistency Service-wide 

• Establish Service-wide policies and guidelines 

• Improve internal and external communication and coordination 

• Educate NPS staff, stakeholders, and the public about the importance of WSRs 

• Protect and enhance river resources and associated free-flowing conditions, water quality 

and outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs) 

The WSR Steering Committee, with input from a broad array of stakeholders, wrote Director’s 

Order 46 (NPS 2016), which was signed May 1, 2015. This RM is intended to augment 

Director’s Order 46 and provide detailed guidance to staff charged with carrying out NPS 

responsibilities under the WSRA. 

In addition, the WSR Steering Committee coordinates closely with the Interagency WSR 

Coordinating Council (IWSRCC). Chartered in 1995, the IWSRCC consists of representatives 

of the four WSR-administering agencies. The IWSRCC’s overriding goal is to improve 

interagency coordination in administering the WSRA. The Council addresses a broad range of 

issues and has produced numerous technical reports and guidance documents that are cited 

throughout this RM. Coordination with the IWSRCC ensures that NPS WSR management 

actions are generally consistent with that of other agencies. 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND RESOURCES 

For additional background resources and general information on WSRs, see the following 

documents and databases: 

• An Introduction to WSRs (IWSRCC 1998b) 

• WSR Management Responsibilities (IWSRCC 2002) 

• Close-out checklist (applies to all plans and studies) 

• Map of NPS Wild and Scenic Rivers (interactive map of NPS WSRs) 

2 Partnerships and Visitor Experience directorate is now the Partnerships and Civic Engagement (PCE) directorate. 

1-3 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

• Database of Comprehensive River Management Plans (Internal spreadsheet with list of 

designated rivers and links to Comprehensive River Management Plans) 

• Database of eligible/suitable rivers (NPS Data Store Eligible Suitable Rivers database) 

• Map of NPS eligible/suitable rivers (Map of Eligible Suitable Rivers within NPS 

boundaries) 

1-4 
2 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDIES, DESIGNATION AND 

PLANNING 

Most rivers are added to the NWSRS through federal designation legislation after a study of the 

river’s eligibility and suitability is completed by one of the four federal agencies responsible for 

the management of wild and scenic rivers (WSRs). Rivers are identified for study under two 

different provisions of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA). Congress may authorize a 

study by amending Section 5(a) of the WSRA, or federal agencies may identify rivers for study 

through land and resource management planning processes as described in Section 5(d)(1) of the 

WSRA. Rivers may also be designated by the Secretary of Interior under Section 2(a)(ii), which 

allows the Governor of a state to propose rivers for designation under certain conditions. This 

chapter provides an overview of these and other National Park Service (NPS) study, designation 

and planning responsibilities under the WSRA. 

WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDIES 

There are two components of the WSR study process: eligibility and suitability. A river is first 

evaluated for eligibility, and if it is found eligible, it is then evaluated for suitability. Eligibility 

and suitability studies are best conducted by an interdisciplinary team (IDT) consisting of 

resource experts, planners, and managers. The basic study process is the same whether for a 

congressionally-authorized 5(a) study, an agency-initiated 5(d) study, or a secretarial request for 

designation under Section 2(a)(ii). Considerations specific to each of these are presented in their 

respective sections of this chapter. For more detailed information, see The Wild and Scenic 

River Study Process (Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council [IWSRCC] 

1999b). 

Eligibility 

Eligibility studies are resource inventories and assessments that determine if a river segment 

meets WSRA eligibility criteria. To be eligible for inclusion in the NWSRS, a river segment 

must be free-flowing and possess at least one outstandingly remarkable value (ORV). Along 

with a river’s free-flowing condition and ORVs, water quality is a third fundamental value that 

must be protected and enhanced on all WSRs. However, while water quality condition is a 

fundamental value of WSRs and has implications for classification,3 water quality is not an 

eligibility criterion. The NWSRS; Final Revised Guidelines for Eligibility, Classification and 

Management of River Areas (NPS and USFS 1982),4 also known as the 1982 Interagency 

Guidelines, states the following: 

...the Clean Water Act has made it a national goal that all waters of the United 

States be made fishable and swimmable, and provides the legal means for 

3 For a WSR to be classified as Wild, it must have water quality that meets or exceeds federal criteria or federally 

approved state standards for aesthetics, for propagation of fish and wildlife normally adapted to the habitat of the 

stream, and for primary contact recreation except where exceeded by natural conditions. The WSRA provides no 

specific guidance on water quality for Scenic and Recreational rivers. 4

47 FR 39454-39467, September 7, 1982 

2-1 

2.1 

2.1.1 
Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

upgrading water quality in any river which would otherwise be suitable for 

inclusion in the system. Therefore, rivers will not necessarily be excluded from 

the system because of poor water quality at the time of study, provided a water 

quality improvement plan exists or is being developed in compliance with 

applicable State and Federal laws. 

The determination of eligibility is based on the best available information and professional 

judgement of the IDT. Outside experts with information relating to the river and its resources 

are consulted when appropriate. 

The NPS has developed a workshop framework to evaluate and identify WSR values for river 

segments. This process is described in detail in Appendix_B: Identifying Wild and Scenic River 

Values on Designated Rivers. The process is also presented in Wild and Scenic Rivers Values 

Workshop, Participant’s Guide (NPS 2016). The NPS initially developed this framework to 

identify or further define a river’s outstanding values for a Comprehensive River Management 

Plan (CRMP) or foundation document. However, the same framework can be used for the 

eligibility phase of a 5(a) study, 2(a)(ii) study, or 5(d) assessment. 

2.1.1.1 Free-Flowing Condition 

Section 16(b) of the WSRA states: 

Free-flowing, as applied to any river or section of a river, means existing or 

flowing in natural condition without impoundment, diversion, straightening, riprapping, or other modification of the waterway. The existence, however, of low 

dams, diversion works, and other minor structures at the time any river is 

proposed for inclusion in the national wild and scenic rivers system shall not 

automatically bar its consideration for such inclusion: Provided, that this shall 

not be construed to authorize, intend, or encourage future construction of such 

structures within components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. 

When assessing free-flow, it is important to document the river’s in-channel condition and 

hydrologic function, any modifications of the waterway or banks, and how such modifications 

affect the river’s free-flowing condition. Rivers that have dams above, downstream, or on a 

tributary to the study segment, including those that regulate flow through the segment, along 

with the existence of minor dams, rip-rap, and other diversions within the segment, may still be 

eligible as long as the river is otherwise free-flowing and supports at least one ORV. River 

segments that do not meet these criteria are ineligible. 

2.1.1.2 Outstandingly Remarkable Values 

Outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs) are defined as the characteristics that make a river 

worthy of designation. These are river-related or river-dependent values that are unique, rare, or 

exemplary at a regional or national scale of comparison. They can include scenery, recreation, 

geology, cultural,5 fish, wildlife, or other similar values such as ecology, hydrology, botany, or 

5 The WSRA identifies both historic and cultural values, however, current best practice within NPS is to use the 

term ‘cultural’ to encompass both. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

paleontology resources. In addition, rivers with exceptional water quality may sometimes 

include water quality as an ORV. Only one ORV is needed for a river to be considered eligible. 

1. River-Dependent: ORVs must be river-related or river-dependent. They must be located in 

the river or on its shore lands (generally within one-quarter mile on either side of the river) 

and contribute substantially to the function of the river ecosystem, and/or owe their location 

or existence to the presence of the river. 

2. Unique, Rare, or Exemplary: ORVs must be unique, rare, or exemplary in a regional or 

national context: 

• Unique - One of a kind (e.g., a recreation ORV might be present if the river is the only 

one in the region that has year-around boatable flows) 

• Rare - Very uncommon (e.g., one of the only occurrences of freshwater mussel habitat in 

the region) 

• Exemplary - Conspicuous example from among a number of similar values on a regional 

or national scale that are themselves uncommon or extraordinary (e.g., one of the best 

spawning grounds for salmon in the region, or a series of unusual and distinctive riverrelated features [aggregate values] that together may qualify a segment as exhibiting an 

“outstandingly remarkable value”) 

3. Region of Comparison: The region of comparison should be delineated so that the river 

segments being analyzed can be compared to other similar rivers. Regions should not be so 

large as to unreasonably restrict ORVs to those that are nationally or internationally 

significant, nor so small that most river resources would qualify as rare or exemplary in some 

way. A region of comparison may be defined for each ORV as appropriate. For example, the 

region of comparison for recreational ORVs may be based on travel time for the population 

using the resource, while the region of comparison for cultural ORVs could be the area that 

historically was inhabited by a particular culture. Regions of comparison could include 

portions of a state, multiple states, or appropriately scaled hydrologic or physiographic 

regions. A key factor in determining the region of comparison is the availability of 

information to support evaluation. 

The determination that a river contains ORVs is a professional judgement based on the IDT and 

objective, scientific analysis. The Wild and Scenic River Study Process (IWSRCC 1999b) 

provides suggested criteria for each of the standard ORV categories. The NPS has developed 

additional guidance for cultural criteria (see Cultural_Resource_Values section of Appendix_B: 

Identifying Wild and Scenic River Values on Designated Rivers). In addition, for assistance 

with identifying and planning for scenic resources values, contact the NPS Visual Resources 

Program.6 These criteria are meant to be illustrative, not prescriptive or all-inclusive. 

The IDT can make modifications to tailor the criteria to a particular situation, and may choose to 

develop specific evaluative criteria appropriate for the resource and the river segments being 

evaluated. For example, criteria for resident fisheries might include specific parameters relating 

to habitat quality, diversity and value of species, natural reproduction, and size and vigor of fish. 

See Wild and Scenic River Review in the State of Utah: Process and Criteria for Interagency 

6 Additional information is available from the NPS Visual_Resources_Program website 

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Use (NPS, BLM, and USFS 1996) for examples of criteria that might be considered for various 

resources. 

Best practices for making appropriate ORV determinations are as follows: 

1. ORVs must be accurate, specific, and descriptive. 

• The ORV description should clearly articulate an aspect of the river’s 

regional/national significance and importance to the public. 

2. ORVs must be defensible. 

• The ORV definition should be clearly documented and based on professional 

observations by subject matter experts or scientific publications. 

3. ORVs must be specifically defined for individual river segments to make it feasible to protect 

and enhance them. 

• Describe any tangible resources associated with the ORV within a river segment. 

• Describe how the ORV changes or varies by river segment, or if the ORV is located 

within a portion of a segment. 

It may be helpful in some cases to rank the ORVs of similar rivers based on a given scale. 

Rating scales can be either qualitative or quantitative. 

Example of a qualitative scale: 

0 points: Value non-existent Not significant 

1 point: Less significant than most in the region Not significant 

2 points: Typical in the region Locally significant 

3 points: One of only a few this significant in the region Regionally significant 

4 points: The most significant in the region Regionally significant 

Example of a quantitative scale (for whitewater boating): 

1 point: Runnable less than 2 months/year 

2 points: Runnable 2 to 3 months/year 

3 points: Runnable 4 to 8 months/year 

4 points: Runnable 9 to 12 months/year 

Where applicable, determine the significance levels (and tentative ORVs) for each resource 

value by examining the results of the ranking. Decide upon an appropriate approach for each 

ORV. Regardless of the approach used, document the criteria used and apply the criteria 

consistently across segments. 

2.1.1.3 River Classification 

When a river is found eligible for WSR designation, it is assigned a preliminary river 

classification as wild, scenic, or recreational. Classification is based on the existence of water 

resource projects in the corridor, the level of shoreline development, accessibility to the river, 

and water quality at the time of designation. A river’s preliminary classification is not indicative 

of the outstandingly remarkable values for which a river might be added to the NWSRS. For 

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example, a scenic river segment need not possess outstanding scenery, and a recreational river 

segment need not have recreation identified as an outstandingly remarkable value. 

During the study process, establish a baseline inventory along the river segments to provide a 

framework for future management and to maintain the appropriate classification if it is 

designated. Describe structures and developments, river access, and the character and condition 

of instream flows, ORVs and water quality as soon as possible. This includes documenting 

historic or existing infrastructure that has modified the river corridor such as roads, railroads, 

bridges, and boat launches. The baseline inventory also provides guidance for the protective 

management required by the WSRA for any segments found eligible, or both eligible and 

suitable. 

Section 2(b) of the WSRA describes each class as follows: 

(1) Wild rivers: Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of 

impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds 

or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. These represent 

vestiges of primitive America. 

(2) Scenic rivers: Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of 

impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and 

shorelines largely undeveloped, but accessible in places by roads. 

(3) Recreational rivers: Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily 

accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along 

their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment or 

diversion in the past. 

The four criteria used in determining classification are 1) presence of water resource 

development, 2) shoreline development, 3) accessibility, and 4) water quality. For more 

information and guidance on classification, see Chapter 3 of this Reference Manual, the 1982 

Interagency Guidelines (NPS and USFS 1982), and the classification section and summary table 

in The Wild and Scenic River Study Process (IWSRCC 1999b). 

When conducting an eligibility assessment, NPS should document the process and findings, 

including the following: 

• Scope of the assessment 

• Process and criteria used 

• ORV statements for eligible river segments 

• Rationale for finding any segments ineligible 

• Sources of information and any public outreach conducted 

• Preliminary classification and rationale 

Suitability 

The final step in determining whether a river should be included in the NWSRS is a study of the 

river’s suitability. The suitability study includes public engagement and the appropriate 

environmental analysis required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), leading to 

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an agency decision on whether to recommend that a river segment be designated. Design a 

suitability study to address the following: 

• Should the river’s values (free-flow, water quality, and ORVs) be protected or are one or 

more other uses important enough to do otherwise? Evaluate the effects of designation 

and consider any potential projects that would be enhanced, curtailed, or foreclosed. 

• Will the river’s values be protected through designation? Is it the best method for 

protecting the river corridor? Examine the benefits and impacts of WSR designation and 

evaluate alternative protection options. 

• Is there a demonstrated commitment to protect the river by any non-federal entities that 

may be partially responsible for implementing protective management? 

Section 4(a) of the WSRA lists a number factors to be considered in determining whether a river 

is suitable for designation as a WSR: 

Each report... shall show... the characteristics which do or do not make the area a 

worthy addition to the system; the current status of land ownership and use in the 

area; the reasonably foreseeable potential uses of the land and water which 

would be enhanced, foreclosed, or curtailed if the area were included in the 

national wild and scenic rivers system; the Federal agency... by which it is 

proposed the area, should it be added to the system, be administered; the extent to 

which it is proposed that such administration, including the costs thereof, be 

shared by State and local agencies; and the estimated cost to the United States of 

acquiring necessary lands and interests in land and of administering the area, 

should it be added to the system. 

The suitability of a river involves considerable judgement on the part of the IDT. Controversial 

issues may influence whether a suitability recommendation is made but should not be the only 

basis for a decision. The Wild and Scenic River Study Process (IWSRCC 1999b) suggests some 

additional suitability factors that an IDT may want to consider during an analysis. See Chapter 2 

Section 2.1.5.1 Considerations Specific to Section 5(d)(1) Studies for further suitability 

considerations related to 5(d)(1) studies conducted within park units. 

Administrative Record, Decision File, and Record Management 

NPS is required to maintain management plans and studies that direct or provide guidance on 

future natural and cultural resource management.

7 Proper records management, particularly 

where NEPA review is required, may include a decision file, and if necessary, an administrative 

record.8 The final study documents should be sent to the NPS’s Electronic Technical 

Information Center (eTIC) to ensure proper archival and preservation of WSR studies. 

A decision file is not the same thing as an administrative record. A decision file is a collection of 

documents that details the agency’s decision-making process and provides the basis for an 

agency’s decision. An administrative record (AR) has a specific meaning under the 

7 See Director’s Order #11D: Records and Electronic Information Management 

8 See Director’s Order #12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making 

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Administrative Procedures Act: it is the record prepared after litigation is initiated. The 

Department of Interior (DOI) provides guidance on standardized procedures for compiling a 

decision file, and if necessary, an administrative record for judicial review.9 When the plan or 

study is done in conjunction with NEPA, consult the most current NPS NEPA Handbook for 

proper records management and organization.10 

Ensure that the decision file contains all relevant documentation, particularly any information or 

data used to support the decision. Relevant documentation can include hard copy 

correspondence and email, and phone call logs that include requests for additional information or 

discussions of project details. Also include source documents that have been summarized or 

incorporated by reference and any other substantive documents. 

Properly organize and retain the decision file and the AR when the decision results in litigation 

or judicial review. While an AR is generally drawn from the decision file, it does not necessarily 

include the entire decision file. A complete and well-organized AR will be invaluable in 

defending NPS’s position as well as helping NPS recall the specifics of a case. When in doubt 

about proper organization and records management for records that are part of litigation, consult 

with the Office of the Solicitor. 

Congressionally-authorized Studies under Section 5(a) 

Section 5(a) of the WSRA requires Congress to identify rivers for study as potential candidates 

for inclusion in the NWSRS. Studies initiated under Section 5(a) may be the result of efforts by 

local partners and conservation organizations, or an individual congressional delegate’s interest 

in a river. They may also result from a request by the current administration. Generally, Section 

5(a) studies must be completed and a report delivered to Congress within three full fiscal years 

following the date funding is made available for the study. 

During the study process and for three additional years after the study is transmitted to Congress 

for consideration, study rivers are afforded certain protections from the adverse impacts of 

hydropower and water resources development projects. WSRA Section 7(b) provides protection 

for study rivers during the study period and three-year timeframe similar to the protection 

provided by Section 7(a) for designated rivers. 

Wild and scenic river studies authorized by Congress are listed in a series of chronological 

amendments under Section 5(a) of the WSRA.11 Legislation authorizing a river study generally 

includes direction concerning the study segment location, the study period, and the department 

(Interior or Agriculture) responsible for the study. In some cases, there is also direction 

concerning study approaches and required findings in addition to the standard findings regarding 

the river’s eligibility, classification, and suitability. For example, the agency responsible for the 

study may be instructed to work with an advisory committee which may or may not be subject to 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act. In other cases, the study agency may be directed to assess 

9 See Department of Interior Standardized Guidance on Compiling a Decision File and an Administrative Record 

10 See National Park Service NEPA Handbook 11 A list of rivers that have been subject to a congressionally-authorized Section 5(a) study and their authorizing 

legislation can be found at the bottom of the Wild & Scenic River Studies page of the rivers.gov website. 

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the impact of designation on existing water resources projects, private lands, and other 

potentially affected resources. 

The NPS is frequently called upon to work with congressional offices to help draft river study 

legislation. When this happens, ensure that the Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs 

(OLCA) is involved, and that the NPS’s role is to provide technical assistance and not to take an 

advocacy role. The NPS may explain the study process, provide advice concerning the 

delineation of the study areas to avoid segment(s) that are obviously ineligible, and direct 

interested parties to examples of study authorization language and other relevant resources.

12 It 

is important to inform the appropriate members of the NPS WSR Steering Committee (including 

program leaders, regional representatives, and a Park Planning and Special Studies (PPSS) 

representative) of the interest in a new WSR study. 

For rivers that flow through park units or areas with no federal land, the NPS is usually the 

agency responsible for the WSR study (after delegation by the Secretary of the Interior). There 

are situations where study rivers flow though lands managed by more than one of the federal 

WSR-administering agencies, which include the NPS, BLM, USFS, and USFWS. In such 

instances, the agencies involved usually cooperate on the study. Other federal land managing 

agencies (e.g., Department of Defense and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation) are not typically 

members of the study team, although they would be consulted if the study area includes lands 

under their jurisdiction. 

2.1.4.1 Staffing, Funding, and Oversight 

Congressionally-authorized WSR studies are funded through the Special Resource Study (SRS) 

fund source managed by the PPSS division. Because of this, PPSS provides study oversight and 

policy direction, and coordinates the internal review of draft study reports by other Washington 

Support Office (WASO) programs. The various NPS regions are responsible for managing the 

studies in their area. Program Management Information System (PMIS) statements should be 

created at the beginning of a study as part of the process for developing a budget and managing 

the study. 

Under current practice, congressionally-authorized studies receive priority for funding, and the 

direction contained in the authorization will determine the extent of the area and resources under 

consideration. The NPS will normally shorten the study process if the initial review indicates that 

the proposed river does not meet the WSRA criteria for eligibility and suitability. 

Appropriations to cover study costs are sometimes authorized in an amendment to the WSRA. 

However, Congress seldom appropriates specific funds for individual studies. Instead, the NPS 

utilizes its SRS fund source, which covers all work done by the NPS on congressionallyauthorized studies and reconnaissance surveys. New WSR studies may be conducted in phases, 

based on funding and staff capacity. In such cases, NPS policy is to expend funds on ongoing 

studies first, followed by newly authorized studies in chronological order. 

12 See the PWSR Toolkit link on the PWSR website. 

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Initiation of an NPS Section 5(a) WSR study is usually triggered by an activation memo sent 

from the Director to the appropriate regional director, along with the assistant directors for the 

Directorates of Park Planning, Facilities and Lands (PPFL), and Partnerships and Civic 

Engagement (PCE). Seek advice from relevant program leads in the early stages of the study 

process for congressionally authorized WSR studies. 

Project agreements establishing regional and WASO roles and responsibilities, along with the 

study budget and schedule, are typically used to help manage expectations. Each congressional 

WSR study should have its own Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) project 

listing which should be used to handle both internal reviews and public outreach on the project. 

2.1.4.2 Study Process and Findings 

The first step in the study process is to convene an interdisciplinary team (IDT). The IDT 

determines the study river’s eligibility and suitability for designation based on an inventory and 

assessment of the river dependent resources and values. In addition, an important aspect of the 

river study is the analysis of alternative management approaches should the river be designated. 

Such approaches are likely to differ depending on whether the candidate river is located within 

an existing park unit, is proposed to become a park unit, or is following the Partnership Wild and 

Scenic Rivers (PWSR) model. By default, all newly designated WSRs managed by the NPS 

become park units.

13 However, rivers that follow the partnership approach may have specific 

designating language that excludes them from being considered a national park unit. 

Study rivers located in areas with little federal land are usually evaluated using the partnership 

WSR approach. This model relies on voluntary state and local land use controls and non-federal 

conservation ownership to protect riverfront lands and WSR values. See additional guidance on 

the PWSR website. For a partnership study river to be found suitable for designation, there must 

be strong evidence that local communities are willing to self-regulate, and to work cooperatively 

with agencies at all levels of government, along with residents and non-government 

organizations (NGOs), to permanently protect the river’s ORVs, water quality, and free-flowing 

condition. Generally, federal land acquisition and the creation of a new NPS unit are not 

considered to be appropriate river management tools under the partnership approach. 

To ensure that a partnership study river’s long-term resource protection needs are met if it is 

designated, the NPS typically works with the study committee to assess the river’s vulnerabilities 

and to prepare a CRMP during the study process. This plan serves to inform local residents and 

state and local governments about the commitment they make if they vote in support of 

designation. If the partnership study river is not designated, most aspects of the plan are still 

relevant and can be implemented even though there would be no permanent NPS role in helping 

protect the river. If the river is designated, the plan is used to satisfy WSRA planning 

requirements (see Chapter 2 Section 2.3.1.3 Comprehensive River Management Plans for 

Partnership Rivers). 

The WSR study report clearly and objectively explains the eligibility and suitability findings. 

NPS WSR study reports for park-based rivers must also address the fiscal impact of additional 

13 See WSRA Section 10(c) 

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WSR management responsibilities. Best practice is to consult with and follow the Park Planning 

program guidance for adding new units or management responsibilities to the National Park 

System associated with SRS fund source. Current best practice guidance encourages use of 

Total Cost of Facility Ownership in consultation with regional and national planning offices. 

Analysis includes identifying costs for operations, resource protection, and interpretation; the 

construction of necessary new facilities; and the repair or rehabilitation of existing structures 

within a potential park boundary area. 

2.1.4.3 Coordination 

Sections 4(b) and 5(c) of the WSRA provide direction to cooperate with and seek comment from 

other federal agencies and affected states when conducting 5(a) studies: 

Section 4(b): Before submitting any such report to the President and the 

Congress, copies of the proposed report shall, unless it was prepared jointly by 

the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, be submitted by the 

Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Agriculture or by the Secretary of 

Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior, as the case may be, and to the 

Secretary of the Army, the Chairman of the Federal Power Commission, the head 

of any other affected Federal department or agency and, unless the lands 

proposed to be included in the area are already owned by the United States or 

have already been authorized for acquisition by Act of Congress, the Governor of 

the State or States in which they are located or an officer designated by the 

Governor to receive the same. Any recommendations or comments on the 

proposal which the said officials furnish the Secretary or Secretaries who 

prepared the report within ninety days of the date on which the report is 

submitted to them, together with the Secretary’s or Secretaries’ comments 

thereon, shall be included with the transmittal to the President and the Congress. 

Section 5(c): The study...of said rivers shall be pursued in as close cooperation 

with appropriate agencies of the affected State and its political subdivisions as 

possible, shall be carried on jointly with such agencies if request for such joint 

study is made by the State, and shall include a determination of the degree to 

which the State or its political subdivisions might participate in the preservation 

and administration of the river should it be proposed for inclusion in the national 

wild and scenic rivers system. 

2.1.4.4 National Environmental Policy Act Requirements 

Guidance on implementing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is provided in Director’s 

Order #12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-making (NPS 

2011) and the accompanying NPS NEPA Handbook (NPS 2015b). These guidance materials set 

forth general NPS policy and procedures necessary to meet NEPA requirements. NPS staff 

conducting wild and scenic river studies are encouraged to seek specific guidance on NEPArelated requirements from their regional environmental coordinator (REC) and the 

Environmental Planning and Compliance Branch of the NRSS Environmental Quality Division 

(EQD). 

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The Council on Environmental Quality regulations require that agencies identify actions that 

normally require preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). The NPS NEPA 

Handbook states that an EIS is normally required for proposals to designate WSRs. However, 

the NPS NEPA Handbook also notes that an EIS is not required in every situation. The 

appropriate level of NEPA review will depend on the NPS activity that is under consideration. 

In some cases, a WSR study may fall under a category of actions described under an existing 

Categorical Exclusion (CE).14 In other cases, an Environmental Assessment (EA) or 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) may be appropriate. 15 

For example, during the WSR study of the River Styx located within Oregon Cave National 

Monument, a CE was selected as the appropriate NEPA process since the river was located 

wholly within the park’s boundaries, and there was negligible potential for impacts to the human 

environment associated with designation. In contrast, an Environmental Assessment (EA) was 

conducted as part of the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Study Report. The lower 

Farmington River and Salmon Brook were determined to be both eligible and suitable for 

designation. The EA addressed the proposed action of designation and identified the best longterm conservation strategies for protecting and enhancing the river segments. 

For advice on the appropriate NEPA process and the required NEPA-related documentation, 

contact your REC. In addition, it is important to note that although a WSR study report is not a 

NEPA document under an existing CE, public outreach remains an integral component of all 

WSR studies. Extensive public outreach and collaboration on management alternatives is 

essential for the PWSR study process. 

Agency-directed Wild and Scenic River Studies under Section 5(d)(1) 

Section 5(d)(1) of the WSRA requires federal agencies to conduct studies of river eligibility and 

suitability during regular or routine planning efforts. The study process and criteria used for 

agency-directed 5(d)(1) studies are basically the same as for congressionally-authorized 5(a) 

study rivers. Section 5(d)(1) states the following: 

In all planning for the use and development of water and related land resources, 

consideration shall be given by all federal agencies involved to potential national 

wild, scenic and recreational river areas, and all river basin and project plan 

reports submitted to the Congress shall consider and discuss any such potential. 

The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall make specific 

studies and investigations to determine which additional wild, scenic and 

recreational river areas within the United States shall be evaluated in planning 

reports by all federal agencies as potential alternative uses of the water and 

related land resources involved. 

The NPS implements this legal requirement of the WSRA through policy directives, consistent 

with the approach taken by other federal WSR administering agencies. The NPS Director issued 

Special Directive 90-4 (NPS 1995), requiring the NPS to determine which rivers in the National 

14 See Existing Categorical Exclusions, U.S. Department of the Interior, As of June 4, 2020 

15 Study reports completed by NPS are available at the NPS History eLibrary and NPS-completed WSR Study 

Reports. 

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Park System were eligible for inclusion in the NWSRS. Special Directive 90-4 was superseded 

by Sections 2.3.1.9 and 4.3.4 of Management Policies 2006 (NPS 2006), which direct that rivers 

in park units be studied for both their eligibility and suitability for inclusion in the NWSRS. The 

NPS has since modified its initial findings for many park units with more-detailed eligibility 

studies. Eligibility and suitability studies are usually conducted by the park units and/or regional 

planning programs as part of broad-based park planning efforts. For work accomplished to date, 

see Appendix_C: List of Eligible Rivers and Nationwide Rivers Inventory by Park.

16 

The Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI) was originally prepared in partial fulfillment of Section 

5(d)(1) and lists free-flowing river segments in the U.S. that are believed to possess one or more 

“outstandingly remarkable” natural or cultural values judged to be of regional significance. The 

NRI provides NPS planners and administrators with a starting point when conducting required 

agency-initiated WSRA Section 5(d)(1) river studies. A list of rivers included on the NRI can be 

found on the NRI website. See Chapter 2 Section 2.1.5.3 National Park Service River 

Inventories for more information about the history of the NRI and associated responsibilities. 

As directed by the WSRA and restated and implemented through policy directives including 

Sections 2.3.1.8 and 4.3.4 of Management Policies 2006 (NPS 2006), potential WSRs shall be 

studied and considered in park planning for the use and development of water and related land 

resources. Resource managers in parks must protect rivers found to be eligible for WSR 

designation. The responsibility to protect river values (using non-WSRA authorities) once a river 

is found eligible and/or suitable, or is on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory, is the default (no 

action alternative) under NEPA -- it is the status quo for the area. Section 5(d)(1) of the WSRA 

starts out by saying: "In all planning for the use and development of water and related land 

resources, consideration shall be given by all Federal agencies involved to potential national 

wild, scenic and recreational river areas." 

Agency decisions regarding the use and development of water and related resources on the lands 

it manages require NEPA analyses if the proposed changes in use or development meet the 

"major federal action" threshold under NEPA. This requirement applies to those river values that 

were identified by the agency, regardless of whether the original inventory process that identified 

the river values involved NEPA. It is possible that an agency will choose to recommend an 

action alternative in a future project-level NEPA document that results in the degradation or loss 

of one or more river values for an eligible, suitable or NRI wild and scenic river, but not without 

a full analysis of alternatives, public comment, and the finding that this action is preferred 

overall. 

Management Policies 2006 (NPS 2006) Section 4.3.4 states that “[n]o management actions may 

be taken that could adversely affect the values that qualify a river for inclusion in the NWSRS.” 

This Management Policy directive can be accomplished in the following ways: 

• At a minimum, if the NPS did not conduct WSR assessments during previous planning 

processes (e.g., unit management plans or other relevant plans in the planning portfolio 

where the scope and geographic area of the plan includes river resources), the NPS will 

assess whether rivers within park unit boundaries are eligible, or eligible and suitable, for 

16 Specific examples include the Skagit River in NOCA 

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inclusion in the NWSRS. The NPS will compile and maintain a listing of all rivers and 

river segments in the National Park System that it considers eligible for the NWSRS. 

• For park units with NRI-listed rivers or that have conducted eligibility inventories in the 

past, the planning process provides an opportunity to review eligibility assessments and 

update them as needed for changed circumstances or improved knowledge of river 

resources. If suitability analysis has not been conducted, consider conducting the 

analysis during the current planning process. 

• If the NPS identifies rivers as eligible or both eligible and suitable, incorporate the results 

of their assessments and any protective management requirements into the plan. The plan 

must not propose any actions that could adversely affect the values that qualify an 

eligible river for inclusion in the NWSRS. The NPS must protect eligible river segments 

as if they were designated. While these segments are not protected under Section 7 of the 

WSRA, the NPS should use its other authorities (e.g., Organic Act, Redwood Act, etc.) to 

protect the river’s free-flowing character, ORVs, and water quality. The WSRA’s 

protective management requirements do not apply to rivers found unsuitable for 

designation. 

• The NEPA analysis for any proposed project on or near an eligible or eligible and 

suitable river must include an assessment of the project’s effects on the river’s values that 

make it eligible for designation. On rivers that have been found eligible but have not 

gone through a suitability determination, the suitability assessment must be conducted as 

part of NEPA project review on any project that has the potential to negatively affect the 

free-flow, water quality, and values or ORVs that make the river eligible for designation. 

• While there are often efficiencies in bundling the identification of eligible or eligible and 

suitable rivers with other park planning projects, the NPS can also conduct eligibility and 

suitability analyses under Section 5(d)(1) at any time as a stand-alone planning process. 

There is no need to wait until a larger planning process begins to do such studies. 

• Historically, not all park units have conducted river inventories, but it is important for 

park units to conduct these river studies consistent with the mandates in the WSRA and 

NPS policies. Obtaining an accurate understanding of the significance of river resources 

within parks provides NPS staff with tools for selecting and implementing best 

management practices. In addition, the lack of eligibility/suitability studies has been a 

trigger for litigation against other federal land management agencies. 

2.1.5.1 Considerations Specific to Section 5(d)(1) Studies 

Although the study process and criteria used for agency-directed 5(d)(1) studies are basically the 

same as for congressionally-authorized 5(a) study rivers, some aspects of the agency-directed 

5(d)(1) studies are different and require additional consideration. Study process considerations 

that are specific to 5(d)(1) studies include choosing the study area, delineating river segments, 

and making a suitability determination. 

2.1.5.1.1 Choosing the Study Area 

Choose the geographic scope and scale of the 5(d)(1) assessment wisely. There is no one right 

way. Below are some potential approaches that could be used separately or in combination to 

identify the geographic area to be evaluated: 

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1. Consider the geographic area of the study you are conducting and assess all river 

segments in that area. If the area includes the whole park unit, then evaluate all rivers 

within the whole park unit. 

2. Use the NRI and/or previous eligibility assessments as a starting point. Rivers on the 

NRI are potentially eligible rivers and planning processes offer the opportunity to update 

this preliminary assessment. 

3. Limit the scope to a single river or a group of high priority rivers within the park unit. 

4. Start the assessment broadly, with all rivers in the park unit, and conduct a cursory 

review with the IDT to narrow the list of river segments that may possibly be eligible. 

Then conduct a more detailed review on those segments. 

5. Reach out to interested stakeholders and ask for nominations for river segments they 

would like the NPS to consider, as well as any other information they have on rivers in 

the park unit. 

6. Use a watershed approach and collaborate with other agencies when portions of the 

watershed are outside of the park unit’s boundary. 

Once the geographic area is selected, a decision must be made regarding the specific area to 

evaluate along individual river segments. Section 4(d) of the WSRA defines the study area 

for congressionally-authorized studies under Section 5(a) to be generally one-quarter mile 

from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) on each side of the river. While this doesn’t 

directly apply to Section 5(d)(1) river studies, in many cases a one-quarter mile distance from 

the OHWM makes sense to use as a study area for 5(d)(1) studies as well. Include 

recommendations for preliminary boundaries in the study reports for eligible 5(d)(1) 

segments to highlight the land area where NPS should focus the greatest management 

attention. 

2.1.5.1.2 River Segment Delineation 

The assessment can group river segments based on similar characteristics, such as landscape, 

geomorphology, recreational character, administrative units (i.e., type of park unit, wilderness, 

etc.), level of development, and/or hydrology. Avoid multiple short segments if values are 

unlikely to vary across segments. Avoid long segments if they include different types of 

resources. 

2.1.5.1.3 Suitability Determination 

Section 5(d)(1) studies of river suitability conducted within park units may be simplified since 

the river resources are already under NPS management. However, public support or opposition 

is an important component of suitability determination. Because of this, reach out to interested 

stakeholders including local, state, tribal, and federal governments; recreation and conservation 

organizations; adjacent landowners; and the general public. In addition, review plans and 

policies of other governmental and nonprofit organizations for consistency or inconsistency with 

WSR designation. 

The suitability study can be done as a stand-alone process at the park managers’ discretion. 

However, it is often more efficient to incorporate the suitability study with other park planning 

processes because the NEPA analysis and public outreach efforts can be combined. Regardless, 

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the NPS must conduct a suitability study anytime a proposed project could foreclose eligibility. 

Protective measures apply until a decision is made on the future use of the river and adjacent 

lands either through an Act of Congress to designate the river as part of the NWSRS, or a 

determination that the river is not suitable for designation. 

2.1.5.2 Protective Management for Eligible Rivers 

Unlike Congressional study rivers, rivers identified as eligible, or eligible and suitable, for WSR 

designation through the Section 5(d)(1) inventory process are not protected from the impacts of 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower or federal water resources projects 

under Section 7(b) of the WSRA. However, the resources that make such rivers eligible for 

designation must nonetheless be protected using other land and water resource management 

authorities. For eligible rivers located within NPS units (See Appendix_C: List of Eligible 

Rivers and Nationwide Rivers Inventory by Park), both the WSRA and the 2006 Management 

Policies (NPS 2006) provide explicit direction regarding the protection of rivers found eligible, 

or eligible and suitable, for designation. 

The WSRA instructs all federal agencies to consider potential WSRs in all planning for the use 

and development of water and related land resources. This direction applies to the NPS in its 

stewardship of lands and waters within NPS units. Agency plans and decisions that could affect 

potential WSRs must include an evaluation of the effects of proposed actions on the resources 

that make the rivers eligible for designation, namely their free-flowing status, water quality, and 

potential ORVs. Furthermore, the NPS’s own 2006 Management Policies (NPS 2006) state that 

“[n]o management actions will be taken that could adversely affect the values that qualify a river 

for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System” (Section 4.3.4). This means that 

the impacts of all proposed management actions that could affect an eligible WSR need to be 

assessed before a decision is made regarding which alternative to implement. 

While WSRA Section 7 does not apply, the impact assessment framework used in making 

Section 7 determinations provides a useful approach for evaluating potential impacts on 5(d)(1) 

eligible rivers (as well as rivers on the NRI). See the evaluation procedure outline in Appendix 

C of Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Section 7 (IWSRCC 2004). Project or decision-related impacts 

that could rise to the level of creating an adverse effect on the river’s free-flowing status, water 

quality, or potential ORVs must be disclosed in the NEPA document associated with the project 

or decision. Preferred alternatives should not include actions that would render the river 

ineligible. 

Management actions that could potentially affect the eligibility of inventoried rivers include the 

following: 

• Construction or expansion of infrastructure affecting the river’s bed, banks, floodplain 

and adjacent wetlands, including roads, bridges, hardened trails, boat ramps, bank 

stabilization, buildings, parking areas and other cleared or hardened surfaces, and utility 

corridors 

• The granting of easements and rights-of-way across or adjacent to the eligible river, 

affecting potential ORVs 

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• Development of water supply, wastewater disposal, and small hydropower energy 

projects for park use 

• Siting of communications towers 

• Disposal and leasing of NPS lands adjacent to the eligible river 

However, additional development is possible provided that projects are designed and 

implemented in a manner that avoids adverse effects, protects and enhances river values, and 

maintains a river’s classification (wild, scenic or recreational) consistent with the management 

direction of the WSRA. 

2.1.5.3 National Park Service River Inventories 

There have been two large-scale river inventory efforts conducted by the NPS in partial 

fulfillment of Section 5(d)(1) of the WSRA: the NRI, which includes rivers both within and 

outside NPS units, and Special Directive 90-4 (NPS 1995), which specifically targeted rivers 

within park units. To facilitate identification of eligible/suitable and NRI rivers within park 

units, the NPS created a database and map of this information. See Appendix_C: List of Eligible 

Rivers and Nationwide Rivers Inventory by Park. 

2.1.5.3.1 Nationwide Rivers Inventory 

The NRI is a listing of over 3,200 free-flowing river segments in the United States that are 

believed to possess one or more ORVs judged to be of more than local significance. These rivers 

are thus potential candidates for inclusion in the NWSRS. Although the NPS has responsibility 

for maintaining the NRI, the list of rivers on the NRI includes rivers that extend beyond the 

boundaries of the NPS, as well as rivers on other federal lands, and rivers on state, local, tribal 

and private lands. The NRI provides NPS planners and administrators with a starting point when 

conducting 5(d)(1) studies. A list of rivers included on the NRI can be found on the NRI 

website. When conducting additional eligibility and suitability studies on NRI rivers, consult 

with the regional WSR Steering Committee (SC) Representative and the database manager to 

ensure that the SC Representative is aware of the results and that the eligibility/suitability 

database is updated with any new findings. 

Under Section 5(d)(1) and related guidance, all federal agencies must seek to avoid or mitigate 

actions that would adversely affect NRI river segments. NRI segments that are managed by NPS 

are considered potentially eligible for WSR designation. Therefore, they are treated like 

‘eligible’ rivers for the purpose of protective management. The NPS implements these 

requirements for NRI river segments through provisions in Sections 2.3.1.9 and 4.3.4 of 

Management Policies 2006 (NPS 2006). Additional guidance includes Executive Memorandum 

to the Secretary of the Interior dated August 2, 1979, and the related Memorandum for Heads of 

Agencies: Interagency Consultation to Avoid or Mitigate Adverse Effects on Rivers in the NRI 

(Council on Environment Quality 1980): 

“Each Federal agency shall, as part of its normal planning and environmental review process, 

take care to avoid or mitigate adverse effects on rivers identified in the Nationwide Inventory 

prepared by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service in the Department of the Interior. 

Agencies shall, as part of their normal environmental review process, consult with the Heritage 

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Conservation and Recreation Service prior to taking actions which could effectively foreclose 

wild, scenic, or recreational river status on rivers in the Inventory.” 

The NRI is also listed as a comprehensive plan under Section 10(a)(2)(A) of the FPA. This act 

requires FERC to consider the extent to which a project is consistent with federal or state 

comprehensive plans. 

Federal agencies must consult with the NPS17 prior to taking actions that would effectively 

foreclose wild and scenic designation of NRI rivers. Additional guidance on consultation 

procedures is available on the NRI website. A key point from this guidance is that the federal 

action agency, not NPS, makes the final decision about taking an action that could preclude 

future designation of a WSR as part of its NEPA process. In addition, the federal action agency 

may move forward with the proposed action if NPS does not respond within 30 days. 

2.1.5.3.2 Nationwide Rivers Inventory Additions and Deletions 

The process for addition of rivers to the NRI or deletion of rivers from the NRI involves the 

following steps: 

1. A request is made for a formal assessment from an agency, organization, or individual to 

the NPS NRI contact for the state where the segment is located. Alternatively, a 

responsible federal or state natural resource agency may submit a request to the NRI 

contact, to staff within the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Association, or to the NPS 

WSR Program for an assessment. The following information should be included: river 

name, county location, reach description, length of river miles, year listed, potential 

classification, potential ORVs, and description of the reach. Requests for deletions 

should contain justification for the proposed deletion, e.g., construction of a dam or 

diversion project which destroys the free-flowing character of the river, additional 

development which seriously diminishes the scenic, recreational or other outstanding 

qualities of the river, or other activities or construction that affect the eligibility of the 

segment. 

2. The NPS NRI contact evaluates three criteria to determine whether to recommend a 

change in the NRI. The criteria include: 1) the free-flowing condition, 2) the existence 

of at least one outstandingly remarkable value, and 3) the level of development along the 

river. The assessment should be brief and generally limited to one page. It is not as 

rigorous an evaluation as a WSR study and does not qualify a river for eligibility and/or 

suitability in the National WSR System. However, the recommendation should be 

informed by gathering information through a literature review, a site visit, and 

engagement with appropriate agency staff or partners (e.g., an agency if the river segment 

is on federal or state land) to determine if the segment should be added to or deleted from 

the NRI. 

17 Typically, the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program or regional compliance staff are 

assigned this responsibility, as determined by the appropriate regional director. See NRI contacts. 

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3. The recommendation is sent to the NPS WSR Program lead(s). Based on the assessment 

and recommendation, the NPS WSR Program lead will provisionally add a river segment 

to, or delete a river segment from, the official NRI database. 

Past practice and guidance notes that formal additions and deletions were periodically announced 

and transmitted to federal agency heads by the responsible departmental official through a 

Federal Register Notice. This guidance was last reviewed in 2002 and is under review by the 

WSR Steering Committee to determine the appropriate process and signatory level. 

In 2017, the NRI was upgraded to a new GIS database and linked to the National Hydrography 

Dataset. Technical corrections were made to remove duplicate segments and segments that have 

been designated as part of the NWSRS. Technical corrections, including obvious errors, may be 

done without formal notice to federal agency heads. 

2.1.5.4 Management Considerations for Section 2(a)(ii) Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Unlike rivers added to the NWSRS by Congress through amendments to Section 3(a), Section 

2(a)(ii) WSRs are not subject to several requirements described in Section 3 of the WSRA: 

• Specifically, 2(a)(ii) WSRs (otherwise referred to as State-administered rivers) are not 

required to have CRMPs. However, there should be evidence that the state requesting 

designation has the intent and resources to achieve the WSRA’s purposes, as expressed in 

Sections 1(b) and 10(a). In its review of a state’s application for designation, be mindful 

of the fact that the river may or may not have a state or local management plan. While 

the NPS and the DOI cannot mandate preparation and updates to such a plan, issues that 

would otherwise be addressed in a CRMP are nevertheless relevant in determining 

whether the state will achieve WSR stewardship requirements. 

• Because no CRMP is required, there is no mandate for the state or local entity that will 

manage the 2(a)(ii) WSR to address user capacity of the river. However, the state should 

describe how the river’s recreational and other values will be protected from adverse 

impacts due to increasing or changing visitor use. As a critical aspect of determining the 

suitability of the river for designation, it is necessary to understand what mechanism is 

envisioned to monitor the river, its ORV status, and management considerations, 

including recreational usage, over time. 

• Finally, boundaries are not required for 2(a)(ii) WSRs. However, the NPS’s review 

should focus on evidence of measures that would protect the river and its immediate 

environment, including land ownership, land use regulations for private lands, and other 

circumstances that ensure that the river’s WSR values would be permanently protected 

and enhanced. Lateral boundaries also create more clarity with respect to Section 7 

determinations because 1) they delineate areas within which proposed FERC hydropower 

project works on uplands would be prohibited, even if the portion of the hydropower 

project below ordinary high water mark (OHWM) is outside the WSR segment, and 2) 

they identify tributary segments on which proposed federal water resource projects would 

be evaluated under the “direct and adverse” standard rather than “invade or unreasonably 

diminish.” 

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2.1.5.4.1 National Park Service Special Directive 90-4 

In 1990, the Director issued Special Directive 90-4 (NPS 1995) requiring the NPS to determine 

which rivers in the National Park System were eligible for inclusion in the NWSRS. Many park 

units have conducted more-detailed eligibility studies since the directive was issued. 

Special Directive 90-4 (NPS 1995) was superseded by Sections 2.3.1.9 and 4.3.4 of Management 

Policies 2006 (NPS 2006), which direct the NPS to study rivers in park units to determine their 

eligibility and suitability for inclusion in the NWSRS. As stated previously, once a river in a 

park unit has been found eligible for WSR designation, river managers must ensure that the 

resources related to the river’s eligibility (including its free-flowing condition and potential 

ORVs) are protected unless the river is subsequently found non-suitable for designation. Many 

of the results from the 90-4 initiative can be found on the NPS Planning Documents Eligibility 

and Suitability Studies internal website. 

2.1.5.4.2 Eligible/Suitable Database 

In 2016, the NPS developed a Database of Eligible/Suitable Rivers that NPS has studied and 

found eligible, or eligible and suitable. It also includes potentially eligible rivers identified in the 

NRI that are in park units but have not been further evaluated. All project managers and 

planners should update this database when new studies and plans are completed as part of project 

closeout, including studies done via 5(a), 5(d)(1), 2(a)(ii) evaluation or reconnaissance surveys. 

Notify your regional WSR Steering Committee representative and contact the database 

manager/reference owner for assistance with updating the database.18 This database is a good 

starting point for identifying rivers that have been previously found eligible or potentially 

eligible. While it doesn’t currently include a comprehensive list of rivers that were studied and 

found ineligible, the goal is to list all rivers that have been studied or inventoried by the NPS, 

along with the outcome of these efforts. See Appendix_C: List of Eligible Rivers and 

Nationwide Rivers Inventory by Park for a list of rivers included in the database by region and 

park. 

Secretarial Wild and Scenic River Designation Requests under Section 2(a)(ii) 

2.1.6.1 National Park Service Review Process of Applications by States 

Section 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA provides a process for rivers that have already been protected “by 

or pursuant to an Act of the legislature of the state or states through which they flow” to be 

added to the NWSRS by the Secretary of the Interior upon request from the appropriate state 

governor(s). The following conditions apply to the Section 2(a)(ii) designation process: 

• Responsibility for reviewing the request and evaluating eligibility and suitability of 

proposed designation is delegated by the Office of the Secretary to the NPS. That review 

is then delegated by the NPS to the appropriate region with support from the WASO 

WSR Program Office. As of January 2018, the NPS WSR Program is co-coordinated by 

the Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Division in the Partnership and Civic 

18 See NPS Data Store for information about updates to the Eligible/Suitable Rivers Database. 

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Engagement Directorate and the Water Resources Division, within the Natural Resource 

Stewardship and Science directorate, both of which may work with relevant regional and 

WASO offices to ensure the requirements of Section 2(a)(ii) are met. 

• The state applicant does not fund the NPS’s review of Section 2(a)(ii) designation 

requests, and no NPS or DOI account has been established to support such requests. 

Determining who will perform the work and how to fund it is decided case-by-case, 

given the rarity of requests. Consultation with the NPS WSR Steering Committee will 

help ensure that effort and costs are appropriate and that NPS’s best expertise will be 

utilized. 

• The relevant NPS region works with the WSR Program Office to identify appropriate 

staff to work with the state and to perform the 2(a)(ii) evaluation. Typically, regional 

Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) or WSR Program staff with 

experience performing WSR studies and working with river conservation stakeholders 

conduct the evaluation. Often, regional RTCA or WSR staff are already aware of a 

state’s interest in 2(a)(ii) designation and may have provided informal technical 

assistance to explain the process prior to the formal request. Ideally, the review and 

recommendation are completed within a year; however, a year may be unrealistic due to 

the initial referral period, the need to identify appropriate staff and resources, internal 

review periods, and a 90-day agency review period. 

• The region identifies a project lead for the evaluation. The project lead establishes a new 

project in the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) system with a publicfacing side to facilitate the publishing of the application materials, the draft NPS findings 

regarding eligibility and suitability, and the collection of comments during the required 

90-day agency review period. 

• For rivers that have previously been listed for study under Section 5(a) of the WSRA, a 

governor’s application for designation under Section 2(a)(ii) triggers interim protection 

under Section 7(b)(ii) lasting for one year from the date of receipt of the application. 

This period of interim protection applies regardless of the outcome of the prior 5(a) 

study. 

• Upon receipt of a state’s request for 2(a)(ii) designation, the DOI, through the NPS, is 

required to inform FERC and to publish a notice in the Federal Register (FR). 

o FERC Notification: WSR Program staff will work with the regional NPS 

hydropower coordinator to identify if there are any existing FERC-authorized 

hydropower projects in the area proposed for WSR designation. If a FERC 

project is identified, the NPS Project manager prepares a letter and files it as a 

comment to the appropriate project docket in the FERC eLibrary. This letter may 

be signed by the WSR Program lead. If no FERC project is identified, the NPS 

project manager prepares a general notification letter to send to the Secretary of 

FERC. In either case, the WSR Program lead should forward a copy of the letter 

to the FERC Hydropower Licensing and Compliance Chiefs by email, notifying 

them that it has been filed. (See Appendix_E: Section 2(a)(ii) Sample Materials 

(under development)). 

o FR Notice: WSR Program staff work with NPS’s FR Liaison to publish a notice 

of the application in the FR. (See Appendix_E: Section 2(a)(ii) Sample Materials 

(under development)). 

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o The FR notice includes a link to the publicly accessible PEPC site with the actual 

application letter and background materials. 

• The 2(a)(ii) evaluation process and designation decision triggers NEPA. The appropriate 

level of NEPA analysis may vary depending upon the details of the river application. In 

a case where little or no federal lands are involved, no known water resource 

development projects are likely to be impacted, and the overall level of impact may be 

preservation of the “status quo,” a categorical exclusion under NEPA may apply. Where 

substantial implications could exist for management of federal lands or waters, an EA 

may be warranted. The appropriate level of NEPA review should be considered at the 

outset of the project in consultation with WASO or Regional Environmental Compliance 

staff. 

• Criteria and standards for determining if a river is eligible and suitable for designation are 

the same for all rivers (i.e., WSRA Section 2[b]). The burden is upon the state applicant 

to furnish all information necessary for the NPS to perform the review. The governor’s 

2(a)(ii) designation request normally includes such background materials, documenting 

the state’s existing protection framework for the candidate river, along with resource 

information describing the river’s free-flowing character, water quality, and potential 

ORVs. 

• As with Section 5(a) and 5(d)(1) studies, the first step in the Section 2(a)(ii) review 

process is to determine whether the candidate river is free-flowing and possesses one or 

more ORVs. The river’s baseline water quality, and the relationship between this and the 

condition of its ORVs, is also described. 

• Section 2(a)(ii) candidate rivers are then assigned a preliminary classification based on 

the criteria in the WSRA and 1982 Interagency Guidelines (NPS and USFS 1982). 

• The suitability determination is based on the state’s administrative framework. The state 

must administer 2(a)(ii) WSRs at no expense to the federal government apart from the 

costs of performing Section 7 reviews (see Chapter 4, Section 4.1 Statutory Background), 

managing any existing federal land along the river, or through Land and Water 

Conservation Fund grants awarded to the state or municipalities for projects adjacent to 

the river. As a result, it must be demonstrated that the state is clearly committed to 

protecting and enhancing a 2(a)(ii) candidate river’s values without the need for federal 

land acquisition or co-management. A state river management program or lawful and 

established management arrangement should exist for the river. Where local government 

participation is important, the affected governments should be supportive of designation, 

and they should take steps to ensure that land use regulations are consistent with WSRA 

protection standards. 

• The NPS regional office performing the evaluation works with the WSR Program Office 

to solicit WASO review of the internal draft document. A revised draft evaluation is then 

completed and placed on the public-facing PEPC site. The Notice of Availability (NOA) 

of this draft evaluation may be published in the FR and/or noticed through a combination 

of press releases and letters sent directly to a comprehensive list of interested state and 

federal agencies. The review period is typically for a 90-day comment period in 

accordance with Section 4(c) of the WSRA. Though not specifically stipulated in the 

WSRA, public review is invited at the same time. Comments may be through PEPC or 

written comments directed to the project manager. 

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• Once the NPS completes its review of the 2(a)(ii) application, the Director transmits the 

evaluation and supporting documents, including a summary of comments received on the 

draft, to the DOI Secretary through the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and 

Parks. The Secretary then decides whether to designate the river. If the Secretary 

decides in favor, that decision is published in the FR, completing the review process; 

there is no requirement to publish an unfavorable decision. 

• The NPS regional office performing the evaluation works with the WSR Program Office 

to solicit WASO review of the internal draft document. Consult with the NPS regional 

environmental compliance office and NPS WSR Steering Committee for guidance. Once 

the internal draft document is completed, Section 4(c) requires a 90-day review by the 

heads of specific federal agencies, prior to a Secretarial decision to approve or disapprove 

inclusion in the NWSRS. 

2.1.6.2 Wild and Scenic River Reconnaissance Surveys 

In some cases when there is strong local interest in authorizing a formal study of a river’s 

eligibility and suitability for designation under Section 5(a) of the WSRA, but where Congress 

has not yet approved such legislation, local congressional members may request that the NPS 

perform a preliminary evaluation of the river’s qualifications. Such studies are commonly 

known as “reconnaissance surveys,” which gather existing information about the river. Requests 

for these surveys are routed through the NPS OLCA to the WASO PPSS division, which then 

works with the relevant region to conduct the surveys. 

Authority for conducting reconnaissance surveys comes from 54 USC 100507(b)(5), “Additional 

Areas for the NPS System,” which limits the cost to $25,000. These costs are normally covered 

by the SRS fund source. Initiation of a reconnaissance survey may need to be phased due to 

competing funding and staffing needs associated with congressionally-authorized studies and 

other kinds of special studies. For more information about reconnaissance surveys in general, 

consult with your regional planning program office and WSR Steering Committee representative. 

2.1.6.3 Survey Scope and Findings 

While WSR reconnaissance surveys utilize the same eligibility and suitability criteria that apply 

to all candidate rivers, the survey is far more limited in scope than a 5(a) study. Survey findings 

focus on the candidate river’s likely eligibility for WSR designation and are based solely on 

existing information, which may be quite limited. The survey report should note such limitations 

to help inform future work (e.g., a 2(a)(ii) designation nomination or Section 5(a) study) should 

the community choose to support such efforts.19 

Notably, reconnaissance surveys are not subject to NEPA because they do not involve major 

federal decisions affecting the environment. Because of this and a limited survey budget, no 

public participation is included and no advisory committee is convened to support public 

outreach. Survey findings regarding the river’s suitability for designation are based on the 

objective evaluation of existing, readily available information, not on a detailed analysis of the 

19 For an example of a completed WSR reconnaissance survey, see Wild and Scenic River Reconnaissance Survey 

of the York River (NPS 2013a) 

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river’s vulnerability to resource damage, or an in-depth analysis of support for or opposition to 

WSR designation. Nor are the survey’s suitability findings based on an evaluation of alternative 

local-state-federal and non-governmental organization shared management roles should the river 

be designated, because performing such an analysis requires participation by all potential 

partners. Thus, while existing local and state land-use controls and the conservation status of 

riverfront lands will be described, if possible, along with gaps in available information, the 

survey’s findings with respect to suitability are very preliminary in nature. The WSR 

reconnaissance survey report should clearly and objectively explain the NPS’s river eligibility 

and suitability findings, while noting information gaps. 

2.1.6.4 Staffing, Funding, and Oversight 

The SRS fund source that funds reconnaissance surveys is managed by the WASO PPSS 

division, which provides study oversight and policy direction, and coordinates the review of the 

internal draft survey reports by other WASO programs. The various NPS regions are responsible 

for managing the surveys, including creation of PMIS statements, and for staffing the surveys 

through regional planning programs, by parks, or by other staff, and/or the Denver Service 

Center. While no Project Agreement is typically executed for reconnaissance surveys, the 

region, PPSS, and relevant WSR Steering Committee members should coordinate to ensure 

timely completion of the work within budget. 

The PEPC website is used to coordinate both internal and external (via a public-facing page) 

communication on WSR reconnaissance surveys. The final document should be sent to the 

NPS’s Electronic Technical Information Center (eTIC) when the PEPC project is closed out. 

Since reconnaissance surveys are typically done in response to Congressional requests, the 

Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs and WASO Park Planning Office are likely to 

have a major role in shepherding a project through necessary approvals. 

WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATION 

Rivers are officially designated through federal legislation following completion of eligibility 

and suitability studies requested by Congress under Section 5(a), at the recommendation of the 

Secretary of Interior under Section 5(d), or following recommendation by a state Governor as 

described under Section 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA. Occasionally Congress designates rivers without 

an eligibility and suitability study. For additional information on the WSR designation process 

under Section 2(a)(ii) see Designating Rivers Through Section 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA (IWSRCC 

2007), and Appendix_E: Section 2(a)(ii) Sample Materials (under development). 

Internal Legislative Process 

Once a river segment has been found eligible and suitable and the findings appropriately 

documented in a decision file or as part of an AR, a park unit superintendent or program lead can 

submit the recommendation through the NPS internal legislative process at any time deemed 

appropriate. There is typically a biennial internal call that occurs in the fall in even years 

coinciding with the onset of a new Congress. The internal call starts in each region by sending 

out a request for one-page proposal summaries. The regional directorate and legislative affairs 

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office then request the submittal of legislative support data packages (See Appendix_D: 

Legislative Support Data Package Sample). Regional legislative affairs personnel and the 

regional directorate then review the packages to determine which proposals should be forwarded 

to the NPS WASO. The final approved proposals are forwarded to the NPS OLCA. After further 

review by the OLCA and the NPS Director, the final approved proposals are forwarded to the 

DOI and Office of Management and Budget, and eventually to Congress. 

Proposals can be forwarded to the regional legislative affairs staff at any time and do not need to 

wait until the biennial call. However, one advantage of the regional call is that legislation 

information is provided at the beginning of Congress’ term to allow for the maximum time for 

the potential legislation to be considered. Congress may or may not act on any potential 

legislation proposals forwarded by the NPS. 

Additional Protections Provided by Wild and Scenic River Designation 

WSR designation provides tools to protect rivers and river dependent park resources that may go 

beyond the protections of the Organic Act and park specific enabling legislation. Some of these 

tools include the following: 

• Section 7 of the WSRA provides a tool for protecting designated rivers and their 

values from FERC-licensed hydropower and federally-assisted water resource 

projects. For example, while the Federal Power Act (FPA) prohibits FERC 

hydropower projects in national parks and monuments without congressional 

authorization, they can be authorized in other units of the National Park System (e.g., 

national recreation areas, lakeshores, and preserves) provided they do not have direct 

adverse effects on federal lands. Designation offers stronger protections from new 

FERC hydropower projects. In addition, WSR designation not only protects rivers 

inside park units, but helps protect park water resources (and ORVs) from external 

threats under Section 7’s provisions regarding FERC-licensed hydropower and water 

resources projects upstream, downstream, or on a tributary of designated segments. 

Thus, even if an NPS unit includes all the headwaters of a river, designation could 

help protect migratory fish that utilize downstream areas from the impacts of new 

downstream dams and diversions. The NPS has no other authority to prohibit a 

downstream hydropower project or other kind of dam that is outside the park unit 

boundaries. For park units that do not control the headwaters of streams that flow 

within the park, designation would also ensure that the river's fish, wildlife, scenic, 

and recreational values would be protected from the impacts of external (upstream) 

hydropower dams and water resources projects. 

• Designation is a tool to help the NPS protect its own resources. Just as wilderness 

designation adds a layer of protection to NPS lands that are already protected under 

the Organic Act and Redwood Amendments, WSR designation adds an extra layer of 

protection beyond these NPS authorities. The WSRA requires that important WSR 

values are protected and enhanced, not “merely” preserved unimpaired. Designation 

helps park units focus on watershed protection, similar to landscape-scale protection, 

which helps the NPS study and manage intact aquatic ecosystems. 

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• Designation gives the NPS important property rights or authorities it may not 

otherwise have. With some limitations,20 the WSRA includes authority to acquire a 

limited area of land and interests in land within the authorized boundaries of a 

designated river, and to acquire land that is partially outside the boundary of a 

designated river with the consent of the appropriate landowners. The WSRA also 

authorizes the acquisition of land or easements through condemnation for the purpose 

of providing public access to the river within the designated boundary of the river. 

Finally, the WSRA authorizes exchanges of non-federal property located within the 

authorized boundary of a designated river for federally owned property. 

• Designation comes with specific federal reserved water rights based on flows needed 

to protect and enhance water-dependent values. 

• Section 12(a) of the WSRA requires federal agencies having jurisdiction over any 

lands which include, border upon, or are adjacent to designated or study WSRs to 

protect such rivers in accordance with the purposes of the WSRA. 

• Designation can help further regional and national goals of the NPS and other entities 

in regards to protection of one or more ORVs. 

• Designation is a form of public recognition of the river as a special place, potentially 

helping local economies through increased tourism. 

• Designation requires the development of a CRMP, which provides a mechanism to 

focus on river resources and methods to protect and enhance WSR values. 

Determining the suitability of a river for designation involves considerable judgment 

on the part of the IDT. It is useful to outline the management intent during the study 

process so visitors and stakeholders can understand any potential changes that would 

occur with WSR designation. For Section 5(d)(1) studies, the management intent 

could include things like zoning, recreation use, and user capacity of the river 

segments. 

• Suitability analysis provides the basis for deciding on whether or not to designate a 

river. If it is decided to recommend a river segment for designation, then the 

recommendation would be included in the appropriate NEPA environmental review 

and decision process. 

WILD AND SCENIC RIVER PLANNING 

Comprehensive River Management Plans 

The WSRA requires preparation of a CRMP for each river or river segment within three years of 

designation. These plans, now known as CRMPs, are required to address resource protection, 

land and facility development, user capacities, and other management practices necessary or 

20 See Chapter 3, Section 3.3.12 Protection of WSR Values on Non-Federal Lands in the WSR Corridor 

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desirable to achieve the purposes of the WSRA. Section 3(d)(1) of the WSRA describes the 

CRMP as follows: 

. . . the Federal agency charged with the administration of each component of the 

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System shall prepare a comprehensive 

management plan for such river segment to provide for the protection of the river 

values. The plan shall address resource protection, development of lands and 

facilities, user capacities, and other management practices necessary or desirable 

to achieve the purposes of this Act. 

2.3.1.1 Contents of a Comprehensive River Management Plan 

The NPS is required to prepare CRMPs for each WSR designated as part of the NWSRS and 

assigned to NPS for administration. 21 Each CRMP will include, at a minimum, those provisions 

stipulated in Sections 3(d)(1) and 10(a) of the WSRA. The NPS may also include such other 

provisions in the CRMPs as may be needed to satisfy the objectives of NPS planning policies 

and the unique circumstances of the river. (See Management Policies 2006: Chapter 2: Park 

Systems Planning and the accompanying guidance available from PPSS WASO and regional 

planning contacts.) 

The primary goal of a CRMP is to provide management direction for protecting and enhancing 

WSR values. The WSR values at the time of designation are the building blocks for all WSR 

planning and management decisions. Identifying, articulating, and documenting WSR values is 

a critical first step in developing a CRMP that protects and enhances these resources. A detailed 

description of the character of the river, including historic or existing infrastructure, hydrologic 

conditions, water quality, and river access should be available from the study report as part of the 

description of baseline conditions. 

Management strategies developed as part of the CRMP may include a description of future 

desired conditions for each WSR value, a set of proposed actions necessary to achieve these 

desired conditions, and a plan to monitor long term trends in conditions. CRMPs may address 

other topics as well, such as adaptive management, public engagement, and resource study 

needs. Identifying protective measures and prioritizing future actions in the CRMP will ensure 

that WSR values are protected and remain consistent with the WSR’s classification. 

Future NPS management plans and activities should refer to the CRMP to ensure consistency 

with management strategies. If the CRMP and a proposed or existing management strategy are 

found to be inconsistent, then one or the other may require review and revision. (See Chapter 2 

Section 2.2.1.5 Updating Comprehensive River Management Plans [under development]). 

Congress sometimes designates rivers without a complete or recent eligibility and suitability 

study. This may create challenges for the river manager particularly related to definition of river 

21 A newly-designated WSR requires interim management measures prior to completion of a CRMP. See Newly 

Designated WSRs: Interim Management and Steps to Develop a CRMP (IWSRCC 2010) for guidance. This 

document expands the content of Appendix A of WSR Management Responsibilities (IWSRCC 2002). 

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values, classification and boundaries. These issues should be addressed through the CRMP 

process. 

Starting in 2010, the NPS developed and implemented a process for articulating WSR values and 

documenting the findings in a WSR “values statement.” As of June 2017, most NPS WSRs have 

a values statement or similar document. While WSR values are best defined early in the CRMP 

planning process, they can be articulated later using a stand-alone process. Additionally, as 

knowledge of significant river-related resources improves, it is important to periodically update 

these documents. 

Appendix_B: Identifying Wild and Scenic River Values on Designated Rivers provides a 

detailed description of the NPS process for producing WSR value statements. It also provides 

additional guidance on defining cultural resource values. Appendix_F: Integrating Wild and 

Scenic River Values in Foundation Documents describes how to incorporate WSR values into 

park foundation documents. 

2.3.1.2 User Capacity 

Section 3(d)(1) of the WSRA directs federal river-administering agencies to address user 

capacities in a CRMP prepared for each federally-administered component of the NWSRS. The 

Act does not define user capacities, but recent litigation has focused primarily on recreational 

use. The scope of user capacity more broadly includes visitor use, other public use, and 

administrative use of the river, but with emphasis on the recreational aspect of visitor use. 

Guidance on user capacity analysis and visitor use management tools is provided in Steps to 

Address User Capacities for Wild and Scenic Rivers (IWSRCC, 2018). In addition, the NPS 

participates on the Interagency Visitor Use Management Council (IVUMC), which formed in 

2011 to provide recommendations to help member agencies consistently interpret and practice 

the major elements of visitor use management. The IVUMC has developed recommendations 

applicable to all public lands for monitoring and managing visitor use, as well as addressing 

visitor capacity, and has also written position papers22 on these topics that are complementary to 

the IWSRCC guidance on user capacity. The IVUMC also has completed a comprehensive 

Visitor Use Management Framework (IVUMC 2016a) that includes guidance for analyzing and 

managing visitor use on federally managed lands and waters, and developed a Visitor Capacity 

Guidebook that provide detailed “how-to” guidance and studies. Also see Chapter 3, Section 

3.3.5 Recreation Management. 

2.3.1.3 Comprehensive River Management Plans for Partnership Rivers 

Congress sometimes directs the NPS to conduct a 5(a) WSR study for rivers that will be 

managed through a federal-state-local partnership, rather than through direct federal management 

of a new park unit. To make it possible for the NPS to complete a suitability analysis in these 

situations, NPS works with its local partners during the study process. Partnership Wild and 

Scenic River (PWSR) CRMPs commonly are developed by partner study committee members 

22 Visitor Capacity on Federally Managed Lands and Waters (IVUMC 2016) and Visitor Use Management on 

Public Lands and Waters (IVUMC 2013) 

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(supported by paid staff or contractors), with NPS technical assistance. This approach increases 

local ownership by stakeholders in the creation and implementation of the plan. The plan 

describes management requirements associated with WSR designation and identifies the 

partner(s) responsible for implementing each management action. It also provides the necessary 

information for state and local governments, landowners, and other stakeholders to decide if they 

should support WSR designation. Evidence of such broad-based support is required for a 

positive suitability finding. In most cases, Congress endorses the Partnership CRMP when the 

study river is designated, which then becomes the new WSR’s official CRMP. In cooperation 

with its partners, the NPS should periodically review and update the CRMP to address changed 

circumstances and resource protection needs. See additional information on the PWSR website. 

2.3.1.4 National Environmental Policy Act Requirements 

The development of a CRMP includes responsibility for ensuring compliance with NEPA and 

other federal environmental protection laws. NEPA compliance is necessary whether the action 

is initiated by a federal agency or an agency partner. To comply with NEPA, the NPS and its 

partners must consider the potential environmental impacts of proposed actions identified in 

CRMPs. The NPS generally conducts WSR management planning and environmental 

compliance as an integrated process and therefore, most CRMPs are prepared in conjunction 

with an EA or EIS. DO-12 describes the policies and procedures that the NPS follows to comply 

with NEPA. The accompanying NEPA Handbook (NPS 2015b) provides guidance on how to 

implement the policies described in DO-12. If you have additional questions after reviewing 

these sources, please consult your Regional Environmental Coordinator. 

2.3.1.5 Updating Comprehensive River Management Plans (under development) 

• This section is currently under development, but the intent is to include guidance on updating 

existing CRMPs in the future, and to address the following: 

• How to review/update existing CRMPs, e.g., those prepared during 5(a) studies for 

PWSRs 

• Needs that trigger updates for CRMPs 

• Guidance on when to do an amendment vs. a new plan 

2.3.1.6 Comprehensive River Management Plan Archive 

The NPS has developed a list of CRMPs with links to the completed documents,

23 as well as an 

archive of WSR CRMPs, Value (ORV) Statements and WSR studies that led to designation.24 

When archiving a completed CRMP in the NPS eTIC, include the name of the designated river, 

the words “wild and scenic river” (regardless of NPS unit’s name), and the words 

“comprehensive plan” in the eTIC project title field. This will ensure that the document is found 

using the eTIC’s simple text search function. For example, the Upper Delaware River is 

designated under the WSRA and is managed by the NPS as the Upper Delaware National Scenic 

23 See the WSR CRMP spreadsheet for a the list of documents with links. 24 See the ORV and Studies archive 

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and Recreational River. The project title for the archived CRMP is “Upper Delaware WSR 

CRMP.” 

Establishing Wild and Scenic River Boundaries 

Sections 3(b) and 3(c) of the WSRA provide specific direction to federal river-administering 

agencies regarding the establishment of boundaries for designated WSRs: 

Section 3(b): The agency charged with the administration of each component of 

the national wild and scenic rivers system designated by subsection (a) of this 

section shall, within one year from the date of designation of such component 

under subsection (a) (except where a different date if [is] provided in subsection 

(a)), establish detailed boundaries therefor (which boundaries shall include an 

average of not more than 320 acres of land per mile [640 acres of land per mile 

for rivers designated by Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and 

located outside National Park units in Alaska25] measured from the ordinary high 

water mark on both sides of the river)... Notice of the availability of the 

boundaries and classification, and of subsequent boundary amendments shall be 

published in the Federal Register and shall not become effective until ninety days 

after they have been forwarded to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of 

the House of Representatives. 

Section 3(c): Maps of all boundaries and descriptions of the classifications of 

designated river segments, and subsequent amendments to such boundaries, shall 

be available for public inspection in the offices of the administering agency in the 

District of Columbia and in locations convenient to the designated river. 

Establishing a lateral boundary for a newly-designated WSR is an important step in delineating 

the area which will receive the greatest effort in resource protection. Establishment of Wild and 

Scenic River Boundaries (IWSRCC 1998a) provides excellent background and guidance for 

defining required boundaries as part of a planning process (i.e., during the preparation of a 

CRMP). 

2.3.2.1 Process to Finalize or Amend Boundaries 

The WSRA requires that each WSR designated by Congress have a lateral boundary. In a few 

instances, Congress has specified the lateral boundaries for a river in the designation legislation. 

Generally, however, this responsibility is left to the managing agency to be completed following 

designation. The following steps identify the process to finalize or amend lateral boundaries: 

1. Scope the project: Identify the project manager (usually the CRMP project manager) and 

meet with the project team. Include the project manager, key park staff, key interagency 

staff if the Notice of Availability (NOA) involves multiple land management agencies, 

the regional liaison (or similar FR specialist), WASO WSR Program lead(s) and key NPS 

25 As of 2017, the only WSR administered by the NPS that this provision applies to is the portion of the Alagnak 

River in Alaska outside the boundary of Katmai National Park and Preserve. 

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Land Resources Division staff. Review the project timeframe with the team and identify 

responsibilities for key project tasks (see below). Use PEPC for internal team purposes 

to provide comments on maps and the NOA package. Also use PEPC as the public’s 

primary tool to view boundary maps and related documents. 

2. Map the project: The project manager works with the NPS Land Resources Division 

project lead to produce (or confirm) official WSR boundary delineation and classification 

maps. 

3. Establish project in PEPC: The project manager establishes the project in PEPC, if 

necessary (i.e., if there is not already a PEPC project for CRMP development for the 

river). Both internal and public-facing pages are needed. The project manager works 

with PEPC support staff to develop a short link to display official boundary delineation 

maps. The key park staff or authorized project member will be responsible for releasing 

the PEPC link to the public when the NOA package is available.26 

4. Make ready for review: Compile final boundary materials for internal review (see 

Appendix_G: Boundary Establishment Sample Materials), including the following: 

a. Three-week-out report (if appropriate) 

b. Office of the Executive Secretariat cover letter 

c. General background brief for region 

d. Briefing statement to get approval to 

i. Transmit WSR boundary and classification maps to Congress 

ii. Publish NOA in the FR 

e. Congressional notice (i.e., letters to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the 

House of Representatives, in accordance with Section 3(b) of the WSRA) 

f. Transmittal cover letter for FR NOA 

g. FR NOA 

h. Coordination letter from other federal agency (if appropriate) 

i. Maps 

i. Official boundary delineation maps available electronically from 

LandsNet (official repository for NPS maps and boundary information – 

not accessible outside NPS network) as well as paper (if appropriate) in 

locations convenient to the designated river27 

ii. Documents should also be made available through the public-facing pages 

on PEPC 

5. Finalize package: Finalize boundary package for Director’s (or designee’s) signature for 

congressional letters: 

a. Work through Region to submit to the federal Document Tracking System and 

transmit to WASO. 

b. Obtain WASO signatures for Document Tracking System. This routing is subject 

to change. Best practice is to check with the WSR Program lead(s) or the NPS 

Chief of Staff to confirm needed signatures. As of 2017, the following routing is 

recommended: 

26 See a sample in PEPC on the Snake River Headwaters WSR Planning Project that includes planning documents 

and final boundary maps. 

27 Section 3(c) of the WSRA requires maps of all boundaries and descriptions of the classifications of designated 

river segments, as well as any subsequent amended boundaries, be available for public inspection in the offices of 

the administering agency in the District of Columbia and in locations convenient to the designated river. 

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i. NPS only: 

1. Associate Director, Partnership and Civic Engagement (WSR 

Program Office) 

2. Deputy Director, NPS Office of Legislation and Congressional 

Affairs (OLCA) 

3. Chief of Staff 

4. Deputy Director for Operations 

5. Regional Director or designee 

6. Director 

ii. NPS and other Bureaus/Agencies 

1. To be determined by Chief of Staff 

6. Publish in the FR: Project manager (or team’s FR liaison) will deliver the final NOA 

package to the FR. This process may be handled separately from the congressional 

transmittal process. Check with the Regional FR Liaison for best practices to ensure an 

efficient process for this step. 

7. Transmit to Congress: OLCA will provide guidance. 

8. Notify project team: The project manager notifies project team of transmittal date to 

Congress and expected date of NOA publication in the FR. 

9. Update database: Update the WSR boundary database by contacting the database 

manager and your regional WSR SC representative.28 One of the attributes of the 

database includes a link to the FR notice. 

2.3.2.2 Key Points 

The following highlight important aspects of WSR boundary establishment and provide guidance 

specific to the NPS: 

• The WSRA has specific requirements for 1) establishing and amending detailed 

boundaries and classification, 2) posting notices of the availability of WSR boundaries 

and classifications in the FR, 3) transmitting boundary information to Congress, and 4) 

making maps of WSRs available to the public. 

• The WSRA requires river managers to establish detailed boundaries and classification 

within one year of designation and develop a CRMP within three years of the date of 

designation for rivers designated by Congress. While these deadlines are rarely met, the 

NPS makes the interim boundary and classification information available to the public 

through the planning process under NEPA and using the public-facing PEPC project site 

created for CRMPs. The NOA is then published in the FR and transmitted to Congress as 

soon as the planning process is complete. 

• The river’s lateral boundary is delineated to optimally protect its values, including its 

ORVs, within the acreage limitations specified in the WSRA. The boundary location is 

subject to NEPA analysis as a decision in the CRMP. Consistent with Section 4(d), 

boundaries of any river proposed in a Congressionally-authorized study, and prior to 

establishing formal boundaries, shall generally comprise that area measured within onequarter mile from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) on each bank of the river. 

Section 15 provides for wider boundaries in Alaska. 

28 For information about updating boundary data go to: WSR Boundary Database or ArcGIS online: 

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• The WSR corridor, which is the land and river within the lateral boundary, defines the 

area that will receive the greatest effort in resource protection. New FERC-licensed 

hydropower project works are prohibited from being located anywhere within or directly 

affecting a WSR corridor.29 The river corridor is also the area within which the WSRA 

grants authority for the acquisition of lands and interest in lands for WSR purposes. In 

addition, boundaries also affect mining and mineral leasing decisions, although these 

activities are already prohibited on most NPS-managed lands.30 

• The WSRA’s acreage limits apply to lands above the river’s OHWM. In general, they do 

not include submerged lands or islands within the designated WSR. Consult with the 

WSR Steering Committee for more information. 

• The WSR’s classification as wild, scenic, or recreational is based on the level of 

development within the river’s corridor and along its shoreline, including the degree of 

access present on the date of designation.31 (See Chapter 2 Section 2.1.1.3 River 

Classification). 

• Boundary and classification decisions for WSRs administered by two or more federal 

agencies should be coordinated. When possible, this should include joint preparation and 

transmittal of the required information. 

• The NPS primarily uses GIS maps to describe WSR boundaries, following protocols used 

by the NPS Land Resources Division. In contrast to WSRs administered by the USFS 

and BLM, surveys, narrative legal descriptions, and boundary signage are generally not 

needed for NPS-administered rivers because the NPS does not share the multi-use 

mandates of these agencies.32 

• Partnership WSRs may or may not have lateral boundaries. In some cases, Congress 

preempts the WSRA’s boundary requirements for individual PWSRs in their designation 

legislation. In other cases, Congress states in the authorizing legislation that the CRMP 

developed during the WSR study satisfies WSRA Section 3 requirements, having the 

same effect and satisfies FR notice and congressional transmittal requirements. 

• Rivers designated under Section 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA are not required to have lateral 

boundaries, although some states may delineate their corridors anyway, which often is 

useful when the NPS conducts reviews under Section 7 of the WSRA. 

• Rivers found eligible or eligible and suitable as the result of an inventory under Section 

5(d)(1) of the WSRA are also not required to have boundaries. However, these rivers 

must be managed protectively to maintain their eligible status. Developing preliminary 

recommendations for lateral boundaries for rivers that are ultimately designated allow the 

NPS to highlight the land area that should receive the greatest management attention 

during the period of protective management that applies to eligible 5(d)(1) segments. 

• Coordinate boundary development in parks with regional Lands Program contacts to 

ensure documentation is consistent with internal NPS processes and contact the WSR 

boundary database manager to add relevant details. 

29 See Chapter 4: Evaluation Standards. 30 See Section 8.7 of Management Policies 2006 

31 16 USC 1273 

32 Case law confirms that the final WSR boundary is not required to be posted or otherwise located on the ground. 

See Sokol v. Kennedy 210 F.3d 876 (2000). 

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MANAGEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP 

This chapter provides guidance on National Park Service (NPS) management and stewardship 

responsibilities as directed by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA). Management of Wild 

and Scenic Rivers (WSRs) is best accomplished through the development and adherence to 

CRMPs, which are described in Chapter 2. This chapter suggests best management practices 

(BMPs) to guide NPS actions in monitoring, protecting, and enhancing WSR values on both 

designated rivers and rivers identified for future study. Guidance is also provided to assist 

decision-making for a range of potential activities within and outside the WSR corridor. 

Although guidance is tailored to the management of designated WSRs, it is also useful for 

managing other NPS rivers as well. In both cases, supplement the advice provided in this 

Reference Manual (RM) by seeking advice from subject-matter experts within and outside the 

NPS, as appropriate. 

The WSRA directs river managing agencies to administer designated rivers to protect and 

enhance the WSR values that made it eligible for inclusion into the National WSR System 

(NWSRS): free-flowing character, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). 

Each WSR must be administered in a manner that is consistent with its classification as wild, 

scenic, or recreational. The WSRA also provides protective measures for WSR values on 

congressionally-authorized 5(a) study rivers, certain rivers recommended for designation by a 

Governor under Section 2(a)(ii)33, and for rivers found eligible under Section 5(d)(1). Rivers 

authorized for study under Section 5(a) receive protection for a period of three years from the 

date a study report is transmitted to Congress, regardless of study findings, unless a different 

time period is specified in legislation.34 Rivers found eligible pursuant to an evaluation under 

Section 5(d)(1) must be managed to protect their free-flowing condition, water quality, and 

ORVs, as well as their preliminary classification, until a decision on suitability can be made. 

The same protection applies to rivers found suitable under Section 5(d)(1) until Congress 

designates the river or it is released for other uses. 

The WSRA provides several measures to protect and enhance WSR values, most notably Section 

7 and Section 10. The protection provided under Section 7 from harmful water resources 

projects and hydropower project works licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

(FERC) is described in detail in Chapter 4. The mandate to protect and enhance WSR values 

under Section 10(a) is described in this Chapter. Section 10(a) states the following: 

Each component of the national wild and scenic rivers system shall be 

administered in such manner as to protect and enhance the values which caused it 

to be included in said system without, insofar as is consistent therewith, limiting 

other uses that do not substantially interfere with public use and enjoyment of 

33 If a river was authorized by Congress for study through Section 5(a), and the governor of a state(s) subsequently 

applies for designation through Section 2(a)(ii), that river is protected for one year following receipt of the 

application for designation to the Secretary of the Interior under WSRA Sections 7(b) on water resources projects 

and Section 12(a) on management policies. 

34 Congressionally-authorized 5(a) study rivers are also afforded the protections directed by WSRA Sections 7(b) on 

water resources projects, Section 8(b) on land disposition, Section 9(b) on mining and mineral leasing, and Section 

12(a) on management policies. 

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these values. In such administration primary emphasis shall be given to 

protecting its esthetic, scenic, historic, archaeologic, and scientific features... 

The NWSRS; Final Revised Guidelines for Eligibility, Classification and Management of River 

Areas, also known as the 1982 Interagency Guidelines (NPS and USFS 1982),35 interprets 

Section 10(a) as a non-degradation and enhancement policy for all designated river areas, 

regardless of classification. Each component will be managed to protect and enhance the values 

for which the river was designated, while providing for other activities and uses which do not 

adversely impact or degrade those values. River managers must therefore 1) protect a river’s 

free-flowing condition, water quality, and ORVs, with a primary emphasis given to aesthetics, 

scenic, historic, archeologic, and scientific features; 2) identify opportunities to improve the 

baseline condition of river resources and values, and 3) provide for public recreation and other 

resource uses that do not diminish WSR values. 

Typically, the baseline for evaluating impacts to free-flow, water quality, and ORVs is the 

condition on the date of designation. However, if river conditions have improved since the date 

of designation, the NPS will base management decisions upon the improved condition. Specific 

management strategies will vary according to a river’s classification but will always be designed 

to protect and enhance the values of the river area. 

MONITORING PROGRAMS 

The overall purpose of monitoring WSRs is to develop scientifically sound information on the 

current status and long term trends in the function of river systems, and to determine how well 

current management practices are sustaining river-dependent resources and values, including 

free-flowing condition, water quality and ORVs. One of the most critical steps in designing a 

monitoring program is to clearly define the goals and objectives of the monitoring effort and to 

then lay out a plan to procure the information necessary to meet these objectives. Focus 

monitoring plans for WSRs on establishing a baseline, identifying trends in the resource 

condition for each WSR value, and evaluating progress in reaching management goals as 

established in the CRMP. An effective monitoring program provides data to evaluate progress 

toward the goal of a plan, but it is more than just repeated data collection. It is absolutely 

essential to understand why data are being collected and how data are intended to be used to 

inform future management decisions. 

Monitoring plans should include monitoring protocols that contain sufficient detail to explain 

how data are to be collected, managed, and analyzed. Monitoring protocols are a key component 

of quality assurance and quality control for natural and cultural resource monitoring programs. 

Monitoring protocols are necessary to ensure that changes detected by monitoring are occurring 

in nature and not simply a result of measurements taken by different people or in slightly 

different ways. Finally, when developing a monitoring plan, consider the overall cost in terms of 

personnel, expertise, equipment and time, and strive to implement a monitoring plan that is 

sustainable over the long term. 

3547 FR 39454-39467, September 7, 1982 

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The basic steps involved in planning and designing an effective long-term monitoring plan for 

most WSR values are as follows: 

1. Clearly define the goals and objectives of the monitoring plan. 

2. Compile and summarize existing information. 

3. Prioritize and select indicators that will be monitored to evaluate change. 

4. Identify standards or thresholds that will be used to indicate change. 

5. Develop an overall sampling design including the frequency of sampling and duration of 

monitoring to address specific needs. 

6. Develop monitoring protocols including quality assurance protocols. 

7. Establish data management, analysis, and reporting procedures. Ensure that data are 

entered into an appropriate database that is publicly accessible. Water quality data should 

be made available to state water quality agencies to ensure state water quality reporting 

and compliance required under the Clean Water Act includes data collected on WSRs. 

MONITORING WILD AND SCENIC RIVER VALUES 

An understanding of the health and condition of a WSR is essential to fulfilling the mandate to 

protect and enhance the values that led to a river’s designation. Monitoring the hydrologic 

condition of a river, including streamflow, water quality and the aquatic ecosystems and habitats 

associated with a river, forms the basis for river management. Information compiled as part of 

the study and planning processes that describe streamflow, water quality and the condition of 

ORVs at the time of designation provides a baseline for evaluating change in resource condition 

in the future. Descriptions of resource integrity and the existence of any adverse conditions at 

the time of designation should be part of the development of CRMPs and should identify future 

monitoring needs. 

Once a baseline has been established, long term monitoring is key to managing and 

understanding the health and condition of the natural and cultural values associated with each 

wild and scenic river. Long term monitoring should be sufficient to detect change in condition 

and to identify potential trends over time. Monitoring efforts conducted by NPS can be 

leveraged by coordinating with state and federal agencies, local “friends” groups, watershed 

networks, and other non-government organizations (NGOs), universities, and qualified citizen 

scientists to assist with data collection. 

The NPS Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program consists of 32 regional monitoring networks 

whose primary goal is to collect, organize and integrate natural resource data into NPS planning 

and management. The NPS I&M Network and the Water Resources Division (WRD) can 

provide assistance in developing an appropriate monitoring program to protect and enhance a 

WSR’s values. 

Streamflow 

Streamflow is an essential component of WSRs and is vital to maintaining ORVs that are flow 

dependent.36 Streamflow characteristics important to the long term health and function of a river 

36 Examples of ORVs that may not require a specific streamflow are certain paleontologic or cultural resources. 

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include the frequency, magnitude, timing and duration of high and low flows, and the natural 

seasonal and inter-annual variability of flows, otherwise referred to as a river’s flow regime. A 

river’s flow regime can be considered a “master variable” that affects the stream form and 

function, distribution and abundance of aquatic species, and the health and integrity of aquatic 

ecosystems. Because of the direct relationship between streamflow and a river’s ORVs, all 

WSRs should include some form of streamflow monitoring. 

Valid and reliable baseline information is the foundation for river and flow-dependent resource 

management decisions and is essential to the development of successful strategies to protect and 

enhance WSR values. Complete baseline inventories and establish some level of ongoing 

monitoring of streamflow for every WSR, including those with no apparent water-related issues 

or conflicts. Where possible, integrate streamflow monitoring into the appropriate NPS regional 

monitoring network. Partnerships with local, state and federal agencies can also be helpful in 

gathering baseline information. In some cases, baseline information may already be available 

through the USGS or state agency monitoring programs. 

There are many different methods to measure or estimate streamflow, but to be most useful, 

streamflow data collection and reporting should be standardized. Refer to the NPS I&M 

Network Standard Operating Procedures on the measurement, storage and reporting of 

streamflow information. Some methods measure streamflow directly, while others measure 

velocity and area of the channel to calculate streamflow. Some methods are better suited for low 

flows while others can handle a wide range of flows. The method chosen to measure streamflow 

depends upon several factors including the expected range of flows or size of the river, the 

desired accuracy and frequency of measurements, and the overall cost. 

The measurement of streamflow can be used to develop relationships between streamflow and 

flow-dependent ORVs for a specific WSR. Methodologies for developing relationships can 

range from staff and expert opinions (e.g., flows necessary for boating) to complicated hydraulic 

models that link flows of a certain magnitude to available habitat (e.g., Instream Flow 

Incremental Methodology and Physical Habitat Simulation Models). The WRD can assist in 

determining the best strategy to use to quantify the streamflow necessary to support WSR values, 

and if necessary, to assert water right claims. 

Water Quality 

Water quality monitoring is used to characterize waters, detect trends, identify emerging 

problems, determine whether pollution control programs are working, and focus pollution 

control efforts where they are needed. Decisions on what should be monitored and the most 

appropriate protocols to follow for each individual WSR should be based on management goals 

and objectives identified in the CRMP. 

WRD can provide assistance in establishing goals, identifying protocols and ensuring proper 

reporting and data quality assurance for water quality monitoring programs to ensure 

consistency, comparability, and accuracy of data. Also consult with the appropriate I&M 

Network staff to discuss water quality monitoring protocols and proper archival of data. In 

addition, methods for measuring and reporting water quality are well documented in USGS 

publications (see for example the USGS Office of Water Quality and the USGS Office of Water 

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Data Coordination). The level of future long-term monitoring that might be appropriate depends 

on potential threats or issues that have been identified in the CRMP or through subsequent 

planning documents. 

Water quality can be affected by activities outside the WSR corridor, including both land use 

practices (past and present) and atmospheric deposition of contaminants. WSRs located in 

remote or wilderness areas may still be affected by airborne pollutants. Understanding these 

external influences on water quality may affect future management practices. Tailor the water 

quality monitoring program to the most significant of these threats to water quality. For example, 

grazing may affect coliform, turbidity, and temperature, while mining may contribute to heavy 

metal concentrations. Identify and closely track the impact of impaired water quality on ORVs 

such as recreation, fish, wildlife, and scenery or aesthetics. 

Natural Resources 

Natural resource monitoring is a major component of park and river stewardship. The overall 

purpose for natural resource monitoring is to determine the status and trend in the condition of 

selected resources to ensure that management responsibilities are being met. Monitoring data can 

be used to assess the effectiveness of management and restoration efforts, provide early warning 

of impending threats, and provide a basis for identifying and understanding change in complex 

natural systems. Monitoring data may help to determine what constitutes impairment and to 

identify the need to initiate or change management practices. 

The I&M Program uses the term “vital signs” for species, habitats, landscapes, and abiotic 

factors that indicate the health of an ecosystem. Some examples of vital signs include water 

quality, freshwater invertebrates, birds, amphibians and reptiles, forest and woodland 

communities, and glacial features. The I&M Program is designed to provide site-specific 

information needed to identify and understand change in park ecosystems to determine whether 

observed changes are within natural levels of variability, or if they may be the result of unwanted 

human influences. 

The NPS I&M Networks have developed several standard operating procedures for natural 

resource data collection, database management and data reporting. If any resource values are not 

already monitored as part of network monitoring efforts or the WSR/park unit involved does not 

have a monitoring plan for natural resources, coordinate with the appropriate NPS I&M network 

to establish monitoring standards and protocols for each natural resource-related WSR value. If 

the WSR is located within designated wilderness, consider combining indicators for wilderness 

character and WSR values, if appropriate.37 

Cultural Resources 

NPS is the steward of many of our nation’s most important cultural resources, including 

archeological resources, cultural landscapes, and ethnographic resources. Rivers often played a 

vital role in the past settlement and use of an area and are frequently found as a central feature 

37 See Keeping It Wild in the NPS: A User Guide to Integrate Wilderness Character into Park Planning, 

Management, and Monitoring (NPS 2014a) 

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within a cultural landscape. Monitoring the condition of a river’s important cultural resources is 

a necessary part of an effective WSR monitoring program and provides a means to evaluate the 

effectiveness of both short and long-term cultural resource protection measures. 

Monitoring the condition of cultural resources associated with WSRs will be dependent on 

individual rivers and their associated resources and values. Each WSR should develop and 

implement a program to systematically inventory and monitor cultural resources and assess the 

overall environmental and human-caused effects to cultural resources, and to evaluate the 

adequacy of methods to identify and protect cultural resources. For assistance in developing and 

implementing a cultural resource monitoring plan, coordinate with the appropriate NPS Cultural 

Resources, Partnerships, and Science directorate contacts for your region or park, and State 

Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPO). 

Visitor Use Monitoring 

Visitor use monitoring is an essential part of WSR management because it provides a strategy for 

managers to evaluate resource condition while providing visitors with high quality recreational 

experiences. As a component of a CRMP, river managers may develop a monitoring strategy, 

specifically related to protecting river’s free-flowing condition, water quality, and ORVs. The 

Interagency Visitor Use Management Council (IVUMC) Monitoring Guidebook (IVUMC 2019) 

provides guidance on selecting indicators and establishing triggers for management actions, as 

well as providing guidance on developing and implementing a monitoring strategy. 

Additional Monitoring Resources 

For additional monitoring guidance, see the following resources: 

• Guidance for Designing an Integrated Monitoring Program. Natural Resource Report 

(NPS 2012) 

• Monitoring the Condition of Natural Resources in US National Parks (Fancy et. al., 

2009) (See the section, “Steps in Monitoring Design”) 

• NPS-75: Natural Resources Inventory and Monitoring Guideline (NPS 2012c) 

• RM #77: Natural Resource Management (NPS in progress) 

• Director’s Order #28: Cultural Resource Management (NPS 1998a) 

• NPS-28: Cultural Resource Management Guideline (NPS 1998b) 

• Director’s Order #47: Soundscape Preservation and Noise Management (NPS 2000) 

• Director’s Order #41: Wilderness Stewardship (NPS 2013c) 

• RM #41: Wilderness Stewardship (NPS 2013d) 

• US Forest Service Wilderness Character Monitoring Technical Guide (USFS 2020) 

RIVER CORRIDOR STEWARDSHIP AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 

General principles for resource protection and enhancement, as well as some specific BMPs for a 

range of development projects and resource protection issues, have been developed. They are 

broadly applicable to both federal and non-federal lands in designated river corridors, as well as 

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to rivers in Parks identified as eligible for potential Wild and Scenic designation. (See Chapter 2, 

Section 2.1.5.2 Protective Management for Eligible Rivers). 

The Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (IWSRCC) has developed 

protection principles that have been accepted by all four WSR-administering agencies: 

• Identify and eliminate adverse impacts to WSR values, including activities that were 

occurring on the date of designation. Monitor and document successful management 

activities. 

• Make protection approaches performance-based, focusing on desired long-term outcomes 

or desired future conditions. Rigid prescriptions such as numeric setback requirements 

applied to varying circumstances will not be as effective. 

• Place emphasis on ecosystem process, resilience, and connectivity at watershed and 

landscape scales. Application of these strategies in resource management must be 

informed by scientific and scholarly research and established ecological knowledge. 

• Coordinate early with project proponents and/or stakeholders, which can provide an 

opportunity to implement design changes that will best protect river resources. If there is 

a nexus to federal funding, and therefore an environmental planning and decision 

document, make the effort to ensure that the NPS is at the table early on and that agency 

recommendations are included in the process. 

Instream Flow Protection 

The WSRA recognizes the importance of instream flow protection to accomplish the purposes of 

WSR designation. Instream flow protection is the establishment of a legal right to streamflow 

that is enforceable against competing demands. Certain provisions of the WSRA establish a 

legal right to water for the purpose of protecting and enhancing WSR values, but how a federal 

agency enforces the legal right to water is not prescribed in the WSRA. The legal right to water 

is enforceable when that right has been adjudicated or recognized through an appropriate judicial 

or administrative process that satisfies certain criteria under established principles of law. 

Protection of instream flows for WSRs requires some understanding of water law and the roles 

that states play in the administration of water. There are basically two types of water rights, and 

both may be important to protect instream flows for WSRs: federal reserved water rights and 

state-based water rights. Federal reserved water rights are a special class of water rights based 

on a series of historic Supreme Court decisions that determined that when Congress sets aside 

land or water from the public domain for a specific purpose, such as an Indian reservation or 

national park, a quantity of water is reserved in the amount necessary to fulfill that federal 

purpose. 

State-based water rights are water rights established through state law. State-based water rights 

generally allow for the consumptive use of water for a particular beneficial purpose. Traditional 

beneficial purposes include irrigation, domestic, mining, and municipal uses and generally 

require a permit for the diversion of water at a particular location for a particular place of use. 

More recently, instream flows for fish, wildlife, recreation, and other in situ values have also 

been recognized as non-consumptive beneficial uses in some states. However, not all states 

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recognize non-consumptive beneficial uses, and not all states allow federal agencies to hold nonconsumptive water rights. 

Direction on state and federal jurisdiction over the waters of a WSR is found in Section 13 of the 

WSRA: 

Section 13(b) (§1284(b) 

The jurisdiction of the States and the United States over waters of any stream included in the 

national wild, scenic or recreational river area shall be determined by established principles of 

law. Under the provisions of this Act ... Nothing in this Act shall constitute an express or 

implied claim or denial on the part of the Federal Government as to exemption from State water 

laws. 

Section 13(c) (§1284(c) 

Designation of any stream or portion thereof as a national wild, scenic, or recreational river 

area shall not be construed as a reservation of the waters of such streams for purposes other 

than those specified in this Act, or in quantities greater than necessary to accomplish these 

purposes. 

Section 13(d) (§1284(d) 

The jurisdiction of the States over waters of any stream included in a national wild, scenic or 

recreational river area shall be unaffected by this Act to the extent that such jurisdiction may be 

exercised without impairing the purposes of this Act or its administration. 

This language, along with the legislative history of the WSRA, makes clear that Congress 

intended to create federal reserved water rights for WSRs. However, Congress provided limited 

direction on how federal reserved water rights for WSRs should be recognized or incorporated 

into state-based water administrative processes. 

One way that federal reserved water rights can be recognized in states is through a state-based 

general stream adjudication that meets the criteria of the McCarran Amendment (43 U.S.C. 666). 

The McCarran Amendment provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity that allows federal 

agencies to participate in certain state-based general stream adjudications. A McCarran type of 

proceeding is a judicial proceeding that determines all water rights on a river system or river 

basin and typically includes all claims for water, including federal, tribal, state and individual 

claims. 

General stream adjudications are commonly initiated by states according to state needs and 

priorities. These proceedings typically require claimants to file claims with robust supporting 

evidence for specific uses, are both expensive and time consuming, and may take many years to 

be resolved. General stream adjudications that recognize federal reserved water rights are not 

always available to federal agencies, and may not meet the criteria described in the McCarran 

Amendment to make a binding determination of federal reserved water rights. In such instances, 

the river managing agency may seek alternative approaches for pursuing instream flow 

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protection. The only other means of recognizing federal reserved water rights is through federal 

court proceedings and litigation. 

Where federal agencies are unable to acquire instream flow protections within state-based 

adjudications or administrative processes, and pursuing legal action in federal court is not 

desirable, other approaches for instream flow protection can be considered. One approach that 

NPS has successfully undertaken to resolve water rights issues in certain states is through state 

water right settlements or compacts. Other approaches for securing instream flow protection 

include scheduled releases as part of reservoir operations, endangered species flow 

recommendations, conservation techniques, and water right purchases from willing sellers. 

These approaches may provide opportunities for state and federal agencies to resolve complex 

and challenging issues through more cooperative approaches, but may be more difficult to 

enforce. 

Protecting and enforcing instream flows to support WSR values is a complex legal area that 

requires expert technical and legal advice. Whenever an instream flow issue arises, consult NPS 

staff with water rights expertise in the NPS Water Resources Division (WRD) and if necessary, 

the Solicitor’s Office and Department of Justice. The WRD can assist in developing studies to 

quantify the amount of water needed to support WSR values, file instream flow claims, and 

participate in general stream adjudications. For an example of a court decision that established a 

federal reserved water right for a wild and scenic river, see the decree for the Cache la Poudre 

WSR in Appendix_H: Example of a Court Decree for a Water Right. 

Regardless of the approach that is ultimately undertaken to protect instream flows, long term 

protection often includes some instream flow monitoring, keeping track of water development on 

adjacent private lands, and working with state and local agencies to negotiate solutions that 

accommodate future water needs while still protecting WSR values. River managers are 

encouraged to keep track of water right applications filed within river basins where such uses 

may affect instream flows. Applications for water rights generally require a period of public 

notice in a local newspaper and provide opportunity for comment. If an application is 

determined to adversely affect flows, river managers may file an objection or protest to a specific 

application with the appropriate state agency. WRD can assist in evaluating applications and 

filing objections. The state agency may hold a hearing on the matter to decide whether to grant 

the application, and WRD can provide advice and assistance in these matters. 

Water Quality Protection 

Water quality is a fundamental value of all WSRs. The NPS must protect and enhance the water 

quality of WSRs through appropriate management actions. The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers (USACE) are the agencies with primary responsibility for establishing water quality 

standards for rivers pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA), regulating discharges, permitting 

dredge and fill activities, and enforcing federal water quality laws. 

The EPA often delegates much of its regulatory authority to state agencies. Section 12(c) of the 

WSRA directs WSR-administering agencies to cooperate with the EPA and state water pollution 

control agencies to eliminate or diminish water pollution. While state water quality classification 

sets the minimum threshold for water quality, strive to protect and enhance the water quality 

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conditions that were present on the date of designation, even if water quality is better than the 

minimum threshold established by state classification. 

According to the CWA, rivers administered as part of national or state parks, as well as waters 

with exceptional ecological or recreational significance, qualify as Outstanding National 

Resource Waters (ONRWs) and they should receive the highest level of water quality protection. 

However, states have not uniformly recognized WSRs as ONRWs and the specific nature of 

protection provided by ONRW designation differs from state to state. River managers are 

encouraged to work with appropriate state agencies to ensure that WSRs are designated as 

ONRWs and that BMPs are employed within watersheds to maintain and improve water quality 

and associated benefits of WSRs. 

NPS should also seek opportunities to develop partnerships with local agencies and organizations 

such as conservation districts and watershed groups to protect and enhance water quality. In 

addition, the USGS is a Federal non-regulatory science agency with water-quality monitoring, 

assessment, and research responsibilities that can provide additional guidance and assistance in 

understanding and addressing specific water quality concerns. 

Work with local groups and governments to secure zoning, implement green infrastructure 

projects, and maintain healthy riparian areas to protect and enhance water quality. Zoning can be 

particularly effective, especially in areas where unregulated run-off results in water pollution. In 

situations where specific water quality problems have been identified, river managers may have 

many allies at the federal, state, and local level to help improve conditions. Water Quantity and 

Quality as Related to the Management of Wild & Scenic Rivers (IWSRCC 2003) describes a 

range of tools that may be helpful. 

Scenic Resource Management 

As previously noted, the NPS Visual Resources Program provides comprehensive inventory, 

planning, and technical assistance to help parks systematically identify and understand their 

visual resources so that they can develop credible protection strategies, best management 

practices, and collaborative approaches to work proactively with neighbors to protect shared 

values and treasured views for future generations. 38 The resources available through this 

program are expanding and provide tools for systematically documenting potential scenic ORVs 

during WSR studies and documenting baseline conditions for existing WSRs and study 

rivers. Such documentation is useful for comparing existing and baseline conditions, monitoring 

results to ensure that the WSR protect and enhance (non-degradation) standard is implemented. 

The program has actively worked with NPS WSR staff in the Northeast Region to adapt 

inventory techniques to incorporate special river considerations in Partnership WSR 

Studies. River specific data has been added to the NPS Visual Resource Inventory Data sheet, 

such as including river-specific characteristics (e.g. width, depth, slope, discharge, substrate, 

water clarity, channel alterations (when describing river views). 

38 Information on resources available from the Visual_Resources_Program is available for internal use 

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Good baseline information and a systematic robust approach is essential when evaluating the 

potential impacts of proposed development projects and making Section 7 determinations about 

effects on scenic ORVs. In the absence of NPS procedures, NPS relied on the BLM Visual 

Resource Management Process to evaluate high profile projects, such as the Saint Croix River 

Crossing project in Minnesota and Wisconsin in 2010.39 However, the NPS Visual Resources 

Program is developing a Visual Impact Assessment process that correlates with the NPS 

inventory process. Contact the NPS Visual Resource Program for assistance and updates. 

Cultural Resource Management 

NPS, as steward for many of our most treasured and important cultural resources, is charged to 

preserve them for the enjoyment of present and future generations. NPS-28 Cultural Resource 

Management Guideline40 identifies two important approaches to manage cultural resources and 

protect them from threats. The first is to have a positive caring attitude toward their protection. 

The other is to have a spirit of cooperation “...to form stewardship coalitions with local 

governments, professional organizations, state agencies, and nonprofit groups.” 

The key to protecting and enhancing cultural resource ORVs is to know what they are (see 

Appendix B Cultural_Resource Values) and to use the research, planning, and stewardship tools 

available through the NPS Cultural Resource Program and partnerships. Best management 

practices for protecting and enhancing cultural resources are presented in Appendix M. Regional 

and park cultural resource contacts can assist with implementing management guidelines and 

monitoring programs, using specialized information systems, planning documents, archives and 

administrative records, and using the full range of federal laws to protect cultural resources and 

access law enforcement resources. These contacts can also assist with developing partnerships to 

increase local involvement and a greater capacity to care for cultural resources, including the 

public and educational institutions. They can also support engaging descendent and traditionally 

associated communities to better understand the range of cultural river values. 

Recreation Management 

The WSRA directs that WSRs be protected so that they may be experienced and enjoyed by the 

public: 

Section 1(b): 

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected 

rivers ...shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future 

generations. 

Section 10(a): 

Each component of the national wild and scenic rivers system shall be 

administered in such manner as to protect and enhance the values which caused it 

to be included in said system without, insofar as is consistent therewith, limiting 

39 National Park Service (2010b) Section 7(a) Saint Croix River Crossing 

40 National Park Service (1998b). NPS-28: Cultural Resource Management Guideline 

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other uses that do not substantially interfere with public use and enjoyment of 

these values. 

Regardless of whether recreation is an ORV, the WSRA acknowledges the importance of rivers 

and adjacent lands for public recreational use, and endeavors to protect the public use and 

enjoyment of designated rivers. 

3.3.5.1 User Capacity 

See Chapter 2, Section 2.2.1.2 User Capacity for a description and discussion of the WSRA’s 

planning direction on addressing user capacity to ensure that WSR values, including recreation, 

are not degraded by inappropriate kinds and amounts of use. See Steps to Address User 

Capacities for Wild and Scenic Rivers (IWSRCC 2018) for detailed guidance on addressing user 

capacity. 

3.3.5.2 Recreation Facilities 

The 1982 Interagency Guidelines (NPS and USFS 1982) provide direction as to the appropriate 

level of recreational development in WSRs: 

Basic Facilities: Wild river areas will contain only the basic minimum facilities 

in keeping with the “essentially primitive" nature of the area. If facilities such as 

toilets and refuse containers are necessary, they will generally be located at 

access points or at a sufficient distance from the river bank to minimize their 

intrusive impact. In scenic and recreational river areas, simple comfort and 

convenience facilities such as toilets, shelters, fireplaces, picnic tables and refuse 

containers are appropriate. These, when placed within the river area, will be 

judiciously located to protect the values of popular areas from the impacts of 

public use. 

Major Facilities: Major public use facilities such as developed campgrounds, 

major visitor centers and administrative headquarters will, where feasible, be 

located outside the river area. If such facilities are necessary to provide for public 

use and/or to protect the river resource, and location outside the river area is 

infeasible, such facilities may be located within the river area provided they do 

not have an adverse effect on the values for which the river area was designated. 

As with all proposed developments in a WSR corridor, recreational facilities must be designed 

and sited to protect and, if possible, enhance WSR values, and must be consistent with the river 

segment’s classification. 

3.3.5.3 Additional Recreation Management Resources 

For additional guidance regarding recreation management, see the following resources: 

• Northeast Region Commercial Use Authorization Website 

• Alaska Region Concessions Website 

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Fish and Wildlife Management 

Designation as a WSR does not affect existing fish and wildlife management authorities. Section 

13(a) of the WSRA states the following on the subject: 

Nothing in this Act shall affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the States 

with respect to fish and wildlife. 

However, projects to build structures or manage vegetation for protecting and enhancing fish 

and/or wildlife habitat must be consistent with the river segment’s character. Project proposals 

with the potential to affect the river’s free-flowing condition must be evaluated as a water 

resources project. 

Stream Channel Stabilization and Restoration 

Rivers are dynamic systems with frequent exchange of water and sediment between river 

channels and their floodplains. River channels are constantly adjusting to accommodate a range 

of flows and sediment produced in their watersheds. Rivers accommodate changes in flow and 

sediment through changes in channel width, depth, slope and pattern. For example, the meanders 

in alluvial channels naturally migrate causing erosion of outside banks and development of point 

bars on inside bends. This process may occur incrementally or in dramatic steps following 

extreme weather events. Channel migration leads to a variety of bed forms, and enables plant 

succession, enhances biodiversity, and contributes to ecosystem vitality. 

Many streambanks have been stabilized to protect streamside development such as roads, bridges 

and buildings. However, alteration of channel geometry in a reach or section of stream may have 

unintended downstream consequences. Hard engineering techniques using large rock and 

concrete that were routinely employed in the past, may result in adverse impacts to ecological 

processes and hydrologic function, and exacerbate downstream channel adjustment. 

The science and practice of stream restoration has advanced and evolved with increased efforts 

to reverse the damage caused to rivers by streamside and upland development.41 Many rivers 

have been re-meandered or otherwise restored using more ecologically acceptable techniques 

such as bioengineering to stabilize channel margins. These techniques are designed to look and 

act naturally, allowing natural processes and future channel adjustment to occur. 

Although most WSRs have largely been spared from streamside development, they still require 

management, protection and, when possible, enhancement of their WSR values. Changes to 

channel morphology should be expected to occur, whether due to normal channel evolution and 

adjustment as part of a river’s dynamic state, or from disturbances due to climate change or 

activities in the river corridor or watershed. In most instances, particularly if due to nonanthropogenic causes, these channel changes should be allowed to progress naturally toward a 

new equilibrium. 

41 The term “restoration” has various meanings. As used here, it refers to the restoration of self-sustaining 

ecological processes. 

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Often times, private landowners adjacent to WSRs may wish to undertake bank stabilization to 

avoid loss of property. Some useful suggestions for dealing with adjacent landowners can be 

found in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Guide for Riverfront Property Owners. 

Finally, there may be times when an active approach to stabilization or restoration may be 

preferable to passive recovery or necessary due to severe consequences or harm to the river 

itself. An example might be protecting a high-value structure threatened by channel evolution 

that cannot reasonably be relocated or protecting a streambank to ensure that contamination or 

pollution on adjacent lands does not reach the river. Consider the following in such instances: 

• Recognize that streams can self-repair and sustain themselves with the removal of 

disturbances. Choose the lowest level of intervention necessary. 

• Stabilization/restoration activities should have the overriding goal of reestablishing 

natural channel processes and enabling the stream to recover dynamic equilibrium and 

again function at a self-regulating level. Restoration should assist the recovery of 

ecological integrity. 

• Recognize that stream channel restoration requires a holistic understanding of the 

structure and function of stream corridor ecosystems and the processes that shape them. 

Interdisciplinary expertise should be brought to bear, including expertise in aquatic and 

riparian ecology, hydrology and geomorphology, and hydraulic engineering. 

• Restoration projects may be unsuccessful if they address only local symptoms without an 

understanding of the underlying watershed-scale or reach-scale causes. 

• There are many publications describing bioengineering bank stabilization treatments and 

other restoration techniques. However, restoration design should be driven by an 

understanding of the processes that shape the physical characteristics of a stream, rather 

than by any particular technique. For example, site-scale bank erosion can be caused by 

toe erosion, scour, mass failure, subsurface entrainment, or channel avulsion. The 

appropriate remedy will be different in each of these cases. 

• Where appropriate, bioengineering treatments can be used either independently or in 

combination with more traditional structural-based treatments to decrease streambank 

erosion, improve water quality and enhance riparian habitat. 

• In all cases, including projects proposed by the NPS, complete Section 7 evaluations and 

determinations and ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act, NEPA and other applicable laws before implementing stabilization 

projects. 

For additional guidance related to stream channel stabilization and restoration, see the following 

resources: 

• Stream Habitat Restoration Guidelines (Cramer 2012) 

• Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices (Federal Interagency 

Stream Restoration Working Group 1998) 

• Science Base and Tools for Evaluating Stream Engineering, Management, and 

Restoration Proposals (NOAA 2012) 

• Living Streambanks: A Manual of Bioengineering Treatments for Colorado Streams 

(Colorado Water Conservation Board, 2016) 

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• Integrated Streambank Protection Guidelines (Washington State Aquatic Habitat 

Guidelines Program 2003) 

• Director’s Order #77-1: Wetlands Protection (NPS 2002) 

• NPS Procedural Manual #77-1: Wetlands Protection (NPS 2016) 

• Director’s Order #77-2 Floodplain Management (NPS 2003a) 

River Access Site Design and Construction 

River access sites provide a convenient way for the public to access and enjoy their WSRs. 

Access sites can vary greatly from primitive trails that only provide carry-in access to highly 

developed sites with concrete boat ramps, paved parking, information kiosks, vault toilets, 

changing rooms, and campsites. While the developed sites provide for improved recreational 

enjoyment of designated rivers, they must be designed and constructed to protect WSR values 

and classification. 

In some cases, new river access sites or other site improvements can help protect WSR values. 

For instance, existing visitor impacts can be reduced by building carefully-designed facilities that 

direct use onto durable surfaces while discouraging visitors from impacting more fragile areas. 

In all cases, river access sites must be compatible with the river segments’ classification. A 

highly developed site may be appropriate for a heavily used recreational river segment, but out of 

character for a wild river segment. 

Some useful ideas and guidelines for appropriate design and development of recreational river 

access sites for carry-in watercraft are provided in Prepare to Launch! Guidelines for Assessing, 

Designing, and Building Launch Sites for Carry-in Watercraft, (NPS and River Management 

Society 2014). 

Bridge Construction, Removal, and Replacement 

Design considerations for bridge construction, removal, and replacement projects can greatly 

influence the effects of the project on WSR values. Construction activities related to bridges that 

disturb flow or sediment below the OHWM, or that have potential to otherwise affect a river’s 

free-flowing condition, water quality or ORVs, will trigger a WSRA Section 7 analysis. 

Generally, designs should seek to minimize the project footprint below the OHWM, use native 

materials for construction within the river channel, maximize hydraulic capacity, and avoid 

impacts to the river’s free-flowing condition, water quality, ecological, recreational, cultural, and 

scenic values by reducing post-construction effects on natural channel processes. 

Best management practices (BMPs) to protect water quality and aquatic habitat during bridge 

and culvert construction, removal, replacement, or refurbishing vary depending on the project 

scope, timing, project duration, and ORVs involved. However, there are several standard 

practices that can be implemented to avoid, reduce, or minimize impacts to WSR values. 

Standard BMPs include scheduling to avoid sensitive biological periods; erosion, runoff and 

sediment control; channel restoration; and riparian revegetation. Measures may include specific 

monitoring and reporting requirements conducted by resource specialists. Interdisciplinary onsite planning meetings and project reviews with project planners and equipment operators is 

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strongly recommended to ensure all involved have a complete understanding of project 

requirements. Resource advisors or environmental inspectors familiar with WSR values and 

required avoidance/minimization measures should attend pre-construction meetings and should 

be on-site during construction. 

Streams should be crossed at the location and time least damaging to fishery and aquatic 

organisms, and generally at right angles. Bridges that span the river channel are preferred over 

bridges with in-river piers. If in-stream piers are proposed, the project should not disrupt the 

free-flowing condition of the river. Bridges commonly serve as access points for river-based 

recreation. Ensure that replacement bridge designs and construction methods serve to protect 

and enhance access. 

Baseline inventories of ORV-dependent aquatic and terrestrial resources (including natural, 

cultural, and recreational resources) are essential to inform the planning process. For areas 

supporting federally listed species, informal and/or formal consultation with the US Fish and 

Wildlife Service may be necessary, as well as consultation with the SHPO and THPO for cultural 

resources. 

Include the project start date, construction sequencing/phasing, bridge dimensions, number of 

piers, location of staging areas and design features (e.g., decking, abutments, rail design, 

lighting, and signage) in project proposals, as well as hydrologic/hydraulic data and measures to 

avoid or minimize harm. Design charrettes and artist renderings or computer-generated 

schematics of bridge design options can be useful, particularly for projects that may have an 

impact to scenic and recreational values. 

For complex projects or those that could have significant impacts, consider requesting technical 

assistance from the appropriate NPS regional and/or national support office (e.g., WRD 

hydrologists, Geologic Resources Division geologists, or engineers). 

Refer to Appendix_I: Examples of Best Practices and Required Measures for Bridge 

Construction for BMPs that are applicable to many bridge projects. Many of these were 

developed as an outcome of post-project reviews. The statements can be inserted into contracts 

or agreements associated with bridge projects. 

For additional guidance related to bridge construction, removal, and replacement, see the 

following resources: 

• Section 7 examples involving bridge projects 

• Bridge design aesthetics 

o Flexibility in Highway Design (FHWA no date) 

o Bridge Aesthetics Sourcebook: Practical Ideas for Short and Medium Span 

Bridges (Transportation Research Board 2009) 

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Projects Subject to Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act 

Section 4(f) refers to the original section within the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 

1966 (DOT Act42) (recodified in 49 U.S.C. Section 303(c) and 23 U.S.C. Section 138). The DOT 

Act was enacted to ensure that transportation plans and programs include measures to maintain 

or enhance the natural beauty of publicly-owned public parks, recreation areas, and 

wildlife/waterfowl refuges and historic sites of local, state or national significance... 

WSRs may qualify as a Section 4(f) property, but designation of a river under the WSRA does 

not invoke Section 4(f) in the absence of significant Section 4(f) attributes and qualities. The 

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) determines on a case-by-case basis whether Section 

4(f) applies in consultation with the river-administering agency. For example, Section 4(f) may 

apply to reaches of designated WSRs that are publicly owned, open to the public and include 

recreation as a primary purpose, feature, attribute, or value. Where the CRMP does not identify 

specific uses or where there is no plan, the transportation agency must consult further with the 

river-administering agency to make a Section 4(f) determination. Privately owned lands in a 

WSR corridor are not subject to Section 4(f) except for historic/archeologic sites that are listed in 

the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or are eligible for listing. 

A DOT agency (usually FHWA) cannot approve a transportation project or program requiring 

the use of Section 4(f) properties unless the following conditions apply: 

• There is no feasible and prudent alternative to using that land; and the program or project 

includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the Section 4(f) property, OR 

• The DOT agency determines that the use of the property will have a minimal impact, and 

the finding of the DOT agency has received concurrence from the river-administering 

agency (officials with jurisdiction). 

Possible application of Section 4(f) is based on potential impacts, either by the permanent or 

temporary incorporation of land into a transportation facility or by proximity effects (e.g., noise, 

visual, atmospheric, or access) that could substantially impair protected public parks, recreation 

areas, wildlife/waterfowl refuges or historic sites. Examples of constructive use include noise, 

vibration, restricted access, and disturbance of wildlife. The regulation includes a detailed list of 

limitations that apply to this general definition.43 

Section 4(f) provides significant authority to the Department of Interior (DOI)/NPS to protect 

WSR Section 4(f) properties by ensuring DOI/NPS recommendations for avoidance alternatives 

and/or minimization techniques are considered during the planning process. While Section 4(f) 

compliance review is performed in coordination with the DOI/NPS for qualifying properties, the 

authority to administer and make Section 4(f) approvals ultimately resides with DOT. However, 

DOI/NPS concurrence on any DOT Section 4(f) compliance documents must clearly state 

DOI/NPS Section 4(f) approval is contingent upon a favorable Section WSRA 7 determination 

for the same project. See Chapter 4: Section 4.9.4 Department of Transportation/Federal 

42 Public Law 89-670 

43 See 23 CFR 774.15 

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Highway Administration for information on coordinating WSRA Section 7 and Section 4(f) 

responses. 

Suggested BMPs for protecting WSR Section 4(f) resources are provided below: 

• Clearly identify the historic properties, fish and wildlife resources, and recreational 

experiences that are important to the WSRA in the CRMP or other management 

document, including any significant attributes related to the river’s ORVs. 

• Review DOI’s 4(f) Handbook and Section 4f Practitioner’s Handbook prepared by the 

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

Understand FHWA definitions for “prudent,” “feasible,” “least overall harm,” “use,” 

“constructive use,” and “de minimis.” 

• Meet with your NPS Regional Environmental Coordinator and outline a coordination 

process along with roles and responsibilities for complex NEPA documents involving 

Section 4(f) properties and/or Section 7 review. 

• Consider a variety of methods to minimize harm. Some examples include changes in 

horizontal and vertical alignment; parking or access improvements; buffer zones; 

aesthetic design features such as tinted concrete, surface textures, or stone/brick facings; 

addition of recreational facilities; and improvements to water quality through water 

diversions from parking/road/bridge decks to filtration basins. 

• Meet with DOT, particularly FHWA staff in your state(s) to discuss Section 4(f) 

applicability, identify the Section 4(f) review process, and determine how to coordinate 

the planning and compliance process when both WSRA Section 7 and DOT Act Section 

4(f) are involved. 

• Meet with the state administering agencies and/or partners for WSRs designated under 

Section 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA to discuss Section 4(f) applicability, WSR values, and the 

significance of the identified ORVs. 

• Begin coordination with DOT/FHWA as early in the process as possible, particularly if 

Section 7 also is triggered. 

• Carefully review all de minimis statements submitted by a DOT agency and ensure no 

other practicable opportunities are available to avoid use or to minimize harm before 

formally offering concurrence with a de minimis finding. Once NPS concurs, the agency 

cannot require additional measures to avoid/minimize harm. 

Corridor Development 

3.3.11.1 Energy, Communication, and Other Facilities 

Developments that may be proposed within a WSR corridor include energy infrastructure (e.g., 

underground pipelines, overhead transmission lines, or wind turbines), communication towers, 

transportation facilities, water supply, waste disposal, and recreation and park infrastructure. If 

improperly designed, located, constructed, or maintained, any of these developments could harm 

designated WSR values. The cumulative impact of multiple actions can magnify adverse effects. 

Keep this in mind when undertaking any project and plan, design, and implement the project in a 

manner that protects and enhances WSR values. Early coordination with project sponsors (or inpark divisions) should occur on-site to discuss the proposal as early as possible in the planning 

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process. When planning for or reviewing corridor developments, consider the timing, degree, and 

intensity of direct, secondary, and cumulative impacts to WSR values and understand the effects 

on ecological systems, adjacent lands, aesthetics, and specific ORVs. This may require the 

collection of additional data. Discuss with project planners if there are other viable yet lessimpacting alternatives. Ensure resource advisors or environmental inspectors are familiar with 

the WSR values and all required avoidance and minimization measures, that they attend preconstruction meetings, and are on-site during construction. 

Section 13(g) of the WSRA addresses rights-of-way (ROWs) on park lands within the WSR 

corridor: 

The Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as the case may be, 

may grant easements and rights-of-way upon, over, under, across, or through any 

component of the national wild and scenic rivers system in accordance with the 

laws applicable to the national park system and the national forest system, 

respectively: Provided, that any conditions precedent to granting such easements 

and rights-of-way shall be related to the policy and purpose of this Act. 

Corridor development projects must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, particularly as the 

design, scope, and protected values of different rivers vary. In every case, a project review in 

consultation with the Regional Lands Office is advised to ensure any issued ROWs are 

compatible with Section 10, Section 13, and other provisions of the WSRA. The NPS is not 

required to grant access if a proposed ROW cannot be conditioned to protect WSR values and 

classification. 

Consider the following standard BMPs for corridor development projects: 

• Determine whether a proposed ROW is consistent with protection and enhancement of 

WSR values, the river’s classification, and the CRMP. Consider routing or locating the 

ROW outside the WSR boundary. 

• Use the narrowest width ROW needed to facilitate construction and maintenance. 

Anticipate future needs to minimize additional intrusions. Consider co-locating or sharing 

ROWs for proposed utilities or facilities. 

• Co-locate utility lines (e.g., electric and water) on existing bridge crossings. Use 

underground installation for all new utility lines except where new lines are to be placed 

on existing poles, towers, or bridges or where burying is proven to be infeasible because 

of geologic or other environmental constraints. If necessary, aerial crossings should be 

designed to accommodate safe recreational use of the river and to avoid streambank 

disturbance during installation or maintenance activities. Towers and poles should be 

removed when above-ground facilities are eliminated. 

• Design/locate activities to take advantage of existing topography and vegetation; 

construct/maintain to protect against erosion and sedimentation of streams and related 

resources. 

• Establish minimum setback and other siting guidelines for river protection. 

• Minimize the removal of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, particularly near the 

riverbank. 

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• Avoid/minimize impacts to wetlands or floodplains: install erosion-control devices to 

protect rivers from sediment during construction and inspect/maintain throughout the 

duration of the project. When possible, plan land clearing during drier seasons 

(depending on topography/location/scope). 

• Set corridor low points of approach far enough landward of the water’s edge to direct 

runoff to a vegetated area away from any stream. 

• Sequence harmful activities to avoid sensitive seasons (i.e., breeding, nesting, spawning, 

or other vulnerable periods). 

• Use construction materials that blend with the natural setting (e.g., use matching color, 

texture, and/or shape). 

• Use bank stabilization materials that maintain and enhance the natural and aesthetic 

qualities of the river area. Use biodegradable materials such as burlap, jute netting, or 

blankets made from coconut fiber to hold vegetative plantings in conjunction with slope 

stabilization and other erosion and sedimentation control measures. 

• Consider that post-construction measures may be needed to restore the natural 

appearance of the area, stabilize riverbanks, discourage off-road vehicle or other 

recreational use, or to restore fish and wildlife habitat. 

• If revegetation is required, use native plant materials commonly found in the area and 

plant in a random fashion to avoid a plantation appearance. 

• Restore site to as natural a condition as possible immediately following construction. 

• Follow appropriate timing and methods when planting native vegetation to ensure 

maximum survival and growth of plant species (e.g., spring/fall). Manual watering may 

be required to establish plantings. 

• Consider temporary or permanent relocation of fish and/or other aquatic organisms as 

part of mitigation for open-cut work in rivers. 

• Consider installation of signs/interpretive exhibits or recreational access features as part 

of a mitigation package, where appropriate. 

• Conduct Section 106 reviews to ensure coordination and communication with SHPOs 

and THPOs. Remember that consultation with states, tribes, local governments, and the 

public should be structured in such a way as to better understand the cultural importance 

of the river to traditionally associated communities in addition to identifying cultural 

resources that may be affected by the proposed energy infrastructure, communication, or 

other facility project. 

3.3.11.2 Horizontal Directional Drilling 

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is the preferred method for crossing stream channels with 

pipelines rather than open-cut or other construction techniques, which are strongly discouraged. 

Horizontal directional drilling also can be combined with micro-tunneling technology to 

simultaneously excavate the borehole and install the pipeline. Open-cut work should be avoided 

but when necessary, should be conducted during low-flow periods, should avoid sensitive habitat 

(e.g., mussel beds or fish spawning sites), and must meet all water quality standards for 

discharges. Additionally, compliance documents, including Section 7 documentation, should 

include enforceable provisions to return the river bed contours and materials to original condition 

and to ensure that the pipeline is operated, inspected, and maintained in accordance with state 

and federal regulations. 

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Because of the complexity of HDD projects in terms of technical requirements, resource impacts, 

and planning issues, particularly for big river crossings, it is strongly advised that river managers 

consult with oil and gas development specialists within the NPS Geologic Resources Division. 

These specialists are well-versed in the latest technology associated with HDD boring 

techniques, BMPs, and planning for blow-out (“frack-out”) and/or spill prevention and response. 

Reviewing approved environmental documents associated with similar projects in river systems 

may also be helpful. 

Consider the following topics in planning documents for establishing avoidance and protection 

measures, as well as monitoring and contingency plans, for projects that involve HDD: 

• Geology and soils (e.g., soil compaction, paleontological resources, archeological 

resources, landslide risk, storm water management procedures, temporary and permanent 

erosion, and sediment control measures) 

• Inadvertent Discovery Plan for Cultural Resources 

• Water resources (e.g., water withdrawal amounts and thresholds, water discharge 

associated with hydrostatic testing, equipment spills, energy dissipation and filters for 

water discharges, dewater activities, protection of ground water, storm water discharge, 

wetland and waterbody crossing and stabilization procedures, and spill prevention plans) 

• Wildlife (e.g., nesting and spawning areas/time of year and intake screens and floats 

during withdrawal to prevent entrainment of aquatic life) 

• Vegetation management (e.g., clearing guidelines, restoration and revegetation planning 

[size, species, survival], and weed/invasive species prevention) 

• Soil handling procedures designed to preserve the integrity of the soil (e.g., topsoil 

segregation and decompaction) 

• Refueling and waste management procedures 

• Winter construction practices 

• Air quality and noise abatement 

• Commitments for spill response training exercises (i.e., who, what frequency, and time of 

year to include both winter and summer conditions) 

• Location of storage facilities for sufficient equipment response to mitigate an unintended 

worst-case release 

• Notification procedures in the event of a leak 

• Accounting of any unexplained loss of drilling fluids (slurry), including quantity, timing 

and properties 

• Monitoring plan for identifying "inadvertent return" of drilling fluids 

• Contingency plan for addressing any losses in an expeditious manner 

Protection of Wild and Scenic Rivers Values in Wilderness 

Section 10(b) of the WSRA directs management of any portion of a wild and scenic river that is 

within wilderness, as established by or pursuant to the Wilderness Act, shall be subject to the 

provisions of both Acts with respect to preservation of such river and its immediate environment, 

and in case of conflict between the provisions of these Acts the more restrictive provisions shall 

apply. 

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Protection of Wild and Scenic River Values on Non-Federal Lands in the Wild and 

Scenic River Corridor 

Standards and procedures for the protection of river-related resources on non-federal lands 

within WSR corridors are not well defined under the WSRA44. Consequently, this issue has been 

interpreted in different ways by agency staff and the public, creating a level of uncertainty and 

controversy in WSR planning and administration. Much of this controversy has been associated 

with apprehension about the use of federal land acquisition to protect river-related resources. 

Section 6 of the WRSA authorizes the use of federal acquisition and establishes limitations upon 

its use. However, federal land acquisition is often an inadequate or inappropriate tool for 

conserving resources located beyond existing federal lands. Congress never intended it to be the 

only tool available for the protection of land-based resources. Section 6 limits fee acquisition to 

an average of 100 acres per river mile, and condemnation cannot be used if 50 percent or more of 

the land within the boundaries is already in public (including state and local) ownership. Stateowned lands can be acquired only through donation or exchange. 

In addition to the statutory limitations, political and institutional realities discourage the use of 

federal land acquisition. The purchase process is frequently slow, expensive, and controversial. 

Funds available to agencies for land acquisition are extremely limited and are subject to annual 

fluctuations, making it difficult to implement long-term acquisition programs. In many parts of 

the country, the mere possibility of federal acquisition can result in a political decision not to 

pursue designation. 

Furthermore, land acquisition is of limited utility in assuring the protection of many important 

river-related values, including resources influenced by land use outside the river corridor’s 

boundaries (e.g., wildlife habitat, water quality, and scenery) and adequate flows, which are 

dependent on both land use and non-federal allocation decisions. 

The additional measures needed to protect WSRs can best be provided through cooperation with 

state and local governments, landowners, and river-related NGOs in developing plans and 

agreements for activities inside and outside the designated boundaries. Section 10(e) of the 

WSRA authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements for the protection of 

congressionally-designated rivers: 

The States and their political subdivisions shall be encouraged to cooperate in the 

planning and administration of components of the system which adjoin State- or 

County-owned lands. 

This section of the WSRA recognizes the role of state and local governments in directing 

activities on non-federal lands within and adjacent to designated rivers, and the importance of 

protecting watersheds through partnerships. It encourages a federal-state partnership in the 

collaborative development and implementation of CRMPs. 

Section 11(b)(1) extends this spirit of cooperation beyond WSRs: 

44 Some of this information is excerpted from Protecting Resource Values on Non-Federal Lands (IWSRCC 1996). 

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The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, or the head of any 

Federal agency, shall assist, advise, and cooperate with States or their political 

subdivisions, landowners, private organizations, or individuals to plan, protect, 

and manage river resources...This authority applies within or outside a federally 

administered area and applies to rivers which are components of the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers System... 

Rely on cooperative approaches to protect WSR values on non-federal lands. Available 

mechanisms range from voluntary measures and incentive programs to multi-party agreements to 

land use plans with or without regulatory measures. When selecting appropriate resource 

protection strategies, consider the nature of the resources to be protected, the threats to those 

resources, and the social context within which the protection strategy will be applied, including 

any concerns that it may raise within riverfront communities. Efforts that rely on voluntary 

measures or incentive programs will generate the least apprehension, but they will require 

diligent monitoring for compliance and often lack enforcement mechanisms. 

3.3.13.1 Voluntary Measures 

Voluntary measures are most effective in areas where landowners value their ability to serve as 

resource stewards. These types of attitudes usually require a good understanding of the effects of 

land use practices on natural resources. Through education and public programs, landowners can 

be encouraged to voluntarily implement BMPs that protect water quality, riparian functions, 

scenic values, and wildlife habitat. Examples of BMPs include maintaining a riparian buffer 

between lawns or cultivated fields and the river, fencing livestock out of the river, reducing the 

use of fertilizers and pesticides, and removal of invasive species. 

3.3.13.2 Incentive Programs 

Incentive programs can be used to encourage landowners to avoid potentially incompatible 

development. For example, reduced property taxes provide an incentive to keep agricultural or 

forest lands from being subdivided, and federal income tax deductions encourage landowners to 

donate conservation easements. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program administered 

by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and similar programs, were established to 

provide financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands, forests and 

wetlands for their related benefits. 

3.3.13.3 Agreements 

The NPS may enter into agreements with individuals or agencies to protect resources on nonfederally owned land. Agreements can be used for a variety of purposes, including to agree on 

methods of resource protection, pro-rate costs between parties, share technical knowledge and 

skills, or coordinate policies. Agreements can be designed to provide assurances about the 

development and use of land. For example, an agreement could state that the government will 

not seek to purchase or condemn any land that is the subject of such an agreement and managed 

according to the agreed upon guidelines. One disadvantage to agreements is that they normally 

can be terminated on relatively short notice, which may not provide the continuity of protection 

desired. 

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3.3.13.4 Land Use Planning 

Because of the potential for degradation associated with unplanned development and changes in 

land use, work with local jurisdictions in developing regulations and standards for zoning and 

private development. Options such as cluster development or transfer of development rights can 

allow for sustainable development while protecting river resources and corridor character. 

Cooperative land use planning efforts can take many forms, including area master plans, regional 

watershed management strategies, or even development of individual timber harvest plans. 

Before initiating a cooperative planning effort, carefully assess the current situation. This 

includes determining land ownership patterns; existing land uses and their effect, if any, on river 

resources; potential future land uses, including uses that might degrade resources or visitor 

experiences as well as those that might enhance them; and any lands that are a high priority for 

protection. The NPS may provide financial or technical assistance to review or develop 

ordinances, guidelines, or plans that may have an effect on protected WSR values. 

3.3.13.5 State and Local Regulatory Measures 

In general, regulatory approaches such as zoning work best in areas that already have relatively 

complex land use laws. This is the responsibility of state and local jurisdiction, not the NPS. 

However, in working with local partners to protect river values, NPS can offer technical 

assistance. Water quality, riparian function, scenery, and corridor character are some of the 

resource values that state and/or local regulatory measures can help protect. Examples of 

potentially useful regulatory measures include the following: 

• River corridor protection zones 

• Floodplain zoning 

• Local wetland protection 

• Aquifer or drink water protection areas 

• Building setback requirements 

• Septic system setback and percolation rate standards 

• Storm water, sedimentation, and erosion control regulations 

• Maximum slope requirements 

• Water quality classification and discharge standards (e.g., Class A, non-degradation 

and/or outstanding resource water designation) 

• Natural vegetation retention requirements 

• Timber harvest restrictions 

• Feedlot restrictions 

• Site plan review requirements 

• Allowable uses (e.g., agricultural, residential, or industrial) 

• Minimum lot size and/or river frontage requirements 

• Prescriptive landscape and/or structural design techniques to protect the visual character 

of lands visible from the river 

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3.3.13.6 Land Acquisition 

In situations where the strategies discussed previously are inadequate to protect resources or to 

accomplish desired management objectives, acquisition of land or an interest in land may be the 

best option. Although used infrequently, the WSRA does include authority to acquire a limited 

area of land and interests in land within the authorized boundaries of a designated river, and to 

acquire land that is partially outside the boundary of a designated river with the consent of the 

appropriate landowners. 45 

As an alternative to federal acquisition, consider land or easement acquisition by partners such as 

land trusts, watershed organizations, and municipalities. 

The term “acquisition” includes purchase of fee title, purchase of an easement, accepting a 

donation of land, or condemnation of fee title or an easement. For any purchase, appraisers 

determine market value based on comparable land sales. An easement is a partial interest in a 

property, resulting in restrictions on the deed that are binding on future owners. Use easements 

could permit some activities such as public river access, hiking, or picnicking. Scenic or 

conservation easements could restrict activities such as construction. Valuations are determined 

by current land appraisals performed with and without the easement provisions. 

Condemnation is the process of taking private property under the power of eminent domain. It is 

the right of government, or even assignors such as a utility company, to take private property or 

to create an easement on private property for the greater good of the public. Condemnation 

should only be used as a last resort; however, there may be some circumstances where a 

condemnation proceeding can result in greater compensation than a willing seller approach. 46 

State and federal rules and regulations are established to protect rights of the private property 

holder and ensure they get fair and just compensation for property being taken. This 

compensation includes loss of property and damages to the remaining property. Because of the 

extreme nature of condemnation, this type of action should be only undertaken with the 

concurrence and guidance from regional/Washington Support Office (WASO) Lands Program 

staff and the Solicitor’s Office. 

Under DOI’s policy (DOI 1982) for use of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, agencies 

carrying out their responsibilities for land protection will do the following (to the extent 

consistent with statutory authorities): 

• Identify what land or interest(s) in land need to be in federal ownership to achieve 

management purposes consistent with public objectives in the unit. 

• Use, to the maximum extent practical, cost-effective alternatives to direct federal 

purchase of private lands and, when acquisition is necessary, acquire or retain only the 

minimum interests necessary to meet management objectives. 

• Cooperate with landowners, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and the 

private sector to manage land for public use or protect it for resource conservation. 

45 For more information on federal acquisition under the WSRA, see A Compendium of Questions & Answers 

Relating to WSRs (IWSRCC 2017). 

46 See WSRs and the Use of Eminent Domain (IWSRCC 1998c) 

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• Formulate, or revise as necessary, plans for land acquisition and resource use or 

protection to assure the socio-cultural impacts are considered and that the most 

outstanding areas are adequately managed. 

Apart from the WSRA, a park unit’s enabling legislation may limit the number of acres the NPS 

may own. 

Commercial Visitor Services 

Commercial visitor services can play a very useful role in helping the NPS carry out its mission, 

including conveying to visitors the special values of WSRs. Private operators can offer goods 

and services to park unit visitors which aren’t provided by the NPS yet are necessary and 

appropriate for public use and enjoyment. These activities are reviewed and approved through 

either concession contracts or commercial use authorizations (CUAs), both of which can be used 

to address sustainable practices that protect WSR values. 

3.3.14.1 Concession Contracts 

The NPS generally issues concession contracts when there is a need to limit the number of 

operators or construct facilities in park units. A competitive process is used to solicit proposals 

from private businesses and to award concession contracts. After determining that a visitor 

service is necessary, appropriate, and feasible as a business opportunity, the NPS prepares a 

prospectus that outlines the requirements for operating the business. Interested businesses apply 

by submitting written proposals that respond to established criteria. Concession examples that 

may impact a WSR include food and beverage services or campground management. 

3.3.14.2 Commercial Use Authorizations 

The NPS generally uses a CUA when a service is appropriate for the area but there is no need to 

limit the number of service providers or construct facilities in park units. As a result, there is no 

need to employ a competitive system to award the authorization. A CUA allows suitable 

commercial services to park unit visitors in limited circumstances. The term of a CUA may not 

exceed two years and no preferential right of renewal or similar provisions for renewal is 

provided. Examples of CUAs include such services as boat launch and retrieval (e.g., canoe, 

kayak, or rafting); food vendor, guide (i.e., guided float or fishing trips), and transportation. 

Another example includes yurt, tent, or camping facility setup on public property. For additional 

information on commercial visitor services, see Chapter 10: Commercial Visitor Services (NPS 

2006a) in Management Policies 2006 (NPS 2006), and contact your regional CUA coordinator. 

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 

Incorporate WSR messaging into the WSR’s or park unit’s overall interpretive program. Build 

education and outreach projects around the fundamental purposes for which the WSR was 

designated, for example, a Junior River Ranger program. To maintain the integrity of these 

topics and remain consistent, develop a framework for outreach programs. A recommended 

framework is outlined below: 

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• Purpose Statement: The purpose statement summarizes the specific topic and goals of a 

program and provides an accurate, concrete understanding of what the program covers. It 

should be precise, concise, clear, and stated in terms of desired outcomes. 

• WSR Values: Foundation statements, WSR values statements, and CRMPs describe the 

water quality, free flowing condition, and ORVs of the WSR that are to be protected and 

provide the information that guide interpretive messaging. 

• Interpretive Themes: Interpretive themes are the primary messages about the river (i.e., 

the fundamental ideas, concepts, and inherent meanings) that should be readily apparent 

and accessible to all visitors. Depending on the complexity of the WSR’s resources and 

the breadth of its offerings, each major theme may accommodate several concepts or 

subthemes that help interpreters delve deeper into the stories and resources. The 

storylines collected within these concepts illustrate the WSR’s big themes in ways that 

invite people to have positive experiential, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral 

connections to the river. 

• Signage and Branding: Signs should use the NWSRS logo to identify a river as part of 

that system as described in the NPS signage specifications. Placement of signs should be 

consistent with direction in the CRMP or related sign plan. If the NPS Arrowhead is 

used, it will be posted consistent with guidance in Director’s Order #52C: Park Signs 

(NPS 2003b: and related supplementary materials, including The NPS and its Partners: 

Graphic Identity Framework).47 

For additional guidance related to education and outreach, see the following resources: 

• Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness and WSR: Final Management Plan and Environmental 

Assessment (BLM 2015) 

• Niobrara National Scenic River: Long Range Interpretive Plan (NPS 2010a) 

• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway: Long-Range Interpretive Plan (NPS 2005): 

• Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River: Comprehensive Interpretative Plan 

(NPS 1999) 

• Katmai National Park and Preserve, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, 

Alagnak Wild River: Long Range Interpretive Plan (NPS 2009) 

• Wild and Scenic Junior Ranger, English (NPS 2018) 

• Wild and Scenic Junior Ranger, Spanish (NPS 2018) 

• Tips and Tools for Community Engagement on Rivers (NPS 2018) 

EMERGENCY RESPONSE 

Floods, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural and anthropogenic events can result 

in significant changes to stream channels. Over time, affected streams will regain a new 

dynamic equilibrium. However, when important human infrastructure such as roads, bridges, 

and rail lines have been damaged or are threatened, tremendous pressure may be brought to bear 

on a WSR manager to allow immediate and perhaps inappropriate response, such as 

47 Also see Director’s Order #52A: Communicating the NPS Mission (NPS 2001) and Director’s Order #52B: 

Graphic Design Standards (NPS 2012a) 

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channelizing, snagging, or heavily armoring a migrating, aggrading, or eroding channel. 

Develop strategies to address emergency response and to avoid after-the-fact Section 7 

determinations. See Chapter 4: Section 4.10 Emergencies and After-the-Fact Permits. 

The NPS is participating in the IWSRCC effort to develop a white paper addressing 

transportation and infrastructure projects within the vicinity of WSRs and emergency response. 

This paper will emphasize the importance of having an emergency response plan, and how to 

respond in a manner that ensures life/safety goals while preserving and protecting WSR values. 

CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS 

Preserving a WSR’s present or desired conditions into the future in the face of climate change 

presents a challenge for river managers. In the past, a river manager might have looked to 

historical conditions as an indication of expected or desired conditions in the future. However, 

considering today's changing climate, the past is no longer necessarily a good indicator of the 

future. Climate change will have some level of impact on the nation’s free-flowing rivers and 

their associated values, but the specific nature and extent of impact is uncertain given the 

capabilities of today’s predictive models and will vary by geographic region. Anticipate possible 

changes in any or all aspects of a river’s flow regime, including magnitude, frequency, duration, 

timing and rate of change, and associated changes in channel morphology and aquatic habitat. 

The Climate Change Response Strategy (NPS 2010) lists several goals pertinent to WSR 

planning and management: 

• Goal 1: Use best available scientific data and knowledge to inform decision making 

about climate change. 

• Goal 5: Incorporate climate change considerations and responses in all levels of NPS 

planning. 

• Goal 6: Implement adaptation strategies that promote ecosystem resilience and enhance 

restoration, conservation, and preservation of park resources. 

• Goal 7: Develop, prioritize, and implement management strategies to preserve climatesensitive cultural resources. 

It is important to understand the range of possible climate futures based on credible science and 

to plan and manage WSRs with that understanding. New tools and resources have been 

developed to assist managers in their planning activities. Three of these resources are presented 

below: 

• Climate Change Scenario Planning: Scenario planning is a tool adopted by NPS to plan 

and manage park resources under the uncertainty of a changing climate. Scenario 

planning is a “living process” designed to support management decisions under situations 

of high uncertainty and lack of control. Scenario planning is not a technique for 

predicting the most probable future. Rather, the objective is to develop and test decisions 

under a variety of plausible futures. In 2013, NPS completed a handbook on climate 

change scenario planning (Using Scenarios to Explore Climate Change: A Handbook for 

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Practitioners [NPS 2013b]) that provides guidance and references for those with some 

experience in scenario planning. 

• Climate-Smart Conservation: The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has prepared 

guidance on adapting to climate change that is being taught on a national scale by the 

NWF (Climate Smart Conservation: Putting Adaptation Principles into Practice [Stein et 

al. 2014]). Climate-Smart Conservation helps to answer the question, “What should we 

be doing differently considering climate change, and what actions continue to make 

sense?” The Climate-Smart Conservation guidance describes a seven-step, iterative 

process for integrating concepts and tools of climate-smart conservation into existing 

work. 

• In 2014, NPS signed a policy memorandum on responding to climate change and its 

potential effects on cultural resources. The NPS Climate Change Response Program 

prepared The Cultural Resources Climate Change Strategy to address the need for a 

framework to address climate change response for cultural resources. 

Understanding the range of plausible climate futures and related influences on free-flowing 

rivers will help guide thoughtful discussions from a landscape perspective during efforts such as 

Section 7 evaluations or development of CRMPs. Seen through the lens of plausible climate 

scenarios, it may be apparent that a given water resources project may jeopardize a river’s 

protected values. Or it may be evident that continuing certain river management prescriptions in 

the CRMP is an unwise expenditure of time and resources given possible climate futures. In 

some cases, entirely new management approaches may be prudent. 

Management strategies that consider climate change may include activities that promote 

resilience or “rebound” capacity for the free-flowing river system, such as removing or 

minimizing other anthropogenic stressors or restoring degraded riparian habitat. Scenarios 

enable managers to make better informed decisions regarding what level of risk they are willing 

to take with future recommendations and investments. This process is sometimes referred to as 

"wind tunnel" testing. 

The impacts of a changing climate cannot be adequately assessed in isolation. Climate change is 

part of a broader context including many other environmental stressors such as development, air 

and water pollution, and increased withdrawals from freshwater aquifers. Some changes may 

occur in a relatively predictable way, while others may involve unexpected tipping points leading 

to unexpected and significant effects. These tipping points are hard to predict and there are 

many uncertainties associated with understanding or predicting future conditions. 

In all cases, responsibly managing WSRs requires learning from the past while simultaneously 

anticipating plausible and sometimes unprecedented future conditions. This may include 

revisiting management goals or plans periodically since these typically describe expectations 

based on historic conditions or outdated climate change information. New research is constantly 

updating our knowledge of future climate conditions.48 

48 See What We Know: The Reality, Risks, and Response to Climate Change (American Association for the 

Advancement of Science 2014) 

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PROTECTION FROM WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS AND 

HYDROPOWER PROJECT WORKS - SECTION 7 

With the passage of the WSRA, Congress declared that the “...established national policy of dam 

and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be 

complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their 

free flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national 

conservation purposes.” While the WSRA provides several important measures to protect and 

enhance the values for which rivers are added to the NWSRS, none is more significant than the 

restrictions imposed by Section 7 of the WSRA on water resources projects (e.g., dams, 

diversions, riprap, channelization, and other construction projects or activities that affect freeflowing condition) and on FERC licensed hydropower project works. This key provision directs 

federal agencies to protect the free-flowing condition and other values of designated rivers and 

congressionally authorized study rivers. 

This chapter provides the statutory background for Section 7 of the WSRA, defines key terms, 

discusses when the need for a Section 7 evaluation document is triggered, the evaluation 

standard to be used, how to do an evaluation and make a determination, and suggests some best 

practices for coordination with other agencies and laws. 

For additional information on implementing Section 7, refer to Director’s Order #46: WSRs 

(NPS 2015) and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Section 7 (IWSRCC 2004). These documents fully 

describe the standards and procedures that are used in evaluating the effects of proposed water 

resources projects and in determining where hydropower projects licensed by FERC can be 

located with respect to WSR corridors. See suggested links to related IWSRCC technical 

reports, example evaluations, determination transmittal letters, and other resources throughout 

this chapter. 

STATUTORY BACKGROUND 

Section 7(a) of the WSRA states the following: 

The Federal Power Commission [FERC] shall not license the construction of any 

dam, water conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project 

works under the Federal Power Act, as amended, on or directly affecting any 

river which is designated in section 3 of this Act as a component of the national 

wild and scenic rivers system or which is hereafter designated for inclusion in 

that system, and no department or agency of the United States shall assist by loan, 

grant, license, or otherwise in the construction of any water resources project that 

would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which such river was 

established, as determined by the Secretary charged with its administration. 

Nothing contained in the foregoing sentence, however, shall preclude licensing of, 

or assistance to, developments below or above a wild, scenic or recreational river 

area or on any stream tributary thereto which will not invade the area or 

unreasonably diminish the scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values 

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present in the area on the date of designation of a river as a component of the 

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 

Section 7(a) explicitly prohibits FERC from licensing the construction of any new dam, water 

conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other FERC hydropower project works on 

or directly affecting a designated river segment. The NPS makes the determination of whether a 

proposed FERC project is on or directly affecting a segment for all WSRs it manages directly or 

in partnership, and on most state-administered components of the NWSRS,

49 except where an 

interagency memorandum of understanding (MOU) specifies otherwise. 

Section 7(a) also provides each river designated into the NWSRS with permanent protection 

from federally licensed or assisted dams,50 diversions, channelization, or other water resources 

projects that would have a direct and adverse effect on its free‐flowing condition, water quality, 

or ORVs, or for projects upstream, downstream, or on a tributary upstream of the lateral 

boundary of designated segments, that would invade or unreasonably diminish the segment’s 

fish, wildlife, scenic, or recreational resources. 

The NPS conducts a Section 7 evaluation to analyze the effect of a proposed water resources 

project on a WSR. Federal actions may not proceed unless the NPS (when NPS is the lead 

federal-administering agency for the purposes of Section 7) has determined in writing that the 

proposed project fully meets the requirements of the WSRA. Consistent with the WSRA, the 

NPS may not implement or consent to implementation of a water resources project constructed 

or assisted by another federal agency if such project is found to exceed the threshold of the 

appropriate standard (see Chapter 4 Section 4.3 Evaluation Standards). Typically, the baseline 

for evaluating impacts to protected river resources is the condition on the date of designation. 

However, if river conditions have improved since the date of designation, the NPS will base 

Section 7 determinations upon the enhanced condition. 51, 52 

Secti=on 7(b) provides essentially identical protection for congressionally-authorized study 

rivers, except it eliminates the word “unreasonably” from the standard pertaining to projects 

outside the designated segments, making protection during the study process stronger. Section 

7(b) provides protection from FERC hydropower and water resources projects for three years 

from the date the study report is transmitted to Congress, regardless of the report’s findings with 

respect to the study river’s eligibility and suitability for designation. If a governor later 

recommends designation under Section 2(a)(ii) of a previously authorized 5(a) study river, 

Section 7(b) protections apply for one year from the date the application is received by the 

Secretary of the Interior. 

Agency-identified 5(d)(1) study rivers found eligible or suitable for the NWSRS through NPS 

planning processes are not afforded Section 7 protections from proposed hydroelectric facilities 

49 The BLM has responsibility for the Wallowa WSR in Oregon, which is state-administered. 

50 In addition to FERC-licensed hydropower dams, other dams are also covered such as those constructed or assisted 

by Bureau of Reclamation, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), or Natural 

Resources Conservation Service. 

51 Section 10 of the WSRA directs that these resources values be protected and enhanced, and the 1982 Interagency 

Guidelines (NPS and USFS 1982) interpret Section 10 as creating a non-degradation and enhancement policy. 

52 See Section 4.11 in Director’s Order #46: WSRs. 

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or federally-assisted water resources projects. However, the NPS must, within its other 

authorities, protect the values that make the river eligible or suitable, and manage the area 

according to its preliminary classification as described in Management Policies 2006 (NPS 

2006). Section 4.3.4 states that “[n]o management actions may be taken that could adversely 

affect the values that qualify a river for inclusion in the NWSRS.” 

This may involve conducting an analysis of the potential effects of a proposed project on the 

river’s free-flowing characteristics and other identified values. If a river is listed in the 

Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI), the federal agency involved with actions that could affect 

the segment’s eligibility or suitability for designation must attempt to avoid or mitigate adverse 

effects as part of its environmental review process and consult with the NPS if the proposed 

project would preclude inclusion in the NWSRS or lower the river’s classification (e.g., from 

scenic to recreational). (See Chapter 2, Section 2.1.1.3 River Classification). 

ACTIVITIES THAT TRIGGER A SECTION 7 EVALUATION 

A Section 7 evaluation is triggered if a proposal consists of one of the following: 

• Hydropower project works licensed by FERC under Part 1 of the Federal Power Act 

(FPA) that is on or directly affects a designated river or 5(a) study river53 

• A federally assisted water resources project on a designated river or 5(a) study river 

• A FERC-licensed hydropower project or federally assisted water resources project 

located upstream/downstream or on a tributary of a designated river or 5(a) study river 

For a graphic illustration of the projects that require a Section 7 evaluation and the specific 

evaluation standard to be used, see the Section 7 flowchart (NPS 2017).54 Section 7 may be 

triggered regardless of a WSR’s classification as wild, scenic, or recreational. There is no 

provision in the WSRA that suggests certain types of water resources projects are exempt from 

review or subject to different standards because of classification. 

Projects triggering Section 7 review must be evaluated regardless of their National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) pathway. A pathway resulting in a categorical exclusion does 

not eliminate the need for a full Section 7 analysis. However, the process of preparing a Section 

7 determination is not considered a federal action that triggers NEPA. In all cases, the federal 

agency assisting the action is responsible for meeting NEPA environmental review requirements. 

EVALUATION STANDARDS 

Implementation of Section 7 requires the application of rigorous and consistent interagency 

evaluation procedures to protect river resources. The NPS may not implement or consent to 

implementation of a water resources project constructed or assisted by another federal agency if 

the impacts of such a project are found to exceed the threshold of the appropriate evaluation 

53 Or 2(a)(ii) candidate river for a year after the governor’s application if the river was subject to a 5(a) study in the 

past. This applies to all 3 triggers. 

54 Also see the Section 7 flowchart on the Regulatory and Permitting Information Desktop Toolkit (RAPID) website 

for FERC Hydropower Projects. 

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standard. In addition, NPS may not accept mitigation to allow a project to proceed, since the 

original intent of the WSRA was to provide mitigation for dams and other river development. 

Section 7 identifies four different standards that are to be used for a Section 7 evaluation, 

depending on the circumstances. Section 7(a) addresses the standards to be used for designated 

rivers, while 7(b) addresses standards for 5(a) study rivers and 2(a)(ii) candidate rivers that 

previously had been subject to a 5(a) study (referred to in this chapter as “certain 2(a)(ii) 

candidate rivers”). The four standards are 

1. “On or directly affecting” 

2. “Direct and adverse effect” 

3. “Invade or and unreasonably diminish” 

4. “Invade or diminish” 

These terms are not explicitly defined in the WSRA or by the river-administering agencies. A 

single definition of the evaluation standards would oversimplify the rigor necessary in making a 

Section 7 determination and would not adequately reflect the inherent variation in condition and 

trend of resource values to be protected on a specific river. 

Apply the standards of Section 7 in relation to the intent of the WSRA. It is the NPS’s 

responsibility to explain the factors and evaluation process used to reach any conclusion. Base 

such evaluations upon science, law, policy, and professional judgement. Use an interdisciplinary 

team approach in defining issues, gathering data, and analyzing effects. Seek expertise as 

needed from park staff, specialists from other NPS offices, and other individuals or entities with 

pertinent knowledge. 

The correct standard to apply depends upon the type of project (FERC hydroelectric project 

works or water resources project), the river’s status (designated or otherwise), and the location of 

the project (within or outside of the corridor). 

On or Directly Affecting 

The “on or directly affecting” standard applies to FERC hydropower project proposals on 

designated rivers, 5(a) study rivers, and certain 2(a)(ii) candidate rivers. Under the FPA, FERC 

is prohibited from licensing the construction of dams, water conduits, reservoirs, powerhouses, 

transmission lines, or other project works if the project is “on or directly affecting” a designated 

river, 5(a) study river, or certain 2(a)(ii) candidate rivers. 

The IWSRCC interprets this standard as prohibiting FERC-licensed project works anywhere 

within a WSR designated or study corridor, including tributaries within the corridor, as well as 

uplands. It has not recommended applying the “directly affecting” provision to project features 

such as powerlines, water lines, and access roads that are located outside of the river corridor. In 

situations where FERC-licensed project works are located outside the river corridor but are 

judged to “directly affect” a WSR, consult with the NPS WSR Steering Committee and 

Solicitor’s Office. This may be especially relevant for rivers where there is no established 

boundary such as many 2(a)(ii) and PWSRs. It may also be applicable in cases where a 

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designated boundary is very narrow on one side of a river to accommodate wider boundaries in 

other areas to protect WSR values. 

Other facilities authorized by FERC, such as interstate power transmission lines or natural gas 

pipelines, are not regulated under Part 1 of the FPA and are not prohibited outright. However, if 

such facilities involve construction below the OHWM, they would be analyzed as “water 

resources projects” under one of the three evaluation standards below. 

Although FERC hydropower projects are generally prohibited in designated or 5(a) study river 

corridors, there are some special cases, especially with relicensing and mitigating the ongoing 

impacts of existing FERC projects that predate WSR designation.55 Hydropower issues and 

policies can be complex. For guidance, contact the NPS Hydropower Assistance Program and/or 

WSR Steering Committee. 

Direct and Adverse 

The direct and adverse standard applies to federal water resources projects proposed on 

designated rivers, 5(a) study rivers, and certain 2(a)(ii) candidate rivers, and may also apply to 

the relicensing of FERC hydropower projects that predate designation. Federal agencies may not 

assist by loan, grant, license, permit, or otherwise in the construction of any water resources 

project that would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which a river was 

designated. The WSR values applicable to this standard are free-flowing condition, water 

quality, and each identified ORV. 

This standard is more permissive than the outright prohibition on FERC hydropower project 

works. Because each river’s values are unique and the project scope will vary, use science and 

professional judgement to determine if the degree of direct and adverse effect associated with the 

project is of such significance that it would degrade the value(s) that caused the river to be 

included in the NWSRS. 

The standard does not allow for any balancing of impacts to WSR values (e.g., improving the 

condition of one ORV as a tradeoff for accepting an adverse effect on another). Similarly, 

adverse effects cannot be made acceptable through mitigation or compensation that improves 

some other resource value or characteristic without eliminating the adverse effect. An adverse 

effect determination relative to any river value prevents the federal-assisting action from 

proceeding, unless Congress takes additional steps to authorize the project.

56 

Invade or Unreasonably Diminish 

The invade or unreasonably diminish standard applies to proposed federal water resources 

projects and proposed new (or relicensed with a change in footprint or operations) FERClicensed hydropower projects located outside a designated river corridor. Projects outside a 

designated river corridor are those located upstream, downstream, or on a tributary to a 

designated river. Such proposed water resource projects cannot be federally approved or assisted 

55 The IWSRCC has long-held that such projects should be evaluated under the direct and adverse standard. 

56 Section 7 enables Department heads to petition Congress to intervene and allow a project to move forward. This 

has occurred, but rarely. 

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if they would invade the river area or unreasonably diminish the river’s scenic, recreational, fish, 

or wildlife values present on the date of designation. Note that this evaluation standard considers 

effects only upon these four WSR values, rather than upon a river’s identified ORVs. 

“Invade” means to encroach or intrude upon the protected river. “Unreasonably diminish” 

means that some minimal amount of impact to scenic, recreational, or fish and wildlife values 

may be tolerated as long as the impact is reasonable and does not invade the river area. The 

determination of what constitutes unreasonable diminishment cannot be pre-defined and must 

rely upon professional judgement considering site-specific resource conditions and trends.57 

Water resources projects with the potential to invade or diminish scenic, recreational, or fish and 

wildlife values typically include dams (including backwater associated with a downstream 

impoundment that invades a previously free-flowing WSR segment), upstream diversion 

structures, rip-rap and other forms of bank hardening immediately upstream or downstream of 

the WSR, and other water resources projects that are visible from the river. 

Invade or Diminish 

The invade and diminish standard applies to federal water resources project proposals and 

proposed new (or relicensed with a change in footprint or operations) FERC-licensed 

hydropower projects located outside 5(a) study river corridors or certain 2(a)(ii) candidate river 

corridors, but not to projects located outside a designated river corridor. Proposed water 

resources projects located upstream, downstream, or on a tributary to a 5(a)-study river cannot be 

approved if they would “invade the river area or diminish” the river’s scenic, recreational, or 

fish and wildlife values present on the date of designation. 

This standard is nearly identical to the standard for projects outside of designated corridors 

except that the word “diminish” is unqualified. Removing the word “unreasonably” provides 

greater protection during the congressionally-authorized study period or 2(a)(ii) evaluation 

period to help ensure that WSR values are not compromised, potentially precluding designation. 

CONDUCTING THE EVALUATION 

Procedures to apply the different evaluation standards, questions to consider in a typical analysis, 

and a suggested outline for an evaluation report are described in Appendices C, D, and E of Wild 

and Scenic Rivers Act: Section 7 (IWSRCC 2004) which have been adopted by the NPS. 

A Section 7 evaluation analyzes the effects of a proposed FERC hydropower or federally assisted 

water resources project on a designated, study, and 2(a)(ii) candidate river in a systematic 

manner and determines whether the project is approved. To be legally defensible, the evaluation 

process must be consistent and rigorous enough to support the determination. 

In conducting the evaluation, use information contained in NEPA documents related to the 

project prepared by other agencies. To assess project effects, the FERC hydropower or water 

resources project proposal must be described in sufficient detail. The federal assisting-agency 

57 See Section 4.1.1 in Director’s Order #46: WSRs. 

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and/or project proponent is responsible for providing the necessary information and fully 

disclosing the effects under NEPA. 

The depth of analysis necessary to reach a determination of whether to allow a project to proceed 

will depend on several factors, including the project scope, complexity, and magnitude of 

impacts; the project timing and duration; and the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts to WSR 

values. 

In addition to the procedures recommended in Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Section 7 (IWSRCC 

2004), do the following in all NPS Section 7 evaluations: 

• Describe what the evaluation is in response to (e.g., US Army Corps of Engineers 

[USACE] 404 Permit Notice, or Federal Highway Administration [FHWA] request), and 

indicate the date the application/request was received. 

• State the river’s WSR status and briefly summarize the purpose of the WSRA: to protect 

the river from negative effects of water resource projects and FERC hydropower project 

works on free flow, water quality, and the protected resource values. 

• Clearly describe NPS’s authority to review the project under Section 7. 

• Describe the elements of the project that trigger Section 7 by meeting the definition of 

FERC hydropower project works or a federally-assisted water resources project, and 

which evaluation standard will be applied. 

• Describe how the various project elements would directly, indirectly, or cumulatively 

affect each of the individual protected values in terms of timing, duration, and intensity of 

impact. 

• Draw a clear and concise conclusion of impact for each protected river value under the 

standard being applied (i.e., is the threshold exceeded or not). 

• Provide a list of preparers for the document, particularly for evaluations that are complex, 

controversial, or otherwise subject to challenge. Include all team members by name, 

title/office, and area of expertise. 

• Include a statement that the project proponent shall consult with NPS and receive 

approval prior to implementing any proposed changes made subsequent to a favorable 

Section 7 determination before the work proceeds. 

• Provide a list of special protective measures or provisions that are required for the project 

(See Appendix I for examples of required measures). 

DOCUMENTING THE DETERMINATION 

When documenting the determination findings, prepare your statement as exemplified below: 

Pursuant to Section 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the NPS has 

determined, on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, that this project will not 

[insert appropriate standard] on the free-flowing character, water quality, or 

[insert each ORV] of the [insert name of the WSR]. 

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Clearly indicate if the project may move forward or not, or if more information is needed to 

make a determination. 58 This can be accomplished by inserting a header (approval/denial) with 

a signature line for appropriate signature/title of approving official(s). Have the determination 

signed by the appropriate NPS authority (see Section 4.7 Signature Authorities). Ensure that the 

administrative record (AR) for each Section 7 determination contains pertinent documentation, 

including the data used to support the decision.59 A copy of the final determination must be 

maintained on file.60 

TRANSMITTAL LETTER 

Typically, a final Section 7 package comprises a cover letter briefly describing the project, the 

agency’s jurisdiction, the analysis process, and a conclusion with the findings of the 

determination. Attachments include the actual evaluation and determination. In some cases, it 

may be appropriate to include supporting documentation by reference only, such as when these 

materials are part of the AR and should be retained. However, they can be made available upon 

request. 

Once completed, send the Section 7 package (i.e., cover letter, evaluation, and determination) to 

the federal assisting agency. As a courtesy, and if permissible, send a copy of the package to 

other key stakeholders in the process, but only if the primary communication is to the federal 

assisting agency and the NPS agreed to this protocol early in the project planning process. 

SIGNATURE AUTHORITIES 

As delegated by the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the NPS has ultimate authority for 

implementing Section 7 of the WSRA on rivers that are part of the National Park System, NPS 

PWSRs, most state-administered 2(a)(ii) designated rivers, and congressionally-authorized 5(a) 

study rivers where the NPS is the lead agency. Director’s Order #46: WSRs delegates authority 

for all responsibilities under the WSRA, including signatory authority for Section 7 

determinations, to regional directors. Section 7 signature authority may be further delegated to 

park superintendents or regional staff by the regional director. Elevate projects that are 

determined to not be consistent with the relevant evaluation standard to the regional or NPS 

director for decision-making. Following are the specific NPS responsibilities for each type of 

WSR. 

58 Even when the WSR-administering agency has issued a negative determination (thus prohibiting the federally 

assisted water resources project), Section 7 enables Department heads to petition Congress to intervene and allow a 

project to move forward. Alternatively, Congress may act independently and move a project forward, 

notwithstanding the WSRA. This has occurred, but rarely. 

59 Also see WSR Publications: Example Section 7 Determinations and Introduction to IWSRCC WSRA Section 7 

Examples (IWSRCC 2008) 

60 Detail on where records will be maintained is provided in Director’s Order #11D: Records and Electronic 

Information Management. 

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Wild and Scenic Rivers Within the National Park System 

These WSRs are congressionally-designated under Section 3(a) of the Act and are administered 

solely by the NPS or jointly61 with another federal agency, flow wholly or partly within the 

boundaries of existing park units or were designated as separate “stand alone” park units. They 

are a part of both the National Park System and the NWSRS.62 Superintendents must review all 

proposed water resources projects, regardless if they are proposed by an outside entity or by the 

NPS. Superintendents are responsible for implementation of Section 7 and may be delegated 

signature authority for Section 7 documents. 

Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Determining the impacts of federally-assisted water resources projects on PWSRs is an NPS 

responsibility delegated by the Secretary of the Interior. This responsibility may not be redelegated to any other entity, regardless of the degree to which the entity shares other 

management functions. Regional river managers are responsible for implementing Section 7 and 

may be delegated signature authority for Section 7 documents. 

State-Administered Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Strive to maintain effective working relationships with the state administrator on 2(a)(ii) rivers. 

However, the NPS is responsible for implementing Section 7(a) on most state-administered 

WSRs63 despite the WSRA’s stipulation that such rivers be administered at no expense to the 

federal government. This responsibility may not be delegated to any non-federal entity. 

Signature authority may be delegated to superintendents or to regional river managers. 

River Parks with Enabling Legislation Similar to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 

Some rivers within selected park units have specific management responsibilities prescribed by 

Congress that are similar to the requirements described in the WSRA.64 In each of these cases, 

the individual park unit’s enabling legislation requires protection of the river’s free-flowing 

condition and associated natural, scenic, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, and other values. 

Sometimes, the park unit’s enabling legislation has special provisions associated with the 

particular river or an ongoing project. The enabling legislation may also impose prohibitions on 

water resources projects or require the evaluation of federally-assisted water resources projects 

under language similar to that found under Section 7(a) of the WSRA. While these rivers are not 

included in the NWSRS, implement the WSR-like provisions in a comparable fashion, consistent 

61 When a WSR is jointly managed by the NPS and another federal agency because the river flows through multiple 

jurisdictions, specific management responsibilities will be determined by the enabling legislation for the WSR 

and/or by agreement between the agencies.

62 WSRA Section 10(c) 

63 In California, a MOU has been developed for northern California 2(a)(ii) WSRs. While the NPS has (by default) 

the lead with all Section 7 evaluations on the northern California rivers involved, the MOU defines lead roles for the 

USFS and BLM when the river flows through lands within their jurisdiction. 64 For example, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Buffalo National River, Chattahoochee River 

National Recreation Area, Gauley River National Recreation Area, Little River Canyon National Preserve, New 

River Gorge National River, and Ozark National Scenic Riverways. See Wild and Scenic River – Like River 

Legislation for the WSR-like language in each of these designations. 

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with the rivers’ enabling legislation. In such instances, evaluate federally-assisted water 

resources projects within the identified river, as well as upstream, downstream, and on any 

tributaries to the river before federal actions can be approved. Federal assistance may only be 

provided if it has been determined in writing by the NPS that the proposed project would not 

violate the park’s legislation (see Appendix_J: Wild and Scenic River - Like River Legislation). 

In most instances, prepare the federal water resources project reviews and determinations in 

accordance with the requirements of Section 7(a) of the WSRA. Be familiar with the specific 

requirements of the WSRA and the park unit’s enabling legislation to fully understand the 

context for preparing water resources project determinations. Superintendents may elevate a 

proposed project to the regional director or director if the project is of particular concern or likely 

to be controversial. Early coordination with the Solicitor’s Office is recommended. 

Congressionally-Authorized Study Rivers 

During the study and for three additional years after the study has been transmitted for 

congressional consideration, regardless of the study’s eligibility and suitability findings, 

congressionally-authorized study rivers are afforded protection from the adverse impacts of 

FERC hydropower and federally-assisted water resources development projects under Section 

7(b) of the WSRA. Rivers that have been authorized for congressional study and later 

recommended by a governor for designation by the Secretary of the Interior receive onp year of 

protection under Section 7(b)(1). During these periods, the NPS is responsible for implementing 

the provisions in accordance with the standards set forth under Section 7(b). Signature authority 

delegated to the regional director may be re-delegated to appropriate regional staff. 

RECORDS MANAGEMENT FOR SECTION 7 DETERMINATIONS 

The NPS is required to maintain proper records for each Section 7 determination. Proper records 

management may include a project or decision file, and if necessary, an administrative record.65 

The decision file contains the information and correspondence used to come to a Section 7 

determination and provides an organized and complete record for response to Freedom of 

Information Act requests and/or litigation. A decision file is not the same thing as an 

administrative record. An administrative record (AR) has a specific meaning under the 

Administrative Procedures Act: it is the record prepared after litigation is initiated. The 

Department of Interior (DOI) provides guidance on standardized procedures for compiling a 

decision file, and if necessary, an administrative record for judicial review. 

If a Section 7 determination results in litigation, a complete record will be invaluable to 

defending the NPS’s position as well as helping the NPS staffer recall the specifics of the case. 

It is important to keep all relevant documentation as part of the decision file, particularly any 

information or data used to support the decision. Relevant documentation includes both 

electronic and hard copies of all correspondence, transcripts or notes from phone calls that 

65 See Director’s Order #12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making 

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discuss requests for additional information or project details, cited documents and reports that 

have been summarized or incorporated by reference, and other substantive documents.66 

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 

Effective implementation of Section 7 responsibilities requires consultation between the NPS 

and other federal agencies assisting in the construction of a project. Knowledge of the authorities 

and roles of federal assisting agencies and early consultation with them will aid in the review 

process, promote opportunities for partnerships in WSR protection, and help avoid unnecessary 

costs and delays associated with project proposals that are unacceptable under Section 7. Work 

with the appropriate parties to ensure the Section 7 process is initiated at the earliest possible 

opportunity. There are ongoing efforts to streamline environmental review procedures. 67 Be 

sure to contact the NPS WSR Program Lead for the latest information when beginning a major 

new Section 7 evaluation. 

Coordinate Section 7 evaluations with the requirements of other laws and regulations applicable 

to each FERC hydropower project or federal water resources project, such as USACE Section 

404 permitting, FERC project licensing, NEPA, Department of Transportation (DOT) Act, and 

FHWA requirements including Section 4(f), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and 

others. Synchronize Section 7 evaluations with other environmental reviews to the extent 

feasible. Be pro-active in this coordination by identifying principle contacts and developing 

close working relationships with federal assisting agency staff, particularly regional and district 

USACE staff (Section 404 Clean Water Act [CWA] permits and Section 10 Rivers and Harbors 

Act68 permits), USFWS (Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Endangered Species Act, and other 

statutes), National Marine Fisheries Service (Endangered Species Act), and the FHWA-DOT 

Division Office for each state. Other potential assisting agencies are the Bureau of Reclamation, 

Environmental Protection Agency, Farm Services Agency, Federal Emergency Management 

Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development, and the U.S. Coast 

Guard. For background information on these agencies, see Implementing the WSRA: Authorities 

and Roles of Key Federal Agencies. (IWSRCC 1999a).69 

66 See Director’s Order #12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making and 

Director’s Order #11D: Records and Electronic Information Management 

67 There are deadlines with associated financial penalties for tardy Section 7 determinations on certain Department 

of Transportation (DOT) projects. Section 1306 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) 

Act (23 USC 139(h)(6); 126 Stat. 405, 535-36) establishes deadlines for WSRA Section 7 determinations for 

highway projects, public transportation capital projects, or multimodal projects that also require the preparation of 

an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment under FHWA’s/Federal Transit Administration's 

NEPA procedures. Financial penalties for tardy Section 7 determinations are substantial: $10,000/week or 

$20,000/week, depending on the cost of the project. For detailed information about the penalties, the 180-day 

timeline for Section 7 (and other approvals), including procedures for ensuring that NPS has all needed information 

to complete its review before the 180-day timeframe starts, dispute procedures, etc., see MAP-21 Section 1306 

Financial Penalties Questions & Answers. 68 33 USC 403 

69Note: The IWSRCC is working to update this paper. Check with the NPS WSR Program lead for current 

information. 

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United States Army Corps of Engineers 

One of the most common triggers for Section 7 determinations is USACE permit applications for 

dredge and fill activities under Section 404 of the CWA. Typical projects requiring USACE 

permits include bank stabilization, dredge and fill associated with bridge construction, and 

construction of boat ramps and docks, as well as a wide variety of watershed/fish habitat 

restoration and enhancement projects. The USACE process requires a written determination 

from the river-administering agency for such projects. 

An application for an USACE permit serves as an application for both Section 404 (CWA) and 

Section 10 (River and Harbors Act) permits.70 Section 404 permits are required for projects in 

what the CWA defines as “Waters of the United States.” These waters include rivers, streams, 

creeks, intermittent tributaries, natural ponds, prairie potholes, impoundments, lakes, and 

wetlands. Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act requires that regulated activities conducted 

below the OHWM of navigable waters of the United States be approved and permitted by the 

USACE. The scope of the USACE jurisdiction pursuant to these regulatory authorities is defined 

at 33 CFR 328 and 33 CFR 329. 

The USACE uses nationwide permits (NWPs)71 for authorizing a multitude of smaller projects in 

stream channels. These small projects can include recreational facilities, outfall and intake 

structures, navigation markers, and structures needed by utilities. For these projects, a separate 

permit is not needed from the USACE. However, the project proponent must notify the USACE 

that they are operating under an NWP. If the USACE approves use of the NWP for the proposed 

activity, then a list of terms and conditions applies to protect river environments.72 

Activities authorized by an NWP must still receive a written determination from the WSRadministering agency that the activity will not adversely affect the river, unless the activity is 

specifically exempted by the CWA, such as farming and silvicultural practices. 

The USACE’s NWP General Condition 16 - WSRs states the following: 

“(a) No NWP activity may occur in a component of the National Wild and Scenic River 

System, or in a river officially designated by Congress as a “study river” for possible 

inclusion in the system while the river is in an official study status, unless the appropriate 

Federal agency with direct management responsibility for such river, has determined in 

writing that the proposed activity will not adversely affect the Wild and Scenic River 

designation or study status. 

(b) If a proposed NWP activity will occur in a component of the National Wild and Scenic 

River System, or in a river officially designated by Congress as a “study river” for 

possible inclusion in the system while the river is in an official study status, the permittee 

must submit a pre-construction notification (see general condition 32). The district 

engineer will coordinate the PCN with the Federal agency with direct management 

70 See USACE Section 404/Section 10 Permits 

71 See an explanation of USACE Nationwide Permits 

72 The USACE reviews and updates these permits every 5 years; the most recent update was done in 2017. The 

IWSRCC strives to comment on USACE revisions to ensure WSR interests are adequately addressed. 

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responsibility for that river. The permittee shall not begin the NWP activity until notified 

by the district engineer that the Federal agency with direct management responsibility 

for that river has determined in writing that the proposed NWP activity will not adversely 

affect the Wild and Scenic River designation or study status. 

(c) Information on Wild and Scenic Rivers may be obtained from the appropriate Federal 

land management agency responsible for the designated Wild and Scenic River or study 

river (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Information on these rivers is also available at: 

http://www.rivers.gov/.73 

General Condition 16 requires pre-construction notifications for any nationwide permitted 

activity within WSRs. The “written determination” described under NWP General Condition 16 

is the Section 7 determination. 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

The FPA gives FERC exclusive authority to issue original and new licenses (relicensing) for 

non-federal water power projects. FERC hydropower projects are subject to Section 7 

prohibitions on project works that are on or directly affecting designated or study WSR 

corridors. Upstream, downstream, and tributary FERC hydropower projects require Section 7 

evaluation. FERC also regulates interstate oil and gas pipelines and interstate electricity 

transmission.74 These developments also are subject to Section 7 review if they involve 

construction below the OHWM on a designated or study WSR. The river-administering agency 

has the responsibility for making Section 7 determinations. 

For hydropower projects, FERC issues preliminary permits (reserves a site to investigate project 

feasibility but does not authorize construction), licenses (original and new/relicense), and/or 

exemptions.75 Generally, FERC will guide applicants to avoid building original hydropower 

projects on or directly affecting designated or study WSRs. However, issues related to Section 7 

of the WSRA for the relicensing and mitigation of existing hydropower projects can become 

very complex. Coordinate early in the process with NPS program leads for hydropower project 

effects on WSRs. 

For hydropower proceedings, participate at key steps throughout the FERC hydropower 

permitting process to help ensure that information necessary to complete the Section 7 

determination is available. Urge the FERC license applicant to gather the necessary data for 

73 2012 Nationwide Permits, Conditions, District Engineer’s Decision, Further Information, and Definitions 

(USACE 2017) 

74 FERC has limited authority over interstate electricity transmission. FERC does not have the authority to regulate 

transmission line construction. This authority rests with the individual States or State Public Utility Commissions. 

However, FERC can provide financial incentives to energy companies to propose and build transmission lines. It 

does this by allowing the companies to charge market-based rates to use the transmission system. FERC also has 

limited authority to site interstate electric transmission facilities if certain conditions have been met under Section 

1221 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 75 See the RAPID Toolkit website for information on the consultation process and applicable standards. FERC uses 

the term ‘original’ to refer to brand new licenses, for projects authorized for the first time. They use the term ‘new’ 

to refer to relicensing existing facilities. 

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NPS’ Section 7 determination when the applicant is putting together its proposed study plan and 

assist in that process. The suite of studies to develop a license application and the associated 

NEPA analysis should include a description of how the project’s proposed action and 

alternatives will affect the WSR values associated with the relevant Section 7 standard. 

Work to identify issues of concern early in the process and prepare a preliminary Section 7 

determination as soon as practical based on information included in the final license application 

and draft environmental documents. These documents should include an environmental analysis 

of alternative operating regimes and/or mitigation measures. Reserve the right to re-evaluate any 

preliminary Section 7 determination in the event the alternatives considered in the final 

environmental analysis modify the project, or otherwise create impacts not previously addressed. 

The final Section 7 determination will be completed after the final NEPA analysis is complete 

and a preferred alternative is identified. 

For rivers determined eligible or suitable for potential inclusion in the NWSRS through agency 

planning processes (Section 5(d)(1) of the WSRA), ensure that FERC is aware of the status of 

these rivers in its response to preliminary permits and license or exemption applications. Listing 

on the NRI or identification as an eligible/suitable river through agency study processes does not 

prohibit FERC from licensing a project. However, under Section 10(a)(2)(A) of the FPA, FERC 

is required to consider the extent to which a project is consistent with federal or state 

comprehensive plans. The NRI is listed as a comprehensive plan and FERC must take care to 

avoid or mitigate impacts to rivers listed on the NRI and consult with the NPS on project effects. 

National Environmental Policy Act Requirements 

Water resources projects in the vicinity of WSRs and assisted by a federal agency are subject to 

both the WSRA Section 7 evaluation and the NEPA process. For designated rivers and 

congressionally-authorized study rivers, the Section 7 analysis should be completed as a separate 

analysis and appended to the NEPA document. The river administering agency is responsible for 

conducting the Section 7 analysis and making a determination in accordance with the WSRA. 

Although a separate environmental document is not required for the Section 7 determination, the 

river administering agency may use information prepared as part of the NEPA analysis. The 

Section 7 analysis and final written determination is completed by the river managing agency. 

Responsibility for engaging the NPS in the NEPA process lies with the project proponent. 

Scoping notices for environmental review often provide an opportunity for early engagement in 

the planning process. NPS may provide input to a NEPA analysis during public notice periods 

that identifies the relationship of the project to a protected river and highlights the need for a 

Section 7 determination. This may alert project proponents at an early stage whether their project 

can proceed without violating the WSRA. 

The NEPA analysis should include a description of how the project’s proposed action and 

alternatives will affect the WSR values associated with the relevant Section 7 standard. If a 

proposed project is located below the OHWM of a designated WSR area and is determined to 

have a “direct and adverse” effect, or if a proposed project situated below, above, or on a 

tributary to a designated river area will “invade the area or unreasonably diminish” the values of 

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the Wild and Scenic River, the project cannot continue, except in rare circumstances where 

Congress provides specific authorization. 

The water resources project must be described in sufficient detail for the NPS to assess its 

temporary and permanent effects, including timing and duration of disturbance, equipment 

necessary, and staging areas. Additional studies and/or information may be requested if it is 

necessary for the evaluation. Requests should be made in writing from the federal assisting 

agency. Attend on-site meetings and follow up with written correspondence to document 

decisions made, information requested, and information shared. Projects must demonstrate that 

they meet WSRA standards. Providing necessary information and fully disclosing effects under 

NEPA is the responsibility of the assisting agency and/or the project applicant. Additional 

guidance is available from the IWSRCC about working on transportation and infrastructure 

projects. See reference to transportation landing page or Transportation FAQ. 

For more complex projects such as transportation corridors and bridge crossings, it may be 

desirable to provide the project proponent with a preliminary list of NPS concerns, which 

enables the project proponents to understand areas that may require additional attention to ensure 

consistency with the requirements of Section 7. The FHWA Red Book contains guidance related 

to synchronizing and coordinating environmental reviews. Contact your WSR SC representative 

for guidance on integrating WSRA requirements. Such coordination can help to establish and 

maintain positive working relationships. However, exercise caution. Once a position is put forth 

by the NPS, even if it is draft and the intent is non-binding, it can be misconstrued and could be 

subject to future litigation. Avoid making conclusions that may not be supported by those with 

signatory authority. Avoid making any conclusions in draft Section 7 evaluation documents 

shared with federal assisting agencies. Provide a written statement clearly maintaining that 1) 

NPS comments have been provided as early technical assistance, 2) comments do not necessarily 

represent a formal response or approval on the part of the NPS, and 3) the project cannot be 

authorized until a Section 7 determination has been rendered with an affirmative finding. 

Since a Section 7 determination is not a proposed federal action, the NPS is not required to 

conduct a separate NEPA analysis and decision regarding its Section 7 determination. However, 

when a water resources project is initiated by the NPS, the NPS is responsible for the decision 

under NEPA and the determination under the appropriate standard of Section 7. 

Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration 

Section 4(f) refers to the original section of the 1966 DOT Act that places restrictions on the use 

of publicly-owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife/waterfowl refuges, and historic sites of local, 

state, or national significance for transportation projects. Section 4(f) requires FHWA to consider 

these resources in the planning phase of major transportation projects. 

Most NPS managed WSRs meet the definition of publicly-owned parks and recreations areas 

that fall under the protective provisions of Section 4(f). For these WSRs, the FHWA often in 

coordination with state DOTs, is required to seek concurrence from the river administering 

agency to ensure that a proposed transportation project’s “Section 4(f) use” is in compliance with 

standards specified in the DOT Act. See Chapter 3, Section 3.3.10 Projects Subject to Section 

4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act for more information on Section 4(f) applicability, 

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the definition of “use” of Section 4(f) properties, and the standards that transportation projects 

affecting Section 4(f) properties must meet. 

Section 4(f) provides significant authority to the NPS to protect qualifying lands within WSRs 

and affords the NPS an opportunity to participate in project planning through a consultation 

process, which enables the NPS to provide recommendations for avoidance and/or minimization 

of impacts. Early NPS coordination with DOT is essential to identify avoidance alternatives 

and/or measures to minimize harm. 

Integrating Section 4(f) requirements into the NPS Section 7 process requires strategic planning, 

particularly for larger projects that contain multiple Section 4(f) resources that the NPS may be 

commenting on (usually within a single NEPA document). Importantly, until the NPS Section 7 

analysis has been completed and impacts of the water resources project are fully understood, the 

NPS cannot provide concurrence to the FHWA Section 4(f) statement associated with the 

proposed water resources project. Because of the complexities associated with FHWA planning 

and funding cycles, and the various environmental regulations that are in play (e.g., NEPA, 

Section 4[f], WSRA), it is essential that early coordination occurs between the transportation 

agencies and the appropriate NPS Regional office to allow the planning processes for the 

agencies to move forward without costly delays. In some cases, when full Section 4(f) 

concurrence is the anticipated outcome based on discussions with FHWA, a provisional 

concurrence letter may be provided, which outlines required avoidance and minimization actions 

that would likely result in a favorable Section 4(f) statement and favorable Section 7 

determination. The final Section 4(f) statement would then be provided once the final Section 7 

determination is issued. Most often, this would be included as part of the lead agency’s NEPA 

document. 

National Historic Preservation Act 

Federal agencies will typically be working with the river-administering agency to address WSRA 

Section 7 requirements at the same time as they are complying with other environmental and 

cultural resource requirements, including Section 106 of the NHPA. During such situations, 

work collaboratively to seek solutions that fully address the mandate of both the WSRA and the 

NHPA. Given the potential for overlap and differences between WSRA Section 7 requirements 

and those of the NHPA Section 106 process, see Appendix K: Section 7 Coordination - National 

Historic Preservation Act for recommendations on integrating reviews. Relying on the Section 

106 process to evaluate direct and adverse effects to WSR values may not be adequate for the 

proper administration of the WSRA. 

The NHPA and other cultural resource preservation laws provide tools to protect cultural ORVs 

in conjunction with WSRA Section 7. Take note on how these laws apply to cultural resources 

near a designated or study WSR because the laws have different geographic scopes, jurisdictions 

over the types of cultural resources they protect, and protection standards, plus different entities 

make the decisions. 

• Geographic scope: Section 7 of the WSRA applies to FERC-licensed hydropower 

projects located anywhere within the WSR corridor, federally-assisted water resources 

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authorized study and Section 2(a)(ii) candidate river segments. Section 7 provisions to 

protect values from the impacts of projects located upstream, downstream, and on 

tributaries of designated or study segments do not apply to cultural values because they 

are not one of the four named resources in this section of the WSRA. Section 106 of the 

NHPA applies to federal undertakings, regardless of location. Thus, Section 106 is 

broadly applicable within designated and congressional study WSR corridors, both on 

uplands and below the OHWM. 

• Types of cultural resources protected: Section 7 of the WSRA protects river-related 

cultural resources that are rare, unique, or exemplary on a regional or national scale and 

identified as ORVs. Examples of resources that may be identified as contributing to 

cultural resource ORVs and thus protected under Section 7 are bridges that qualify for 

listing in the NRHP, archeological sites and districts, historic districts, traditional cultural 

properties, and river-related structures associated with a cultural interpretive theme such 

as logging history. Section 106 of the NHPA and other cultural resources preservation 

laws protect a broader array of cultural resources including those that are not riverrelated, or otherwise identified as ORVs. 

• Standards: Section 7 of the WSRA has the potential to stop a federally-assisted water 

resources project because direct and adverse effects on WSR values must be avoided or 

eliminated. Section 106 of the NHPA allows a wider range of treatment options (e.g., 

avoidance, minimization, and mitigation), covers a wider range of federal undertakings, 

and addresses a wider range of potential adverse effects on historic properties. The 

NHPA addresses direct or indirect effects on any of the characteristics of a historic 

property that qualify it for inclusion in the NRHP (not limited to ORVs) in a manner that 

would diminish the integrity of the property’s location, design, setting, materials, 

workmanship, feeling, or association. A higher standard of care applies to National 

Historic Landmarks under Section 110(f) of the NHPA76 

• Decision Makers: Determinations under Section 7 of the WSRA are the responsibility of 

the Secretaries of Interior or Agriculture, as delegated to one of the four riveradministering agencies. In contrast, under NHPA, the lead federal agency makes 

decisions in consultation with the SHPO and THPO, Native American tribes, Native 

Hawaiian Organizations, other interested parties, and the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation. For the National Park Service, the Agency Official responsible for Section 

106 compliance is the park superintendent. Under Section 7 of the WSRA, the applicable 

WSR-administering agency may recommend measures to eliminate adverse effects, and 

the assisting or authorizing agency may submit revised plans for consideration. Under 

the NHPA, when the Agency Official has found that an undertaking may adversely affect 

historic properties, it must develop and consider alternatives or measures to avoid, 

minimize, or mitigate such effects, in consultation with the SHPO and THPO and 

interested parties. 

76 36 CFR 800.10(a) provides additional clarity to the statutory requirements of Section 110(f) of NHPA, which 

requires that the agency official, to the maximum extent possible, undertake such planning and actions as may be 

necessary to minimize harm to any national historic landmark that may be directly and adversely affected by an 

undertaking, including consultation with the Regional Office of the NPS in resolving the adverse effects. Also see 

the entire text of 36 CFR 800. 

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Section 10(c) Compatibility Determination for Park Units 

Section 10(c) of the WSRA states the following: 

Any component of the national wild and scenic rivers system that is administered 

by the Secretary of the Interior through the NPS shall become a part of the 

national park system . . . The lands involved shall be subject to the provisions of 

this Act and the Act under which the national park system...is administered, and 

in case of conflict between the provisions of these Acts, the more restrictive 

provisions shall apply. 77 

Compliance for water resources projects on designated rivers which are also units of the National 

Park System must include a compatibility determination, pursuant to the Section 10(c) of the 

WSRA. Park units must address proposals in terms of compatibility with Section 7 of the WSRA 

as well as the NPS’s Organic Act of 1916, National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998, 

Management Policies 2006, Wilderness Act of 1964, and the park unit’s enabling legislation 

and/or General Management Plan. The compatibility determination can be issued as a memo to 

the file, an appendix to a NEPA document, or within the Section 7 determination. It may be a 

short statement indicating the project, pursuant to Section 10(c) of the WSRA, is compatible with 

all other laws and policies to which the NPS is subject, or it may be more detailed, depending on 

the nature of the project. An example of a compatibility determination prepared as a 

memorandum to the file is provided in Appendix_L: Compatibility Determination Example. 

EMERGENCIES AND AFTER-THE-FACT PERMITS 

Emergency Projects 

Occasionally, the NPS receives a request for an emergency or expedited Section 7 review 

because of an accident or natural disaster affecting a designated or study WSR. A Section 7 

determination is required for any project that meets the criteria of a federally-assisted water 

resources project regardless of whether the project is the result of a human-caused accident such 

as an illicit discharge of drilling fluid, or the result of a natural disaster such as a flood that 

triggers the need for emergency bank stabilization or bridge repairs. Although a determination 

must be made according to established protocols, the determination process can occur 

concurrently and expeditiously to meet an urgent need. The format and extent of the 

determination in the event of an emergency may be concise, but every element of the evaluation 

process must be included in the final determination. 

Respond as quickly as possible in emergency situations where federal assistance is involved in a 

project subject to Section 7 of the WSRA. In other emergency situations, federal assistance may 

not be triggered during the event and, therefore, Section 7 would not apply. For example, under 

USACE rules, emergency maintenance of recently damaged infrastructure when there would be 

no modification changing the character, scope, or size of the original fill design is exempt from 

Section 404 of the CWA and would thus not require a federal permit. 78 Where emergency 

77 WSRA Section 10(b) has similar direction for WSRs within designated wilderness areas. 

78 33 CFR 323.4(a)(2) 

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situations can be anticipated (e.g., where frequent flood occurrences destabilize roads near a river 

and relocating the road is impractical), advance planning may be done to determine how a 

project could be carried out without having a direct and adverse effect on the values for which 

the river was designated. 

There may be rare instances where a determination cannot be made within the compressed 

timeframes of an active and severe emergency situation. In these situations, and at the discretion 

of the NPS, it may be necessary to provide a determination after a response to a natural disaster 

has been implemented. The Section 7 determination would be made in conjunction with any 

retroactive actions from the USACE and/or other federal agencies. 

After-the-Fact 404 Permits 

In the event that a water resources project is constructed without the appropriate permit and in 

violation of Section 404 of the CWA, the USACE may provide an “after-the-fact” permit as part 

of an enforcement action. This type of permitting action is still subject to a Section 7 

determination and represents an opportunity for the NPS to ensure that a project is consistent 

with the purposes of the WSR. When asked to review an after-the-fact permit, evaluate the 

project under the appropriate Section 7 evaluation standard. If the project is not consistent with 

Section 7, notify the ACOE that it cannot issue an after-the-fact permit. In such cases, pursue 

appropriate action(s), up to and including removal of the unpermitted project, to bring the project 

into compliance. 

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REFERENCES 

LITERATURE CITED 

American Association for the Advancement of Science (2014) What We Know: The Reality, 

Risks, and Response to Climate Change 

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2009) Practitioner’s 

Handbook: Complying with Section 4(f) of the U.S. DOT Act, Center for Environmental 

Excellence by AASHTO, May 2009 

Bureau of Land Management (2015) Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness and WSR: Final 

Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, Boise & Twin Falls District Offices, 

Environmental Assessment No. DOI-BLM-ID-B000-2011-0001-EA, April 2015 

Colorado Water Conservation Board (2016). Living Streambanks: A Manual for Bioengineering 

Treatments for Colorado Streams, AloTerra Restoration Services, LLC and Golder 

Associates, Inc., July 24, 2016 

Council on Environmental Quality (1980) Memorandum for Heads of Agencies: Interagency 

Consultation to Avoid or Mitigate Adverse Effects on Rivers in the NRI 45 FR 59190-

59192, August 11, 1980 

Cramer, M. L. (managing editor) (2012). Stream Habitat Restoration Guidelines, Co-published 

by the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, Transportation 

and Ecology, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, Puget Sound 

Partnership, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Olympia, Washington. 

Department of the Interior (1982) Policy for Use of the Federal Portion of the Land and Water 

Conservation Fund, FR 47, 19784, May 7, 1982 

Department of the Interior (2006) Standardized Guidance on Compiling a Decision File and an 

Administrative Record, Office of the Solicitor, June 2006 

Department of the Interior (2014) Handbook on Department Review of Section 4(F) Evaluations, 

Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, April 2014 

Department of the Interior (2020) Existing Categorical Exclusions, U.S. Department of Interior 

as of June 4, 2020. 

Fancy, S.G., J.E. Gross, and S.L. Carter (2009) “Monitoring the Condition of Natural Resources 

in US National Parks,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Vol. 151: 161-174 

Federal Highway Administration (2012) Section 4(f) Policy Paper, U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty Project Development and 

Environmental Review, July 2012 

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Federal Highway Administration (no date) Flexibility in Highway Design, U.S. Department of 

Transportation 

Federal Interagency Stream Restoration Working Group (1998) Stream Corridor Restoration: 

Principles, Processes, and Practices, GPO Item No. 0120-A; SuDocs No.A 

57.6/2:EN3/PT.653. ISBN-0-934213-59-3, October 1998 

Interagency Visitor Use Management Council (2013) Visitor Use Management on Public Lands 

and Waters: A Position Paper to Guide Policy, Edition 1, March 2013 

Interagency Visitor Use Management Council (2016) Visitor Capacity on Federally Managed 

Lands and Waters: A Position Paper to Guide Policy, Edition 1, July 2016 

Interagency Visitor Use Management Council (2016a) Visitor Use Management Framework: A 

Guide to Providing Sustainable Outdoor Recreation, Edition 1, July 2016 

Interagency Visitor Use Management Council (2019) Visitor Capacity Guidebook: Managing the 

Amounts and Types of Visitor Use to Achieve Desired Conditions, Edition 1, February 

2019 

Interagency Visitor Use Management Council (2019) Monitoring Guidebook: Evaluating 

Effectiveness of Visitor Use Management, Edition 1, June 2019 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (1996) Protecting Resource Values on 

Non-Federal Lands, Technical Report, October 1996 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (1998a) Establishment of Wild and 

Scenic River Boundaries, Technical Report, August 1998 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (1998b) An Introduction to WSRs, 

Technical Report, November 1998 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (1998c) WSRs and the Use of Eminent 

Domain, Technical Report, November1998 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (1999a) Implementing the WSRA: 

Authorities and Roles of Key Federal Agencies, Technical Report, January 1999 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (1999b) The Wild and Scenic River 

Study Process, Technical Report, December 1999 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2002) Wild and Scenic River 

Management Responsibilities, Technical Report, March 2002 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2003) Water Quantity and Quality as 

Related to the Management of Wild & Scenic Rivers, Technical Report, October 2003 

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Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2004) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: 

Section 7, Technical Report, October 2004 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2005) Wild and Scenic Rivers Guide 

for Riverfront Property Owners, November 2005 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2007) Designating Rivers Through 

Section 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA, Technical Report, June 2007 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2008) Introduction to IWSRCC 

WSRA Section 7 Examples, V.080408 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2010) Interim Management and 

Steps to Develop a Comprehensive River Management Plan, March 31, 2010 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2017) A Compendium of Questions 

& Answers Relating to WSRs, Technical Report, January 2017 

Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (2018) Steps to Address User 

Capacities for WSRs 

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (1979) Executive Memorandum to the Secretary of the 

Interior, August 2, 1979: White House Central Subject File, NR 7 (Natural Resources – 

Rivers, Waters, Harbors), Executive, “NR 7 8/1/79-10/2/70,” Box NR13 

Melillo, J., T. Richmond, and G. Yohe (eds.) 2014: Climate Change Impacts in the United 

States: The Third National Climate Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program, 

841 pp. doi:10.7930/J0Z31WJ2 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2012) Science Base and Tools for 

Evaluating Stream Engineering, Management, and Restoration Proposals, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-NWFSC-112, 255 p 

National Park Service (1995) Special Directive 90-4: Determination of Rivers on National Park 

System Lands which are Eligible for National Wild and Scenic Rivers System 

Designation, November 10, 1995 

National Park Service (1998a) Director’s Order #28: Cultural Resource Management 

National Park Service (1998b) NPS-28: Cultural Resource Management Guideline 

National Park Service (1999) Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River: Comprehensive 

Interpretative Plan, October 1999 

National Park Service (2000) Director’s Order #47: Soundscape Preservation and Noise 

Management 

National Park Service (2001) Director’s Order #52A: Communicating the NPS Mission, 

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National Park Service (2002) Director’s Order #77-1: Wetlands Protection 

National Park Service (2003a) Director’s Order #77-2 Floodplain Management 

National Park Service (2003b) Director’s Order #52C, Park Signs 

National Park Service (2005) Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway Long-Range Interpretive 

Plan, prepared by Harpers Ferry Center Interpretive Planning and the staff of St. Croix 

National Scenic Riverway 

National Park Service (2006) Management Policies 2006: The Guide to Managing the National 

Park System, August 31, 2006 

National Park Service (2006a) “Chapter 10: Commercial Visitor Services,” Management 

Policies 2006: The Guide to Managing the National Park System, August 31, 2006 

National Park Service (2006b) “Chapter 2: Park Systems Planning,” Management Policies 2006: 

The Guide to Managing the National Park System, August 31, 2006 

National Park Service (2007) Wild and Scenic Rivers: Charting the Course: Navigating the Next 

40 Years of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Recommendations of the Wild and Scenic 

Rivers Task Force to the National Leadership Council, April 13, 2007 

National Park Service (2008) Wild and Scenic River Steering Committee Charter September 23, 

2008 

National Park Service (2009) Katmai National Park and Preserve, Aniakchak National 

Monument and Preserve, Alagnak Wild River: Long Range Interpretive Plan, prepared 

by staff of Katmai National Park and Preserve, Aniakchak National Monument and 

Preserve, Alagnak Wild River, and Harpers Ferry Center Interpretive Planning 

National Park Service (2010) Climate Change Response Strategy, Climate Change Response 

Program, November 2010 

National Park Service (2010a) Niobrara National Scenic River: Long Range Interpretive Plan, 

prepared by Harpers Ferry Center Interpretive Planning and the staff and partners of 

Niobrara National Scenic River 

National Park Service (2010b) Evaluation and Determination Section 7(a) of the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers Act - St. Croix River Crossing Project, September, 2010 

National Park Service (2011) Director’s Order #12: Conservation Planning, Environmental 

Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making 

National Park Service (2012) Guidance for Designing an Integrated Monitoring Program. 

Natural Resource Report, NPS/NRSS/NRR-2012/545 

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National Park Service (2012a) Director’s Order #52B: Graphic Design Standards Draft: 60-day 

review closed June 2012 

National Park Service (2012b) Director’s Order #11D: Records and Electronic Information 

Management 

National Park Service (2012c) NPS-75: Natural Resources Inventory and Monitoring Guideline 

National Park Service (2013a) Wild and Scenic River Reconnaissance Survey of the York River 

Prepared by: National Park Service Northeast Region 

National Park Service (2013b) Using Scenarios to Explore Climate Change: A Handbook for 

Practitioners, Climate Change Response Program, July 2013 

National Park Service (2013c) Director’s Order #41: Wilderness Stewardship 

National Park Service (2013d) Reference Manual #41: Wilderness Stewardship, May 2013 

National Park Service (2014a) Keeping It Wild in the NPS: A User Guide to Integrate Wilderness 

Character into Park Planning, Management, and Monitoring, WASO 909/121797; 

January 2014 

National Park Service (2015) Director’s Order #46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 

National Park Service (2015b) National Park Service NEPA Handbook 

National Park Service (2016) NPS Procedural Manual #77-1: Wetlands Protection 

National Park Service (2016a) Wild and Scenic Rivers Values Workshop, Participant’s Guide 

National Park Service (2016b) Cultural Resources Climate Change Strategy 

National Park Service (2017) National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Roadway Signage 

Specifications, October, 2017 

National Park Service (2018) Tips and Tools for Community Engagement on Rivers 

National Park Service (in progress) Reference Manual #77: Natural Resource Management 

(NPS in progress) 

National Park Service and River Management Society (2014b) Prepare to Launch! Guidelines 

for Assessing, Designing, and Building Launch Sites for Carry-in Watercraft, Co-written 

by the NPS River and Trails Program and the River Management Society 

National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service (1996) Wild and 

Scenic River Review in the State of Utah: Process and Criteria for Interagency Use 

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National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service (2012) 

Memorandum of Understanding, made under the provisions of the Wild and Scenic 

Rivers Act 

National Park System and the U.S. Forest Service (1982) National Wild and Scenic Rivers 

System; Final Revised Guidelines for Eligibility, Classification and Management of River 

Areas, (aka 1982 Interagency Guidelines) 47 FR 39454-39467, September 7, 1982 

Oakley, K.L., L.P. Thomas, and S.G. Fancy (2003) Guidelines for Long-term Monitoring 

Protocols, Wildlife Society Bulletin 2003, 31(4): 1000-1003 

Office of Bridges and Structures (1995) Aesthetic Guidelines for Bridge Design, Minnesota 

Department of Transportation, March 1995 

Sokol v. Kennedy (2000) 210 F. 3d 876 - Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit 

State Highway Administration, Office of Bridge Development (2005) Aesthetic Bridges User 

Guide, Maryland Department of Transportation, Revised January 2005 

Stein, B. A., P. Glick, N. Edelson, and A. Staudt (eds.) (2014) Climate-Smart Conservation: 

Putting Adaptation Principles into Practice, National Wildlife Federation, Washington 

D.C. 

Transportation Research Board (2009) Bridge Aesthetics Sourcebook: Practical Ideas for Short 

and Medium Span Bridges, Draft, March 2009 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2012) 2012 Nationwide Permits, Conditions, District Engineer’s 

Decision, Further Information, and Definitions (with corrections) 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2017) Issuance and Reissuance of Nationwide Permits 82 FR 

1860-2007, January 6, 2017 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (no date) Army Corps Section 404/Section 10 

U.S. Forest Service (2020) Wilderness Character Monitoring Technical Guide, General 

Technical Report WO-80, October 2020 

Washington State Aquatic Habitat Guidelines Program (2003) Integrated Streambank Protection 

Guidelines 

Wohl E., M.K. Mersel, A.O. Allen, K.M. Fritz, S.L. Kichefski, R.W. Lichvar, T. Nadeau, B. J. 

Topping, P.H. Trier, and F. B. Vanderbilt (2016) Synthesizing the Scientific Foundation 

for Ordinary High Water Mark Delineation in Fluvial Systems, Wetlands Regulatory 

Assistance Program, ERDC/CRREL SR-16-5, December 2016 

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WEBSITES 

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1912/upload/Junior-River-Ranger-Booklet-Guidelines.pdf Guidance 

for Junior River Ranger 

https://www.rivers.gov/wsr50/files/jr-ranger-wild-and-scenic-river-flyer.pdf Wild and Scenic 

Junior River Ranger (English version) 

https://www.rivers.gov/wsr50/files/jr-ranger-wild-and-scenic-river-flyer-spanish.pdf Wild and 

Scenic Junior River Ranger (Spanish version) 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/scenicviews/best-practices.htm Visual Resources Program: Scenic 

Views Best Practices 

http://npshistory.com/ NPS History eLibrary 

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1651/doingbusinesswithus.htm Northeast Region Commercial Use 

Authorization 

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1912/plan-your-visit.htm Map of NPS Wild and Scenic Rivers 

https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2251863 NPS Data Store Eligible Suitable 

Rivers Database 

https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?mapId=6bff5f25-1445-46ba-b12a-0d3dacb3b5b0 Map of 

Eligible Suitable Rivers within NPS boundaries 

https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2243882 NPS Data Store: WSR boundary 

database 

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=68&projectID=31397&documentID=76752 

Snake River Headwaters WSR Planning Project (sample in PEPC that includes planning 

documents and final boundary maps) 

https://environment.transportation.org/pdf/programs/practitioners_handbook10.pdf Center for 

Environmental Excellence by AASHTO: Practitioner’s Handbooks 

https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-ArticleView/Article/1043655/nationwide-permit-reissuance/ USACE Nationwide Permit Reissuance 

https://acwi.gov/owdc.html USGS Office of Water Data Coordination 

https://water.usgs.gov/owq/hot.html USGS Office of Water Quality 

https://openei.org/wiki/RAPID/Roadmap/17-FD-b Regulatory and Permitting Information 

Desktop Toolkit (RAPID) website: FERC-WSRs (17 FD-b) 

https://www.nps.gov/im/index.htm NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program 

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https://visitorusemanagement.nps.gov/VUM/WhatGuidesIt IVUMC Position Papers 

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/4f/index.asp FHWA Environmental Review Toolkit 

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/qandas/qasect1306.cfm#q1 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 

21st Century (MAP-21) Section 1306 Financial Penalties Questions & Answers 

https://www.justice.gov/enrd/mccarran-amendment 1952 McCarran Amendment 

https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/concession-contracts.htm Alaska Region Concessions 

https://nps.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html ARC GIS Online for the NPS 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/rivers/nationwide-rivers-inventory.htm Nationwide Rivers 

Inventory 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/rivers/nri-contacts.htm Nationwide River Inventory Contacts 

https://www.nps.gov/pwsr Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers 

https://www.nps.gov/wsr NPS Wild and Scenic Rivers 

https://www.rivers.gov/ Interagency Wild & Scenic Rivers 

https://www.rivers.gov/publications.php Section 7 examples involving bridge projects 

https://www.rivers.gov/publications.php WSR Publications: Example Section 7 Determinations 

https://www.rivers.gov/study.php Wild & Scenic River Studies 

https://www.usgs.gov/science/mission-areas/water?qt-mission_areas_l2_landing_page_ta=0#qtmission_areas_l2_landing_page_ta USGS Water Resources Division 

https://www.nps.gov/fpi/Section110.html Section 110(f) of the NHPA 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/what-is-the-national-register.htm National 

Register of Historic Places Program fundamentals. 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB-15_web508.pdf National Register 

Bulletin: How to Apply the National Register Criteria 

http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Nationwide.aspx USACE Regional and 

Programmatic General Permits 

NPS Wild and Scenic Rivers Planning Documents Eligibility and Suitability Studies NPS results 

from the 90-4 initiative (internal only) 

Archive of CRMPs, Studies and Values WSR CRMP, Study, and Values reports completed by 

the NPS (internal only) 

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Wild and Scenic Rivers CRMPs Spreadsheet Spreadsheet with list of designated rivers and links 

to CRMPs 

Land Resources Division Land Protection Methods Land Protection Methods (internal only) 

Park Planning and Special Studies Special studies guidance documents (internal only) 

Example of Legislative Support Data Package - North Cascades Skagit River in NOCA 

(Example showing information typically included in 5(d)(1) legislative proposals) (internal only) 

Project Closeout for Comprehensive River Management Plans Project close-out checklist 

(applies to all plans and studies) 

Partner Graphic Identity Framework The NPS and its Partners: Graphic Identity Framework 

LEGISLATION/REGULATIONS 

16 USC 803 (a)(2)(A) Section 10(a) of the Federal Power Act 

16 U.S.C. 1131-1136 National Wilderness Preservation System 

16 USC 1271 - 1287 US Code Title 16 Chapter 28 §1271-1287 (2017) 

16 U.S.C. 1271 Section 1(b) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1273(a)(ii) Section 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1273(b) Section 2(b) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1274(d)(1) Section 3(d)(1) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1275(a) Section 4(a) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1275(b) Section 4(b) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1275(d) Section 4(d) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1276(a) Section 5(a) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1276(c) Section 5(c) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1276(d)(1) Section 5(d)(1) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1278 Section 7 of the WSRA 

16 USC 1278(a) Section 7(a) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1278(b) Section 7(b) of the WSRA 

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16 USC 1281(a) Section 10(a) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1281(c) Section 10(c) of the WSRA 

16 USC 1285(b) Section 15 of the WSRA 

23 CFR 774.15 Constructive Use Determinations 

23 USC 139(h)(6); 126 Stat. 405, 535-36 Section 1306 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 

21st Century Act 

33 CFR 323.4(a)(2) Discharges not requiring permits 

33 CFR 328 Definitions of Waters of the United States 

33 CFR 329 Definitions of Navigable Waters of the United States 

36 CFR 800 Protection of Historic Properties 

36 CFR 800.10(a) Statutory requirements of Section 110(f) of NHPA 

Public Law 88-577 Wilderness Act (September 3, 1964) 

Public Law 89-670 DOT Act (October 15, 1966) 

Public Law 90-542 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (October 2, 1968) 

Public Law 109-58 Energy Policy Act of 2005 (August 8, 2005) 

FLOWCHARTS 

Section 7 Flowchart (October 2017) 

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ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY 

ABBREVIATIONS 

Abbreviation Definition 

AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 

AR Administrative Record 

BLM Bureau of Land Management 

BMP Best Management Practice 

CRMP Comprehensive River Management Plan 

CUA Commercial Use Authorization 

CWA Clean Water Act 

DOI Department of the Interior 

DOT Department of Transportation 

DSC Denver Service Center 

EA Environmental Assessment 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

eTIC Electronic Technical Information Center 

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

FHWA Federal Highway Administration 

FPA Federal Power Act 

FR Federal Register 

HDD Horizontal Directional Drilling 

I&M Inventory and Monitoring 

IDT Interdisciplinary Team 

IVUMC Interagency Visitor Use Management Council 

IWSRCC Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NGO Non-government Organization 

NHPA National Historic Protection Act 

NLC National Leadership Council 

NOA Notice of Availability 

NPS National Park Service 

NRHP National Register of Historic Places 

NRI Nationwide Rivers Inventory 

NWF National Wildlife Federation 

NWP Nationwide Permit 

NWSRS National Wild and Scenic Rivers System 

OHWM Ordinary High Water Mark 

OLCA Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs 

ONRW Outstanding National Resource Water 

ORV Outstandingly Remarkable Value 

PCE Partnerships and Civic Engagement 

PEPC Planning, Environment, and Public Comment 

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Abbreviation Definition 

AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 

PMIS NPS Program Management Information System 

PPSS Park Planning and Special Studies 

PWSR Partnership Wild and Scenic River 

RM Reference Manual 

ROD Record of Decision 

RTCA Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance 

SC Steering Committee 

SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer 

SRS Special Resource Study 

THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Officer 

TLFO Total Cost of Facility Ownership 

USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

USFS U.S. Forest Service 

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

WASO Washington Support Office 

WRD Water Resources Division 

WSR Wild and Scenic River 

WSRA Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 

GLOSSARY 

Federal Assistance: Any assistance by an authorizing agency before, during or after 

construction. Such assistance may include, but is not limited to: a license, permit, preliminary 

permit, or other authorization granted by the FERC (both hydropower and non-hydropower); a 

license, permit or other authorization granted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of 

the Army, pursuant to the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act 

(CWA) (36 CFR 297.3).79 Assistance also includes federal funding of projects such as state 

highway proposals Note: this includes projects initiated or approved by the NPS on NPS lands 

and waters it manages. 

FERC Hydropower Project Works: The FPA defines “project works” as “the physical 

structures of a project” (16 USC 796(11)). A ‘project’ means the “complete unit of improvement 

or development, consisting of a power house, all water conduits, all dams and appurtenant works 

and structures (including navigation structures) ..., and all storage, diverting, or forebay 

reservoirs directly connected..., the primary line or lines transmitting power ... to the point of 

junction with the distribution system or with the interconnected primary transmission system, all 

miscellaneous structures used and useful..., and all water-rights, rights-of-way (ROWs), ditches, 

dams, reservoirs, lands, or interest in lands the use and occupancy of which are necessary or 

appropriate in the maintenance and operation of such unit.” (16 USC 796(12)). FERC may 

consider as ‘project works’ measures not used for power generation, but necessary to meet 

79 In 2008, a federal district court held (in a case involving the St. Croix WSR) that these “Department of 

Agriculture regulations govern the implementation of WSRA requirements.” Sierra Club N. Star Chapter v. Peters, 

CV 07 2593, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39966 (D. Minn. May 15, 2008) 

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project purposes such as habitat restoration (e.g. gravel augmentation, placement of large wood) 

and recreation enhancements (e.g. access, campground improvements). 

Foundation Document: A formal statement of a park’s core mission that provides basic 

guidance for planning and management decisions. 

Free-flowing: Defined in the WSRA at Section 16(b) as “existing or flowing in natural 

condition without impoundment, diversion, straightening, rip-rapping, or other modification of 

the waterway. The existence, however, of low dams, diversion works, and other minor structures 

at the time any river is proposed for inclusion in the NWSRS shall not automatically bar its 

consideration for such inclusion...” (16 U.S.C. 1287(b)). Note that free- “free-flowing” is not 

defined as maintaining completely natural hydrologic cycles in a river system, or maintaining a 

specific volume of water in a stream. Instead, free-flowing means that whatever flow is in the 

channel is not impeded by man-made structures such as dams, artificial channels, diversions, or 

construction projects that obstruct flow. 

Invade: Encroach or intrude upon (e.g., raise water level, backing water into the river corridor). 

Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM): An interpretation of the term waterway under Section 

16(b) of the WSRA. Generally, the applicability of Section 7 is limited to the area below the 

OHWM of the river. OHWM is defined in 33 CFR Part 328.3(e) as “...that line on the shore 

established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as a clear, 

natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of 

terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider 

the characteristics of the surrounding areas.” The lowest potential boundary of the OHWM in a 

given river is within the active channel, especially in deeply incised systems. The highest 

potential upper boundary of the OHWM may be on the valley flat or floodplain outside of the 

active channel in locations where these features are inundated in more years than not. See the 

2016 USACE publication, Synthesizing the Scientific Foundation for OHWN Delineation in 

Fluvial Systems.

80 Other terms used to denote a similar, but not identical, concept include “bed 

and banks”, “bankfull discharge”, and “active channel”. 

Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORV): Those river-related or dependent scenic, 

recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values that have been 

determined to be rare, unique, or exemplary at a comparative regional or national scale. 

River Corridor: A river and the adjacent area within the boundaries81 of a designated river, or a 

river and the adjacent area generally within one quarter mile of the banks of a congressionallyauthorized study river. This includes portions of undesignated tributaries within the corridor. 

Section 7 Evaluation: A Section 7 evaluation determines whether FERC-licensed hydropower 

project works would be located on or directly affecting a WSR, and analyzes the effects of 

proposed federally-assisted water resources projects on WSRs. Federal actions may not proceed 

80 Wohl et. al., 2016 

81 Note that some Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers and State-administered Rivers do not have established lateral 

boundaries. 

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unless the NPS has determined in writing that the proposed project fully meets the requirements 

of the WSRA. 

Section 7 Determination: The official finding of a Section 7 evaluation. The finding either 

approves or prohibits a project based on the appropriate evaluation standard. A determination is 

usually documented as the last section of a Section 7 evaluation and is also transmitted in a 

memo or letter to the federal assisting agency. 

Water Resources Project: Construction of developments (including emergency repairs) that 

would affect the free-flowing characteristics of a designated WSR, Section 5(a) study river, or 

Section 2(a)(ii) recommended area. Water resources projects located below the OHWM of the 

river always are subject to WSR agency Section 7 review. Examples of water resources projects 

include, but are not limited to: bank stabilization/revetments; bridges (e.g., abutments, piers, 

approaches); channelization; channel restoration; culverts; dams and dam removal; dredging or 

excavation; fish habitat/passage restoration or enhancement; gravel mining, in-channel 

transmission towers; levees; pipelines; recreation facilities like boat ramps and fishing piers; 

water diversions/wells; and activities that are authorized under Section 404 of the CWA by the 

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of the Army, or Section 10 of the Rivers 

and Harbors Act. 

Wild and scenic river: A river and the adjacent area within the boundaries of a component of 

the NWSRS pursuant to section 3(a) or 2(a)(ii) of the WSRA. 

WSR-administering Agency: One of the four federal land management agencies that may be 

charged with administration of a component of the NWSRS. These agencies are the BLM, NPS, 

USFWS, and USFS.82 

WSR Values: The values for which a river is designated or congressionally-authorized for 

study. These are defined in the WSRA at Section 1(b) as the river’s free-flowing condition, 

water quality, and ORVs. 

82 Rivers designated by Secretarial action under WSRA Section 2(a)(ii) are administered by a State agency with 

limited NPS responsibilities, such as for Section 7. 

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APPENDICES 

This Appendix contains materials developed expressly for the purpose of clarifying the guidance 

contained in this Reference Manual (RM). The materials include more-detailed discussion of 

topics raised in the RM, model documentation, blank forms, and lists of WSR info specifically 

related to NPS. 

List of Appendices: 

Appendix A: NPS Wild and Scenic River Program River Responsibilities 

Appendix B. Identifying Wild and Scenic River Values on Designated Rivers 

Appendix C: List of Eligible Rivers and Nationwide Rivers Inventory by Park 

Appendix D: Legislative Support Data Package Sample 

Appendix E: Section 2(a)(ii) Sample Materials (under development) 

Appendix F: Integrating Wild and Scenic River Values in Foundation Documents 

Appendix G: Boundary Establishment Sample Materials 

Appendix H: Example of a Court Decree for a Water Right 

Appendix I: Suggested Required Measures and Best Practices for Bridge Construction 

Appendix J: Wild and Scenic River Like River Legislation 

Appendix K: Section 7 Coordination - National Historic Preservation Act 

Appendix L: Compatibility Determination Example 

Appendix M: Cultural Resource Management 

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APPENDIX A: NPS WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS – MARCH 2019 

The following list of rivers, arranged by region in alphabetical order, are under the purview of 

the NPS Wild and Scenic Rivers Program and include the categories described in DO #46: 

• Wild and Scenic Rivers within the National Park System (WSR – NPS) 

• Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers (Partnership) 

• State-administered Wild and Scenic Rivers (State administered) 

• River Parks with Enabling Legislation Similar to the WSRA (Wild and scenic like) 

• Congressionally-Authorized Studies (Study) 

RIVER PARK UNIT CATEGORY 

Alaska Region 

Alagnak River (AK) Katmai National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Alatna River (AK) Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Aniakchak River (AK) Katmai National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Charley River (AK) Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve WSR – NPS 

Chilikadrotna River (AK) Lake Clark National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

John River (AK) Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Kobuk River (AK) Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Mulchatna River (AK) Lake Clark National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

North Fork of the Koyukuk 

River (AK) Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Noatak River (AK) 

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve 

WSR – NPS 

Noatak National Preserve 

Salmon River (AK) Kobuk Valley National Park WSR – NPS 

Tinayguk River (AK) Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Tlikakila River (AK) Lake Clark National Park and Preserve WSR – NPS 

Intermountain Region 

Appendix B-1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

RIVER PARK UNIT CATEGORY 

Cache la Poudre River (CO) Rocky Mountain National Park WSR – NPS 

Flathead River (MT) Glacier National Park WSR – NPS 

Rio Grande River (TX) 

Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River 

WSR – NPS 

Big Bend National Park 

Snake Headwaters (WY) 

Yellowstone National Park 

WSR – NPS 

Grand Teton National Park 

Virgin River (UT) Zion National Park WSR – NPS 

Midwest Region 

Big and Little Darby Creeks 

(OH) State administered 

Buffalo River (AR) Buffalo National River Wild and scenic-like 

Cossatot River (AR) State administered 

Current and Jacks Fork Rivers 

(MO) Ozark National Scenic Riverways Wild and scenic-like 

Little Beaver River (OH) State administered 

Little Miami River (OH) State administered 

Middle Fork Vermillion River 

(IL) State administered 

Missouri River (NE, SD) Missouri National Recreational River WSR – NPS 

Niobrara River (NE) Niobrara National Scenic River WSR – NPS 

Saint Croix River (WI, MN) Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway 

WSR – NPS; 

Lower portion state 

administered 

Wolf River (WI) WSR – NPS (Tribe 

administered) 

Appendix B-2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

RIVER PARK UNIT CATEGORY 

Northeast Region 

Allagash Wilderness 

Waterway (ME) State administered 

Bluestone River (WV) 

Bluestone National Scenic River 

WSR – NPS 

New River Gorge National River 

Eightmile River (CT) Partnership 

Gauley River (WV) 

Gauley River National Recreation Area 

Wild and scenic-like 

New River Gorge National River 

Great Egg Harbor River (NJ) Great Egg Harbor River Partnership 

Lamprey River (NH) Partnership 

Lower Delaware River (NJ, 

PA) Partnership 

Lower Farmington River And 

Salmon Brook (CT) Partnership 

Maurice River (NJ) Partnership 

Middle Delaware River (NJ, 

PA) 

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation 

Area WSR – NPS 

Musconetcong River (NJ) Partnership 

Nashua, Squannacook, and 

Nissitissit Rivers (NH, MA) Partnership 

New River Gorge (WV) New River Gorge National River Wild and scenic-like 

Sudbury, Assabet, Concord 

River (MA) Partnership 

Taunton River (MA) Partnership 

Upper Delaware River (NY, 

PA) 

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational 

River WSR – NPS 

Upper Missisquoi and Trout 

Rivers (VT) Partnership 

West Branch of the 

Farmington River (CT) Partnership 

Appendix B-3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

RIVER PARK UNIT CATEGORY 

Westfield River (MA) State administered/ 

Partnership 

White Clay Creek (PA, DE) Partnership 

Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed 

(CT, RI) Partnership 

York River (ME) Study 

Pacific West Region 

Lower American River (CA) State administered 

Eel River (CA) State administered 

Kern River (CA) Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks WSR – NPS 

Kings River (CA) Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks WSR – NPS 

Klamath River (CA) Redwood National and State Parks State administered 

Merced River (CA) Yosemite National Park WSR – NPS 

River Styx (OR) Oregon Caves National Monument and 

Preserve WSR – NPS 

Smith River (CA) Redwood National and State Parks State administered 

Surprise Canyon Creek (CA) Death Valley National Park WSR - NPS 

Trinity River (CA) State administered 

Tuolumne River (CA) Yosemite National Park WSR – NPS 

Southeast Region 

Big South Fork Cumberland 

River (KY, TN) 

Big South Fork National River and Recreation 

Area Wild and scenic-like 

Chattahoochee River (GA) Chattahoochee River National Recreation 

Area Wild and scenic-like 

Little River Canyon (AL) Little River Canyon National Preserve Wild and scenic-like 

Loxahatchee River (FL) State administered 

Lumber River (NC) State administered 

Appendix B-4 
 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

RIVER PARK UNIT CATEGORY 

New River (NC) State administered 

Obed River (TN) Obed Wild and Scenic River WSR – NPS 

Wekiva River (FL) Partnership 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX B: IDENTIFYING WILD AND SCENIC RIVER VALUES 

ON DESIGNATED RIVERS 

1. WSR Values Statements 

A detailed description of a river’s free-flowing condition, water quality, and outstandingly 

remarkable values (ORVs) based on sound and credible scientific information and combined 

with professional judgement is essential for the protection and enhancement of a river’s WSR 

values. The NPS has developed a workshop framework for describing WSR values and 

documenting the findings in a WSR values statement. 

The preparation of a WSR values statement is a focused planning process that aids managers in 

understanding what is truly special about their river and provides documentation of the resource 

conditions at the time of designation. The final document is analogous to a park’s foundation 

document. The WSR values statement serves as a basis for all management plans in a designated 

river’s planning portfolio, including its comprehensive river management plan (CRMP). Since 

the preparation of a WSR values statement is not a proposed major federal action, it does not 

trigger NEPA. 

A WSR values statement is needed to accomplish the following planning and management 

actions, many of which are mandatory for WSR management: 

• Prepare a CRMP 

• Establish boundaries 

• Develop a land acquisition plan 

• Make determinations under Section 7(a) 

• Develop a resource monitoring plan 

• Address user capacity 

• Pursue a federal reserved water right 

• Grant easements or rights-of-way affecting the WSR 

• Manage mining or mineral leasing within the river’s boundaries 

• Lease land acquired within the wild and scenic river area 

2. WSR Values Workshop 

The NPS has developed a WSR values workshop guide1 that culminates in the development of a 

WSR values statement. The workshop guide was developed to better define ORVs for a CRMP 

or foundation document. However, this same process can be used to define WSR values for the 

eligibility phase of a 5(a) study, 2(a)(ii) study, or a 5(d) assessment. 

The workshop has four primary parts: 

• Pre-workshop preparation: research and assess the history of the river’s designation, 

river-related resources, proposed segment or segments, and proposed ORVs. 

1 See the Wild and Scenic Rivers Values Workshop, Participant’s Guide (NPS 2016) 

Appendix B-6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

• ORV workshop: identify and articulate a river’s ORVs, free-flowing condition, and water 

quality, as well as resource-related issues and a list of key stakeholders. 

• Post-workshop document production: produce an ORV report and WSR values statement 

• Publish and share: provide the results of this work to the public 

Pre-workshop Preparation 

Preparation begins about two months before the workshop. The managing park unit should 

contact their region for assistance in this effort; planners from the Denver Service Center (DSC) 

can be a resource to help support or coordinate the effort. 

Once the planning team (park/region/DSC) has been identified, work should begin on compiling 

a history of the river and its proposed designation. Useful documents may include early land or 

resource management plans and inventories, relevant legislation, resource studies, and area 

histories. The planning team should synthesize this information, highlight where potential ORVs 

are discussed, and produce a scoping report/synopsis of this work to use in briefing the 

workshop’s participants. 

The park should form an interdisciplinary team (IDT) that best represents expertise on the known 

resources and uses of the river under consideration. A typical IDT may include resource experts 

(fisheries, hydrology, cultural, etc.), operations staff (rangers), facilities staff, and park 

management (the superintendent or their delegate). In some cases, it may make sense to invite 

experts or stakeholders from outside the NPS to participate, such as resource experts working for 

other federal or state agencies or academia, or local residents with pertinent knowledge of the 

2 resource. 

In advance of the workshop, participants should complete a series of technical specialist report 

forms3 and share these with each another. The reports provide an organized method to collect, 

review, and summarize as much background information as possible about known or potential 

ORVs, free-flowing condition, and water quality. Working on these reports in advance of the 

workshop gives specialists an opportunity to review existing documentation and articulate their 

own understanding of the rivers’ values. This allows for much more in-depth and productive 

discussions during the workshop. 

As part of the pre-workshop preparation, a description of potential ORVs should be prepared. 

The ORVs for a designated river can include scenery, recreation, geology, fish, wildlife, 

prehistory, history, or other values such as hydrology, paleontology, and botany resources. To be 

assessed as outstandingly remarkable, a value must be river-related, and must be a unique, rare, 

or exemplary feature that is significant at a comparative regional or national scale. The 

determination that a river area contains one or more ORVs is a professional judgement on the 

part of the park’s interdisciplinary team, based on objective, scientific analysis and the best 

available information. 

2 Be aware of potential FACA triggers if people outside the government are invited to participate but it’s not an 

openly advertised public meeting. 

3 See “Examples of ORV Evaluations” starting on page 20 of the Participant’s Guide (NPS 2016) 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park staff, working with river planners, can often create an initial list of potential ORVs based 

upon preliminary discussions prior to the workshop. While this should not preclude additional 

ORVs from emerging during the workshop, creating the list can be a useful step in establishing 

the scope and focus of the ORV process. For example, if it is established that a river is known to 

not have any significant populations of fish or key aquatic habitat, it would make little sense to 

take “fish” through the workshop process as a potential ORV. For additional detail on making 

ORV determinations, see Chapter 2, Section 2.1.1.1 Outstandingly Remarkable Values. 

The planning team and the park IDT should also discuss how the river should be divided into 

segments for ORV analysis. Typically, there are differences in types and levels of development 

along a river, including physical characteristics, resource distribution, or human use that may 

indicate logical breaks between segments. Neighboring or adjacent segments may or may not 

have the same classification (i.e., wild, scenic, or recreational). Dividing a river into segments 

based on classification as part of the ORV analysis may ultimately make the ORVs more robust 

by tying them to a specific geographic location within a river’s corridor. 

ORV Workshop 

The purpose of the ORV workshop is to bring together the IDT (i.e., resource experts) and 

project planners to define the ORVs, free-flowing condition, and water quality of the WSR; 

evaluate and describe each ORV by river segment; identify river-related issues; and identify key 

stakeholders. At the end of the workshop, initial drafts of each of these components should be 

completed. 

The workshop should begin with an overview of the WSRA, with emphasis on the importance of 

ORVs to river management. With this shared understanding of the legal context, the IDT can 

review the scoping materials produced by the planning team and then engage in a structured 

general discussion about the resources and values of the river 

After the overview, the IDT should review the proposed river segments and confirm that they 

make sense, then review the proposed ORV categories. Best practices regarding ORV 

identification and articulation should be discussed at this point. The IDT should then break up 

into smaller groups with each assigned an ORV category. Each group will develop a broad 

statement that describes their assigned ORV. The IDT should then reconvene as a large group 

and report out their broad ORV statement, and discuss the statements as a group, refining as 

needed. 

The small groups should then re-form to fine-tune the broad ORV statements as they specifically 

apply to each segment. The result will be segment-specific ORV statements that describe where 

on the river the ORVs are present, along with more specificity as to why they are rare, unique, or 

exemplary. 

In addition to ORVs, the free-flowing condition and water quality of the rivers are integral to 

their designated status, and all three must be protected and enhanced. Hence, descriptions of 

free-flowing condition and water quality are included in the WSR values statement to document 

the baseline condition at the time of designation. Detailed guidance for documenting WSR water 

Appendix B-8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

quantity and quality can be found in Water Quantity and Quality as Related to the Management 

of Wild & Scenic Rivers (IWSRCC 2003). 

The WSRA defines free-flowing as “existing or flowing in a natural condition without 

impoundment, diversion, straightening, rip-rapping, or other modification of the waterway.” As 

part of this WSR review process, describe the following: 

• The river channel’s structure and condition 

• Any modifications of the river that impede free-flow (e.g. riprap) 

• Any existing developments or facilities that affect free-flow 

• The hydrologic character of the river, using available historic data to characterize flow 

regimes. 

To characterize the baseline water quality condition of the river, consider chemical, physical, and 

biological conditions, as well as variations between seasons and during storm events and 

droughts. In addition, identify any river reaches in the water quality section of the WSR values 

statement where following applies: 

• Violate water quality standards 

• Are on the state 303d impairment list 

• Are designated as outstanding waters 

Record the locations of any USGS or other state/federal water quality stations. Also capture 

trends regarding water quality in the WSR values statement, and use those as measures to 

monitor any changes against baseline conditions. Discuss and document existing or potential 

threats to water quality. 

The final phase of a WSR values statement workshop is a brainstorming session to identify and 

articulate river-related management issues, as well as key stakeholders. A comprehensive list of 

issues will help river managers identify and prioritize future management efforts. Sort issues into 

both broad and site-specific issues; the latter should be located on a map. Generate a list of 

stakeholders and partners and continuously updated to ensure both managers and stakeholders 

have an opportunity to engage in future management efforts. 

Post-Workshop Document Production 

Upon the conclusion of the workshop, a report will be prepared that summarizes the information 

presented at the workshop, describes the evaluation process and criteria used to determine ORVs 

by river segment, and presents the results of the evaluation. Workshop participants should have 

an opportunity to review the report and offer refinements to the content. The planning team will 

then finalize the workshop report and use the content to draft the WSR values statement. 

The WSR values statement will not typically include the tables, meeting notes, and background 

information found in the workshop report. Instead, the values statement focuses on 

communicating the findings of the workshop: the articulated ORVs, free-flowing condition 

description, water quality narrative, river-related issues, and key stakeholders. 

Appendix B-9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Publish and Share 

The WSR values statement is the document that will be shared with the public. Best practice 

includes review by river managers and regional office staff, prior to release to the public. There 

is some discretion available as to how the document is rolled out, but a best practice is to mirror 

the public involvement process currently employed for Foundation Documents. 

3. Special Considerations for Scenic and Cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Values 

Scenic Resource Values 

The NPS Visual Resources Program (VRP) provides assistance to parks in identifying scenic 

values and developing plans to protect and manage these resources. The VRP has developed a 

systematic process to identify scenic values and their importance to the NPS visitor experience 

through a process known as a Visual Resource Inventory (VRI). The systematic approach to 

view description ensures that scenic resources are considered in similar ways. The VRP can 

provide assistance to parks in conducting a VRI and understanding these resources so that parks 

can develop credible protection strategies, best management practices, and collaborative 

approaches with partners to protect shared values and treasured views for future generations. 

The VRI includes a procedure for assessing both the scenic quality and the view importance. The 

scenic quality assessment identifies and describes visible elements of the viewed landscape and 

rates the quality of the view. The view importance assessment identifies and describes key 

attributes of the viewpoint, the viewed landscape and the viewers themselves, as well as the 

importance of the view to the visitor experience. Because historic and cultural resources are 

often essential to the scenic experience of NPS visitors, the view importance rating includes 

historic and cultural elements and values, as well as the value of the viewpoint and viewed 

landscape to NPS interpretive goals and visitor experience. 

The VRP has actively worked with NPS WSR staff in the Northeast Region to adapt scenic and 

visual resource inventory techniques to incorporate special river considerations in Partnership 

WSR Studies. Data forms that identify river specific characteristics, including river width, depth, 

slope, discharge, substrate, water clarity, and channel alterations, have been added to the NPS 

VRI to help describe river views. 

Cultural Resources Values 

Historic and cultural resources are one of the many special characteristics associated with 

designated wild and scenic rivers. Cultural resource preservation laws and cultural resource 

management practices used throughout the nation provide a helpful classification framework for 

identifying resources that should be considered as historic and/or cultural ORVs. Public efforts 

to protect cultural resources in the U.S. have evolved over the years and now encompass an 

increasing array of resources. In many instances, the language used in various laws and 

regulations has been replaced by new terminology and new ways of framing and understanding 

the significance of cultural resources. ‘Cultural resources’ is the preferred term and includes 

historic and pre-contact (formerly referred to as prehistoric) resources. NPS is working with the 

IWSRCC to update guidance on this topic. 

Appendix B-10 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

NPS Management Policies (2006) separate cultural resources into five categories to assist in the 

development of management and protection plans: archeological resources, structures, 

ethnographic resources, cultural landscapes and museum objects. These categories, defined 

below, should be used when identifying cultural ORVs. 

Archeological Resources 

Archeological resources are the remains of past human activity. They are the static remains of 

once dynamic cultural processes (Binford 1977), and thus have the potential to provide 

information on our past. Archeological resources can be ancient and date to thousands of years 

ago or they can be more recent and relate to more contemporary societies (DO 28: 8). They can 

include the buried remains of an ancient American Indian village along a river or the remnants of 

conflict within a battlefield. Note that archeological resources may also include submerged 

cultural resources. The careful and rigorous studies of these remains by archeologists create 

records and documents that are also considered archeological resources. 

Structures 

Structures are “material assemblies that extend the limits of human capability” (DO 28: 8). They 

include bridges and roads, buildings, monuments and earthen mounds, canal locks and cliff 

dwellings. Consistent with NPS Management Policies 2006, structures can be historic or precontact in age (e.g., prior to European contact with American Indians) and can include both precontact and historic architecture and cultural landscapes. 

Ethnographic Resources 

Ethnographic resources are natural and cultural resources important to traditionally associated 

people (DO 28: 9). NPS Management Policies (2006) define ‘traditionally associated peoples’ as 

communities that are park neighbors or actually live within a park that have been associated with 

the park for two generations or more (40 years) and whose interest in park resources began prior 

to park establishment. This definition can be broadened to include designated rivers, for the 

purpose of identifying cultural ORVs. Ethnographic resources are important in maintaining and 

preserving traditional ways of life, customs, and beliefs. Clay traditionally used in pottery 

making may be an ethnographic resource, as may other natural resources including certain types 

of plants and animals. These resources are valued by traditionally associated peoples and may be 

tangible or intangible. Intangible resources can include traditional beliefs, oral histories, and 

stories associated with a particular tangible location or natural resource, such as a river, 

mountain, or canyon. Thus, the river itself, or specific resources such as wild rice or sturgeon 

that contribute to traditional beliefs, oral histories, and stories, may contribute to the Cultural 

ORV. Sacred Sites and Traditional Cultural Properties are included in this category. 

Cultural Landscapes 

A cultural landscape is a geographic area that includes cultural and natural resources associated 

with an historic event, activity, person, or group of people. It can be a human expression of 

visual and spatial relationships that can include grand estates, farmlands, public gardens and 

parks, college campuses, cemeteries, scenic highways, and industrial sites. A river valley or 

Appendix B-11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

river segment may be a cultural landscape. Cultural Landscapes are defined in DO 28 as “a 

reflection of human adaptation and use of natural resources and is often expressed in the way 

land is organized and divided, patterns of settlement, land use systems of circulation, and the 

types of structures that are built. The character of a cultural landscape is defined both by physical 

materials, such as roads, buildings, walls, and vegetation, and by use reflecting cultural values 

and traditions.” Categories of cultural landscapes include historic designed landscapes; historic 

vernacular landscapes; historic sites (such as battlefields or presidential homes), and 

ethnographic landscapes. 

Museum Objects 

Museum collections include materials pertinent to archeology, ethnography, history and natural 

history (NPS Policy 28, Chapter 9, page 137). Archeological collections include artifacts, 

specimens, and associated records. Ethnographic collections consist of objects associated with 

contemporary cultures and the records that document their collection and study. Historical 

collections encompass diverse materials made or used by cultures with a written tradition up to 

the present time. Historic objects relate to the people, activities, and events associated with a 

park's mission, themes, and history. Natural history collections contain biological, geological, 

paleontological, and environmental specimens and their associated records, including records of 

flora and fauna, land forming processes, and fossil plants and animals. 

Although museum collections would generally not be identified as cultural ORVs, they may be 

helpful for the information and context they provide to better understand the history of an area 

and the events or natural processes that occurred there. Natural and cultural objects and their 

associated records provide baseline information about an area and serve as a scientific and 

historical documentation of a park’s cultural resources. These objects may provide visitors with 

a better understanding of the activities and people that are part of a river’s cultural significance. 

This category of cultural resources is extremely important for research and long-term 

stewardship of resources. 

General Criteria for Cultural ORVs 

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) provides a starting point for identifying 

significant cultural resources by identifying whether a resource is eligible for or listed in the 

National Register for Historic Places (NR).4 To qualify for listing in the NR, cultural resources 

must meet specific criteria and possess sufficient integrity.5 Although the NR provides a rich 

source of information on cultural resources that may contribute to cultural ORVs, there are some 

limitations: 

• ORVs must be river-related and the NR may include listings or eligible resources located 

within a WSR river corridor that are not river-related. 

• ORVs must be significant at a national or regional scale, based on an appropriate area of 

comparison; the NR may include listings or eligible resources that may not meet this 

threshold, such as listings of state or local significance. In some cases, the NR 

4 See the NR Program Fundamentals. 5 See the NR Bulletin: How to Apply the NR Criteria for guidance. 

Appendix B-12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

information may not be adequate to determine the relative significance. Consultation 

with the SHPOs and THPOs and other experts can help identify cultural ORVs. 

Where possible, follow established practices and procedures in identifying cultural ORVs to 

avoid criticism that ORV definitions are too subjective and lack a rigorous analysis of 

comparative value. The criteria used to identify cultural ORVs require considerable judgment by 

technical specialists with in-depth knowledge of the designated river. Establish a team of 

technical specialists with particular understanding of the river under investigation, such as 

cultural resource managers, State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, academic experts, 

and representatives from local historical societies, cultural museums, and tribes. Consider the 

people who have depended upon the river and the related notable or significant historic and precontact features or attractions within the region. Ensure that there is a good source of 

documentation about cultural resources in a geographic area when defining the region of 

significance. 

Note that some of the elements used to identify cultural ORVs have been identified separately as 

either historic or cultural ORVs for many rivers. However, best practice is to group these 

resources together as cultural ORVs, consistent with preferred NPS terminology. To determine 

whether a resource meets the criteria for a cultural ORV, consider the following criteria: 

• Significance 

o Regionally or nationally significant occupation and use (e.g., pre-contact sites, 

ceremonial areas, fishing areas, sacred religious sites), 

o Sites or features associated with a significant event, an exceptionally important 

person, or a cultural activity of the past (e.g., major river crossing site, 

exceptional examples of architecture from a significant period of history, early 

settlement) 

• Current use 

o Ethnographic resources (such as Traditional Cultural Properties) that are 

significant to Native American populations or other ethnic groups today are 

recognized as having high value 

• Site integrity 

o Sites that are unmodified and retain their original character (e.g., important sites 

or river crossings; features that are in excellent condition) 

• Education and interpretation opportunities 

o Sites with exceptional human-interest value(s) 

o Sites of national or regional importance for interpreting both pre- and post-contact 

periods of time. 

• Listings and eligibilities under cultural resources protection laws. 

o Sites or features currently listed in, or eligible for listing in, NR, particularly in 

abundance such as Archeological Districts and Cultural Landscapes, and 

National Historic Landmarks are of high value. By definition, National Historic 

Landmarks are nationally significant. 

o Not all NR listed/eligible resources will qualify as contributing to a cultural ORV, 

but will still be afforded protections under cultural and historic resource 

protection laws such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the 

Archeological Resources Protection Act. 

Appendix B-13 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

When defining cultural values, keep in mind that cultural ORVs are usually not defined in terms 

of a single site or structure, and are not simply a list of places. Rather they are often defined in 

terms of locations that are important for a cultural resources story. That story doesn’t disappear 

or get rendered unimportant just because the original structure associated with it is no longer 

there. For example, if a flood takes out a historic mill building, the cultural ORV is not 

destroyed. See Wild and Scenic Rivers Values Workshop, Participant’s Guide (NPS 2016) for 

some examples of cultural ORV statements and eligibility criteria. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX C: LIST OF ELIGIBLE RIVERS AND NATIONWIDE RIVERS INVENTORY BY PARK 

The following list (dated October 3rd, 2017) includes all rivers within park unit boundaries from the Eligible Suitable Wild and Scenic 

River Database and the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI). These rivers are subject to protective management requirements, as 

directed by the WSRA Section 5(d)(1) and restated and implemented through policy directives including NPS’s 2006 Management 

Policies, Sections 2.3.1.9 and 4.3.4 and Director’s Order #46, Sections 4.6.3 and 4.6.4. (See Section 2.1.5.2 Protective Management 

for Eligible Rivers in this RM for clarification). Many entries in this list reflect both the mainstem and their related tributaries. As 

rivers become designated, they will be removed from this candidate list. As additional rivers are studied for eligibility and suitability 

they will be added to this list. Therefore, this list is subject to alterations. 

Rivers in the Eligible Suitable Wild and Scenic River database have been assessed by each individual Park Unit, which documented 

the findings in a variety of studies over many years. Some of these rivers were initially included in the NRI, but now have additional 

findings. For more information on eligible/suitable rivers or to view the Eligible Suitable Wild and Scenic River Database, see the 

Eligible and Suitable page on the NPS Eligible and Suitable website. To provide updated information from new studies and plans, 

contact your regional WSR SC representative or the database steward/reference owner.1 

Rivers drawn from the NRI are believed to possess one or more Outstandingly Remarkable Values judged to be at least regionally 

significant. NRI rivers are thus considered potential candidates for inclusion. For more details on a river segment, see the Nationwide 

Rivers Inventory on the NPS Nationwide Rivers Inventory website. 

1 For information about updates to the Eligible Suitable Database see the NPS Data Store. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Alaska Region 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Aniakchak National 

Monument NM & 

PRES 

Cinder River 26 Eligible Wild Yes Wildlife 

Main Creek 17 Eligible Wild Yes Recreational 

Meshik River 24 Eligible Wild Yes Recreational, Wildlife, Cultural 

Espenberg River 10 Eligible Recreational Yes Recreational 

Bering Land Bridge N 

PRES Good Hope River 441 Eligible Wild Yes Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, Cultural 

Kuzitrin River 259 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic 

Noxapaga River 270 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic, Historic 

Nugnugaluktuk River 311 Eligible Wild Yes Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Serpentine River 127 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Denali NP & PRES Nenana River 1 Eligible Recreational No Recreational 

Gates of The Arctic 

NP & PRES Anaktuvuk River 37 Eligible Wild Yes Fish, Wildlife 

Chandler River 32 Eligible Wild Yes Fish, Wildlife 

Ernie Creek 16 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic 

Etivluk River, East Fork 20 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Wildlife, Archeological 

Itkillik River 41 Eligible Wild Yes Archeological 

Killik River 73 Eligible Wild Yes Wildlife, Archeological 

Kugrak River 22 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic 

Nigu River 27 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Archeological 

Reed River 40 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic, Botany 

Glacier Bay NP & 

PRES Alsek River 34 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational 

Katmai NP & 

Preserve American Creek 39 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Big River 21 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Hallo Creek 9 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Fish, Wildlife 

Headwaters Creek 20 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Fish, Wildlife 

Katmai River 48 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, Historic 

Appendix C-2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Kulik River 2 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife 

Moraine Creek 38 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Naknek River 8 Eligible Scenic Yes Recreational, Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Savonoski River 96 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Archeological 

Swikshak River 11 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, 

Archeological 

Ukak River 48 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Geologic, Wildlife, Historic 

Kenai Fjords NP Addison Creek 3 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Bear Glacier River 7 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Delight Creek 4 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Desire Creek 3 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Nuka River 11 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic 

Resurrection River 7 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Klondike Gold Rush 

NHP 

Skagway River, North 

Fork < 1 Eligible Recreational Yes Historic 

Taiya River 17 Eligible Wild & 

Recreational Yes Historic 

Lake Clark NP & 

PRES Chilligan River 17 Eligible Wild No Scenic 

Chokotonk River 23 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Crescent River 40 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Kijik River 23 Eligible Wild Yes Cultural 

Neacola River 25 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Necons River 45 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Red River 5 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Stony River 35 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Tanalian River 20 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Tazimina River and Lakes 57 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish 

Telaquana River 44 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Cultural, Archeological 

West Glacier Creek 32 Eligible Wild Yes Fish, Wildlife 

Middle Glacier Creek 7 Eligible Wild Yes Wildlife 

East Glacier Creek 11 Eligible Wild Yes Unknown4 

Noatak N PRES Kelly River 56 Eligible Wild Yes Recreational, Fish, Traditional Cultural Use 

Appendix C-3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Wrangell - St Elias 

NP & PRES Beaver Creek 37 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic 

Bremner River 100 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Wildlife 

Chisana River 47 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Chitina River 320 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, Historic 

Copper River 72 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife 

Nabesna River 31 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Wildlife, Historic 

White River 33 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic, Historic 

Yukon - Charley 

Rivers N PRES Seventymile River 26 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic, Wildlife, Archeological 

Yukon River 180 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Biodiversity 

Intermountain Region 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI Outstandingly Remarkable Values Second Park 

Arches NP Courthouse Wash 12 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Cultural 

Salt Wash 7 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Bent's Old Fort 

NHS Arkansas River 3 Eligible Recreational Yes Historic, Recreational 

Big Bend NP Terlingua Creek 5 Unknown Yes Scenic, Geologic 

Big Thicket N 

PRES Menard Creek 26 Eligible Recreational No Wildlife 

Neches River 240 Eligible Scenic & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Cultural 

Bighorn Canyon 

NRA Black Canyon Creek 4 Eligible Wild Yes Geologic, Fish, Wildlife 

Shoshoni River 4 Eligible Unknown Yes Wildlife 

Black Canyon of 

the Gunnison NM Gunnison River 14 Suitable Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Canyonlands NP Horseshoe Canyon 

(Barrier Creek) 4 Eligible Wild Yes Recreational, Wildlife, Cultural 

Appendix C-4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI Outstandingly Remarkable Values Second Park 

Salt Creek 10 Eligible Unknown Yes Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, Cultural 

Colorado River 92 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic, 

Cultural 

Glen Canyon 

NRA 

Capitol Reef NP Fremont River 13 Eligible Wild & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Historic, 

Cultural, Botany 

Pleasant Creek 7 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Historic, 

Cultural 

Halls Creek 41 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Historic, 

Cultural 

Glen Canyon 

NRA 

Curecanti NRA Blue Creek 2 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Coal Creek < 1 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Fish, Wildlife 

Curecanti Creek 1 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Fish, Wildlife 

Gunnison River, 

Lake Fork 1 Eligible Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, Historic 

West Elk Creek < 1 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Wildlife 

Dinosaur NM Yampa River 93 Suitable Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural, Archeological 

Gila Cliff 

Dwellings NM 

Gila River, West 

Fork 1 Eligible Recreational No Scenic, Historic 

Glen Canyon NRA Bowns Canyon 

Creek 6 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Geologic, Wildlife, Cultural 

Colorado River 3 Eligible Wild Yes 

Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Cultural, Hydrology, Geomorphology, 

Ecology, Vegetation 

Grand 

Canyon NP 

Colorado River 53 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Canyonlands NP 

Dirty Devil River 23 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Cultural 

Escalante River 182 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Cultural 

Halls Creek 9 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Historic, 

Cultural 

Capitol Reef 

NP 

Appendix C-5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI Outstandingly Remarkable Values Second Park 

Llewellyn Creek 8 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Cultural 

Moqui Canyon Creek 5 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Cultural 

Reflection Canyon 

Creek 3 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Cultural 

San Juan River 111 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Cultural 

Trachyte Creek 3 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife 

White Canyon Creek 10 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Historic, Cultural 

Natural 

Bridges NM 

Grand Canyon NP 

Colorado River 415 Eligible Wild Yes 

Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Cultural, Hydrology, Geomorphology, 

Ecology, Vegetation, Fish, and Historic 

Glen Canyon 

NRA 

Great Sand Dunes 

NP & PRES Big Spring Creek 10 Suitable Scenic No Scenic, Recreational, Wildlife, Cultural, 

Hydrology 

Deadman Creek 7 Suitable Wild No Scenic, Recreational, Biodiversity 

Mosca Creek 39 Suitable Wild & 

Scenic No Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, 

Historic, Cultural 

Sand Creek 31 Suitable Wild No Scenic, Recreational, Wildlife, Historic, 

Botany 

Lyndon B Johnson 

NHP Pedernales River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Wildlife, Historic 

Natural Bridges 

NM 

White Canyon 

Creek2 8 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Historic, Cultural 

Glen Canyon 

NRA 

Pecos NHP Pecos River 3 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish 

Petrified Forest NP Puerco River 2 Eligible Scenic No Historic, Cultural, Archeological, Biological 

Rocky Mountain 

NP Big Thompson River 15 Eligible Wild & 

Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Big Thompson River, 

North Fork 8 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish 

Appendix C-6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI Outstandingly Remarkable Values Second Park 

Colorado River 23 Eligible Scenic & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Wildlife, Historic 

Fall River 8 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Wildlife 

North St. Vrain 

Creek 9 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Fish, Wildlife 

Timpanogos Cave 

NM American Fork Creek 1 Eligible Recreational No Scenic, Recreational 

Yellowstone NP Yellowstone River 85 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Bechler River 17 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Falls River 29 Eligible Wild Yes Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Firehole River 32 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Historic 

Gallatin River 27 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife 

Lamar River 48 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes 

Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, 

Historic, Cultural, Archeological, 

Paleontological 

Madison River 21 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic 

Slough Creek 18 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife 

Soda Butte Creek 18 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Geologic, Historic 

Gibbon River 35 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Geologic, Wildlife, Historic 

Gardner River 30 Eligible Wild & 

Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, 

Historic, Archeological 

Zion NP Camp Creek 4 Eligible Wild & 

Recreational Yes Recreational 

Coalpits Wash 15 Eligible Wild Yes Recreational 

Appendix C-7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Midwest Region 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Agate Fossil Beds NM Niobrara River 11 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Cultural 

Badlands NP White River 2 Unknown Yes Scenic, Geologic, Cultural 

Buffalo NR Buffalo River 143 Scenic & 

Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic 

Cumberland Gap NHP Cumberland River, 

Martins Fork 5 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Shillalah Creek 4 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Cuyahoga Valley NP Cuyahoga River 8 Eligible Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish 

Effigy Mounds NM Yellow River 4 Suitable Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Historic, Cultural 

Grand Portage NM Pigeon River < 1 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Cultural 

Knife River Indian 

Villages NHS Missouri River < 1 Eligible Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, Cultural 

Mammoth Cave NP Green River 32 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Mississippi NRRA Crow River < 1 Unknown Yes None 

Mississippi River 34 Eligible Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Historic 

Niobrara NSR Long Pine Creek 1 Eligible Unknown Yes Fish 

North Country NST Great Miami River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Historic, Cultural 

Loramie Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Recreational, Historic, Cultural 

White River, South 

Branch < 1 Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish 

Ozark NSR Current River 135 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Pictured Rocks NL Miners River 7 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish 

Mosquito River 6 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish 

Saint Croix NSR Lower Tamarack River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic 

Sand Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic 

Appendix C-8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Sleeping Bear Dunes 

NL Crystal River 3 Eligible Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife 

Platte River 4 Eligible Recreational Yes Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Archeological 

Theodore Roosevelt 

NP Little Missouri River 22 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Historic, Cultural, Ecological 

National Capital Region 

Park Unit River Name Miles in Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Rock Creek Park Rock Creek 6 Unknown Yes Recreational, Historic 

Northeast Region 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Appalachian NST City Stream 

(Walloomsac Brook) < 1 Recreational Yes Wildlife 

Craig Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Recreational, Geologic, Historic, Cultural 

Goose Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Recreational, Historic, Cultural 

Housatonic River < 1 Unknown Yes Geologic, Fish 

Katahdin Stream 2 Eligible Unknown Yes Recreational 

Kennebec River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Hydrology 

Ottauquechee River < 1 Unknown Yes Recreational 

Peabody River < 1 Unknown Yes Hydrology, Undeveloped/Remote 

Pemigewasset River < 1 Eligible Scenic & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Rare Plants, Hydrology 

Pemigewasset River, 

North Fork East 

Branch 

2 Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational 

Penobscot River, West 

Branch < 1 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Fish, Wildlife 

Pleasant River, West 

Branch 5 Eligible Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Historic, Ecological, Undeveloped 

Appendix C-9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Saco River 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Botany 

Stony Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Geologic, Undeveloped/Remote 

Tye River < 1 Unknown Yes Botany 

Wallkill River < 1 Unknown Yes Hydrology, Botany 

White River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Historic 

Winhall River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational 

Appomattox Court 

House NHP Appomattox River 2 Eligible Unknown Yes Scenic, Historic 

Cape Cod NS Pamet River 2 Unknown Yes Hydrology 

Chesapeake & Ohio 

Canal NHP Potomac River 12 Recreational & 

Unknown Yes 

Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Historic, Cultural, Archeological, 

Hydrology 

First State NHP Brandywine Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Recreational, Historic, Cultural 

Hopewell Furnace 

NHS French Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Recreational, Wildlife, Historic 

Katahdin Woods and 

Waters NM Seboeis River 5 Unknown Yes Geologic, Wild 

Manassas NBP Bull Run 5 Unknown Yes Historic 

Martin Van Buren 

NHS Kinderhook Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Recreational, Fish, Historic 

New River Gorge 

NR New River 53 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational 

Shenandoah NP Hazel River 5 Unknown Yes Recreational, Geologic, Historic 

Rapidan River 4 Unknown Yes Recreational 

Rush River 1 Unknown Yes Recreational 

Appendix C-10 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Pacific West Region 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs Second Park 

Devils Postpile NM San Joaquin River, 

Middle Fork 2 Suitable Wild, Scenic, & Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Biodiversity 

Great Basin NP Big Wash, South 

Fork 5 Wild Yes Fish 

Golden Gate NRA Olema Creek 3 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Fish Point Reyes NS 

Redwood Creek 3 Eligible Wild No Scenic, Recreational, Fish Muir Woods NM 

Haleakala NP Ohe'o Gulch 2 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational 

John Day Fossil 

Beds NM John Day River 8 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish 

Kalaupapa NHP Waihānau Stream 4 Eligible Unknown No Cultural 

Waikolu Stream 4 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic, 

Cultural 

Kings Canyon NP San Joaquin River, 

South Fork 11 Suitable Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic 

Lake Chelan NRA Stehekin River 142 Eligible Wild, Scenic, & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

North Cascades 

NP 

Lake Mead NRA Virgin River 5 Recreational Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife 

Lassen Volcanic NP Mill Creek 6 Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Fish, Historic, Cultural 

Mount Rainier NP Carbon River 10 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational 

Cowlitz River 22 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Geologic, Wildlife 

Nisqually River 13 Unknown Yes Scenic, Geologic 

White River 14 Scenic Yes Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, 

Historic 

White River, West 

Fork 8 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Geologic, Wildlife, 

Remote/Wilderness 

Muir Woods NM Redwood Creek 1 Eligible Wild No Scenic, Recreational, Fish Golden Gate NRA 

North Cascades NP Baker River 11 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife 

Big Beaver Creek 8 Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Wildlife Ross Lake NRA 

Chilliwack River 15 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife 

Appendix C-11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs Second Park 

Noisy Creek 3 Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Wildlife 

Nooksack River, 

North Fork 2 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife 

Ruby Creek 1 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish 

Silesia Creek 4 Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Wildlife 

Stehekin River 252 Eligible Wild, Scenic, & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Cultural Lake Chelan NRA 

Thunder Creek 23 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic Ross Lake NRA 

Olympic NP Bogachiel River 321 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Calawah River, 

South Fork 167 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic 

Dosewallips River 148 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife 

Duckabush River 95 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife 

Elwha River 586 Eligible Wild & 

Recreational Yes 

Scenic, Recreational, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Prehistoric 

Resources 

Gray Wolf River 98 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational 

Hoh River 457 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife 

Ozette River 5 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Fish, Wildlife, Cultural 

Queets River 481 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Quinault River 414 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife 

Royal Creek 22 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic 

Skokomish River, 

North Fork 126 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife 

Skokomish River, 

South Fork 1 Eligible Wild No Scenic 

Appendix C-12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs Second Park 

Sol Duc River 273 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Oregon Caves NM 

and Preserve (Upper) Cave Creek < 1 Eligible Scenic No Ecologic 

Lake Creek 1 Eligible Recreational No Ecologic, Geologic 

Point Reyes NS Olema Creek 8 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic, Fish Golden Gate NRA 

Redwood NP Redwood Creek 19 Eligible Scenic Yes Scenic 

Ross Lake NRA Big Beaver Creek 8 Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Wildlife 

North Cascades 

NP 

Skagit River 33 Suitable Wild & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Thunder Creek 5 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic North Cascades 

NP 

Santa Monica 

Mountains NRA Big Sycamore River 10 Eligible Unknown Yes Fish, Wildlife 

Sequoia NP Kaweah River 34 Suitable Wild & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Historic, Cultural 

Kaweah River, East 

Fork 14 Suitable Wild & 

Recreational No Scenic, Recreational, Geologic 

Kaweah River, South 

Fork 12 Suitable Wild No Scenic, Geologic 

Yosemite NP Tuolumne River, 

Middle Fork 18 Eligible Wild Yes Unknown4 

Tuolumne River, 

South Fork 15 Eligible Wild Yes Scenic, Recreational, Cultural 

Southeast Region 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Appalachian 

NST Chattahoochee 

River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Appendix C-13 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Nantahala River < 1 Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Big South Fork 

NRRA 

Cumberland River, 

Big South Fork 80 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Rock Creek 3 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Blue Ridge 

PKWY Linville River 14 Wild, Scenic, & 

Recreational Yes Scenic, Geologic 

French Broad River 4 Scenic, Recreational, 

& Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, Historic, Cultural, Archeological 

Chattahoochee 

River NRA Sope Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Congaree NP Cedar Creek 18 Scenic, Recreational, 

& Unknown Yes Unknown4 

Congaree River 3 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Great Smoky 

Mountains NP Anthony Creek 30 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Wildlife 

Little Pigeon River, 

West Prong 10 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic 

Little Pigeon River, 

Middle Prong 8 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Oconaluftee River 9 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Horseshoe Bend 

NMP Tallapoosa River 4 Wild & Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish, Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Little River 

Canyon N PRES Little River 27 Eligible Wild & Scenic Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Natchez Trace 

PKWY & NST Bayou Pierre < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

Buffalo River < 1 Scenic & Recreational Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife 

Appendix C-14 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Unit River Name Miles in 

Park Status Classification NRI ORVs 

Cypress Creek < 1 Scenic & Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, 

Wildlife, Historic 

Obed WSR White Creek < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Fish 

Ocmulgee NM Ocmulgee River < 1 Unknown Yes Scenic, Recreational, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Historic, Cultural 

1River segments flow through multiple Park Units. See column Other Park for other unit. Refer to other unit for details on remaining segment. 

Appendix C-15 
 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Abbreviations for National Park System Areas 

Abbreviation Definition 

NBP National Battlefield Park 

NHP National Historic Park 

NHS National Historic Site 

NL National Lakeshore 

NM National Monument 

NM & PRES National Monument and Preserve 

NMP National Military Park 

NP National Park 

NP & PRES National Park and Preserve 

N PRES National Preserve 

NSR National Scenic River 

NR National River 

NRA National Recreation Area 

NRRA National River and Recreation Area 

NS National Seashore 

NSR National Scenic River/Riverway 

NST National Scenic Trail 

PKWY Parkway 

PKWY & NST Parkway and National Scenic Trail 

WSR Wild & Scenic River 

Appendix C-16 
 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX D: LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT DATA PACKAGE SAMPLE 

Park or Program Name: North Cascades National Park Service Complex 

Region: Pacific West Region 

Staff Contact: Karen Taylor-Goodrich, Superintendent, North Cascades National Park 

Service Complex 

Phone #: (360) 854-7305 

Indicate Type of Proposal 

 New Areas (includes new area studies) 

 Boundary Adjustments and Land Exchanges 

 Development and Land Acquisition Ceiling Increases 

 General Authorities and Designated Area Authorities 

 Special Designations, Partnerships, and Other Authorities 

Requirements for Proposal 

1. Explanation of the proposal 

Explain what the proposal entails and what is trying to be accomplished. 

The National Park Service is proposing to designate the uppermost free-flowing segment of the 

Skagit River and two of its major tributaries as wild and scenic rivers under the Wild and Scenic 

Rivers Act. This designation would classify 11 miles of the Skagit River, from Gorge 

Powerhouse to the boundary of Ross Lake National Recreation Area, as “Recreational”. 

Newhalem Creek (a total of 9 miles) would be classified as “Wild” from its headwaters to 

upstream of the diversion dam at river mile one and “Recreational” from river mile one to its 

confluence with the Skagit River; and Goodell Creek (a total of 12.7 miles) would be classified 

as “Wild” from its headwaters to river mile 0.5 and “Recreational” from river mile 0.5 to its 

confluence with the Skagit River. These designations would fulfill guidance provided by the 

2012 General Management Plan for Ross Lake National Recreation Area, which specifically 

provides for these proposals. 

2. Justification for each element in the proposal 

According to the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Eligibility and Suitability Study (attached), these 

running waters are eligible for designation based upon their free-flowing conditions and 

outstandingly remarkable values (including fish, wildlife, geology, history and prehistory, 

recreation, and scenery) and based upon analysis, public comments, and consultation with 

partners and tribes. 

The Skagit River, from the boundary of Ross Lake National Recreation Area downstream to 

Sedro-Woolley, and its main tributaries (the Cascade, Suiattle, and Sauk) are already designated 

Appendix D-1 
 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

as wild and scenic rivers and are administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. 

A wild and scenic designation for the uppermost segment of the free-flowing Skagit River would 

complete the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System from Sedro-Woolley up to the start of the 

Skagit Hydroelectric Project at the Gorge Powerhouse, providing an opportunity for holistic 

watershed management. This uppermost reach of the Skagit River was not designated previously 

because a dam was proposed for the area. This dam is no longer proposed. 

Designation of Goodell Creek and Newhalem Creek would protect two significant tributaries to 

the Skagit River. These tributaries possess several outstandingly significant values including 

fish, wildlife, geology, history and prehistory, and scenery. 

3. Pertinent existing authorities 

Cite existing authorities related to the proposal and describe additional need. 

The NPS has no authority to designate Wild and Scenic Rivers. Designation would require 

either an Act of Congress or approval from the Secretary of the Interior following an application 

by the governor of Washington State. 

4. Congressional interest 

Describe any support for the proposal from either the local delegation or other member(s) of 

Congress, and indicate if the local delegation has been contacted. 

Congressmen Doc Hastings and Rick Larson, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and 

Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray were briefed on this proposal in December 2011 via 

the public release of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area Final General Management Plan 

and Environmental Impact Statement. 

Several other agencies and non-profits are pursuing wild and scenic river designation for the 

Nooksack River and Illabot Creek. The Nooksack River is the next major drainage north of the 

Skagit River. Illabot Creek is a tributary to the Skagit River, downstream of the reach presently 

proposed for designation. Unlike the Skagit River, Goodell and Newhalem Creeks, these systems 

are not within a unit of the National Park System so they are presently unprotected and 

threatened by human activities such as logging and agriculture. 

The willingness of the local congressional delegation to consider these systems for designation 

suggests that the timing may be right to include this proposal, which would not be a controversial 

addition. 

5. Previous or pending legislation 

Describe any prior legislative activity and indicate any changes. 

No prior legislative activity has occurred in relation to this proposal and no pending legislation 

exists that would impact this proposal. 

6. Positions of area landowners concerning the proposal 

Describe the position(s) and indicate if they have been notified of the intent of the proposal (if 

appropriate). 

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The segment of the Skagit River that would be impacted by this proposal is located entirely 

within Ross Lake National Recreation Area, which is managed by the NPS. The majority – 79 

percent of the lands within the likely wild and scenic boundary – is owned by the NPS and the 

other 21 percent are owned by Seattle City Light, a publically owned utility that operates three 

hydroelectric dams in Ross Lake National Recreation Area under FERC license #553. 

Washington State Department of Transportation also has a right-of-way for the North Cascades 

Scenic Highway, located within this corridor. Goodell and Newhalem Creek corridors are nearly 

entirely owned by the NPS. Since the Skagit River is navigable, Washington State also asserts 

jurisdiction and ownership over approximately 480 acres of the bed of the Skagit River below 

the ordinary high water mark. No changes are proposed in land ownership under this proposal. 

Seattle City Light (SCL) wrote a letter to North Cascades National Park Service Complex 

concerning this proposal in April 2008. Although this letter raised concerns about potential 

effects on current SCL operations (i.e. boating and obtaining approval for land use activities on 

or near the river corridor), the relicensing of the hydroelectric dams that they operate, and any 

potential future proposals by SCL to expand the Skagit transmission line corridor, SCL voiced 

general support for this proposal. “SCL is generally supportive of designating this section of the 

river under the Act,” and “SCL commends the NPS for taking the steps to further protect the 

values of the Skagit River upstream of Bacon Creek.” 

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) also wrote a comment letter to the 

park in September 2010 indicating their support for this proposal. “WSDOT believes that the 

proposed Wild and Scenic River designation is consistent with [WSDOT's environmental goal as 

articulated in the agency's Strategic Plan].” “If this segment of the Skagit River and its two 

largest tributaries receive federal Wild and Scenic River designation, WSDOT will look forward 

to participating in the subsequent development of the management plan for the river.” 

In the fall 2008, the NPS released a summary newsletter (attached) and held two public 

workshops on the preliminary findings of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Study. Several 

members of the general public as well as representatives from organizations and agencies such as 

American Rivers, American Whitewater, Blue Sky Outfitters, Downstream River Runners, 

League of Northwest Whitewater Racers, Washington Kayak Club, North Cascades Conservancy 

Council, U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, National Parks Conservation 

Association, The Wilderness Society, North Cascade Institute, and Seattle City Light attended 

these public workshops. The NPS also met independently with the Upper Skagit Tribe and the 

two other land managers in the river corridor, SCL and WSDOT. 

In addition to comments received during public workshops and agency meetings, 46 individuals, 

businesses, government agencies and/or tribes submitted written responses in the form of letters, 

e-mails, newsletter questionnaires, and comments submitted on the NPS Planning, Environment, 

and Public Comment (PEPC) website. While a few agencies/neighbors expressed concerns that 

related to the effects of Wild and Scenic River (WSR) designation on existing operations or 

potential new projects in the river corridor, most other organizations and members of the public 

voiced their support of the designation, citing permanent protection of the Outstandingly 

Remarkable Values of these exceptional river systems, completion of the Skagit WSR 

designation from Sedro-Woolley to the Skagit Hydroelectric Project and opportunities for 

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holistic watershed management, and prevention of new hydropower facilities and dams in this 

stretch of the Skagit River. 

Area landowners were also notified of this proposal via the public release of the Ross Lake 

National Recreation Area Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact 

Statement which included publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (vol. 

76, n. 242, p.78252) on December 16, 2011, direct mailings, press releases, social media 

postings, and website information. Upon closure of the 30-day public review process on January 

17, 2012, the NPS received 11 comments on the final document via email and the PEPC website. 

None of these comments were from local landowners, and none concerned this proposal. 

7. Position(s) of State and Local Governments toward the proposal 

Describe the position(s) and indicate if they have been notified of the intent of the proposal (if 

appropriate). 

Positions from Seattle City Light (local government) and Washington State Department of 

Transportation (state government) are listed under Question #6 above as these entities are also 

landowners within the project area. 

State and local governments were notified of this proposal in fall 2008 via a summary newsletter 

and two public workshops on the preliminary findings of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Study 

and again in December 2011 via the public release of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area 

Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. State and local 

governments that received notification include: 

• All State Representatives and Senators from Districts 12, 39, and 42 in Washington State 

• Cities: Concrete, Sedro-Woolley, Mt. Vernon, Anacortes, Ferndale, Winthrop, Seattle 

• Counties: Skagit, Whatcom, Chelan 

• State Departments of: Transportation, Tourism, Parks, Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Natural 

Resources, Archeology and Historic Preservation 

• University of Washington 

• British Columbia Ministry of Environment 

(See response to Question #6 above.) 

8. Position(s) of other federal agencies 

Describe the position(s) and indicate if they have been notified of the intent of the proposal (if 

appropriate). 

North Cascades National Park Service Complex has not received any comments or 

communication from other federal agencies pertaining to this issue. However, it is noteworthy 

that the U.S. Forest Service manages the Skagit River downstream of Ross Lake National 

Recreation Area which is already federally designated as the Skagit Wild and Scenic River 

system under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This proposal will therefore promote cohesive 

management along the Skagit River between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park 

Service. 

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Federal agencies were notified of this proposal in fall 2008 via a summary newsletter and two 

public workshops on the preliminary findings of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Study and 

again in December 2011 via the public release of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area Final 

General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. Federal agencies that received 

notification include: 

• Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute 

• National Park Service: Olympic National Park and San Juan Island National Historic Park 

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

• Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission 

• United States Army Corps of Engineers 

• United States Bureau of Land Management 

• United States Department of Justice 

• United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration 

• United States Environmental Protection Agency 

• United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

• United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

• United States Forest Service: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and OkanoganWenatchee National Forest 

• United States Geological Survey 

(See response to Question #6 above.) 

9. Position(s) of pertinent public organizations/professional associations 

Describe the position(s) and indicate if they have been notified of the intent of the proposal (if 

appropriate). 

The National Parks Conservation Association, Wilderness Society, American Rivers, American 

Whitewater, the U.S. Wildwater National Team, North Cascades Conservation Council, Skagit 

Audubon Society, League of Northwest Whitewater Racers, Washington Kayak Club, and 

Codorus Wildwater Club all voiced support for this proposal through written comment letters 

submitted to the park between 2008 and 2011. 

These and other pertinent public organizations/professional associations were notified of this 

proposal in fall 2008 via a summary newsletter and two public workshops on the preliminary 

findings of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Study and again in December 2011 via the public 

release of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area Final General Management Plan and 

Environmental Impact Statement. (See response to Question #6 above.) 

10. Media coverage/resources 

Describe any media coverage on the issue and include briefing statements, clips, op-eds, or 

press-releases. 

The press release, as well as an accompanying newsletter, announcing the public release of the 

Ross Lake National Recreation Area Final General Management Plan and Environmental 

Impact Statement and describing this proposed legislative action is attached. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

This specific proposal has not received media coverage, most likely due to lack of any real or 

perceived controversy. 

11. Summary of costs 

Provide a brief cost summary of the proposal. 

No costs are associated with this legislative proposal. 

12. Impact on area’s budget 

Describe the impact of the proposal on the budget of the existing area (if applicable). Generally 

discuss the current condition of the area’s inventory of buildings, as well as other resource and 

land protection priorities, and how those priorities would be impacted by the proposed 

legislation. Include information on the cost of additional personnel needed to implement the 

proposal. 

North Cascades National Park Service Complex does not anticipate any impacts to the budget 

from this proposal. The proposal does not change the policies, regulations, or resource/land 

protection priorities of North Cascades National Park Service Complex, and no additional 

personnel are needed to implement the proposal. 

13. Existing or proposed agreements 

Describe any existing agreements that are related to the proposal. 

There are no agreements associated with this proposal. 

14. Broad marketing strategy 

Suggest approaches that should be taken to market the proposal. 

Minimal marketing would be needed to create support for this proposal given the wide support it 

received during development of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area General Management 

Plan. Instead, outreach to the local congressional delegation would be advised, with the goal of 

including this proposal as part of the legislation currently under consideration for S. 383, which 

would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified segment of the Illabot 

Creek in Skagit County, Washington, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 

System. 

15. Generic authority potential 

Describe the potential for the authority you are seeking to be applied to other parks, designated 

areas, or programs. 

There is no potential for this authority to apply to other parks, designated areas, or programs. 

BACKGROUND 

16. Existing area fact sheet 

Discuss area or place where the designation, partnership, or other event would occur and 

provide pertinent background information. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

The headwaters of the Skagit River lie in British Columbia, Canada, in the North Cascades 

Mountains. The Skagit River then flows approximately 150 miles before it empties into Puget 

Sound. Abundant glaciers in the surrounding jagged peaks provide stable flows that help make it 

the only Puget Sound tributary to host all native species of anadromous fish and attracts one of 

the highest concentrations of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states. It is the largest river 

draining into the Puget Sound and the third largest river on the west coast of the contiguous 

states. The entire Skagit River Watershed Basin covers 3100 square miles; it provides 20 percent 

of the flows into Puget Sound. 

The entire segment of the Skagit River that would be affected by WSR designation is located 

within Ross Lake National Recreation Area (NRA) which is the most accessible part of the 

North Cascades National Park Service Complex. This NPS unit protects 116,798 acres of public 

land and is the corridor for scenic Washington State Route 20, also known as the North Cascades 

Highway. It includes three reservoirs along the Skagit River: Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, and Gorge 

Lake which also serve as water gateways to more remote areas. Ringed by mountains and 

glaciers, 69 percent of Ross Lake NRA is part of the federally designated Stephen Mather 

Wilderness established in 1988 with another 4 percent as potential wilderness. The Pyramid Lake 

and Big Beaver Research Natural Areas are located within Ross Lake NRA and were designated 

for their prime natural resources and processes. Ross Lake NRA offers many outdoor recreation 

opportunities along the upper reaches of the Skagit River and between the north and south units 

of North Cascades National Park. 

Visitation to Ross Lake NRA is seasonal in nature, with 82 percent of all visits occurring in June 

through September. Between 1991 and 2003 visitation to Ross Lake NRA averaged about 

337,000 people per year and fluctuated between a high of 425,000 people in 1998 and a low of 

273,000 in 2000. These visitor use numbers were estimated using numerous traffic counters, 

campground and visitor center counts collected by park staff, backcountry camping counts 

collected from the backcountry permit database, and reporting by partners and concessioners. 

This legislative proposal is included within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area Final 

General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement that was released in December 

2011 (Record of Decision signed March 21, 2012). Based on the findings of the Skagit Wild and 

Scenic River Eligibility and Suitability Study, this plan states that the NPS will recommend 

Congressional legislation for wild and scenic river designation of the Skagit River from Gorge 

Powerhouse downstream to the boundary of Ross Lake NRA, Goodell Creek, and Newhalem 

Creek. This river segment and creeks were found eligible based upon their free-flowing 

conditions and outstandingly remarkable values and based upon analysis, public comments, and 

consultation with partners and tribes. A wild and scenic designation will complete the Skagit 

Wild and Scenic River System from Sedro-Woolley up to the start of the Skagit Hydroelectric 

Project at the Gorge Powerhouse, providing an opportunity for holistic watershed management. 

The 11-mile Skagit River segment, from Gorge Powerhouse to the Ross Lake NRA boundary, 

contains the following outstandingly remarkable values: fish, wildlife, geology, pre-history, 

history, scenery, and recreation. The Skagit River would be classified as “Recreational,” due to 

the hydropower dams upstream and presence of the North Cascades Highway paralleling the 

river for this entire stretch. The Skagit River between Gorge Dam and Gorge Powerhouse is not 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

eligible because this largely dewatered reach does not meet the free-flow requirements of the 

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 

Goodell Creek, 12.7 miles from its headwaters to its confluence with the Skagit River, possesses 

the following outstandingly remarkable values: fish, wildlife, geology, and scenery. Goodell 

Creek would be classified as “Wild” from its headwaters to river mile 0.5 and “Recreational” 

from river mile 0.5 to its confluence with the Skagit River. 

Newhalem Creek, 9 miles from its headwaters to its confluence with the Skagit River, possesses 

the following outstandingly remarkable values: wildlife, geology, history, pre-history, and 

scenery. Newhalem Creek would be classified as “Wild” from its headwaters to upstream of the 

diversion dam at river mile one and “Recreational” from river mile one to its confluence with the 

Skagit River. 

The complete Skagit Wild and Scenic River Eligibility and Suitability Study is attached to this 

legislative support data package. 

17. Photographic/visual support material 

8 x 10 size material is preferred. (include captions) 

See attached maps of Skagit River WSR Classifications. 

18. Boundary map 

8 1/2 x 11 and exhibit size when requested and if applicable. 

To be provided upon request. 

LAND ACQUISITION 

19. Landownership map 

8 1/2 x 11 and exhibit size when requested and if applicable. 

No land acquisition is associated with this proposal. 

20. Landownership data 

Discuss who owns land and how it would be acquired (purchase, donation, exchange, 

condemnation, etc.) 

No land acquisition is associated with this proposal. 

21. Land acquisition and costs 

Describe estimated land acquisition and project implementation costs. 

No land acquisition is associated with this proposal. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

VISITATION 

22. Visitation 

Provide information on expected attendance at event or at partnership project. 

No event or partnership project is associated with this proposal. 

23. Visitation at nearby areas/attractions 

Provide information on current and previous 5 years, if available (i.e. vicinity parks). 

According to the NPS Public Use Statistics Office, Ross Lake NRA, with 529,810 visitors in 

2011, accounted for approximately 10 percent of all visitors to NPS units in Washington State 

that year. The majority of these visitors transit Ross Lake NRA via the North Cascades Highway, 

which parallels the Skagit River and crosses the lower reach of Goodell Creek. 

PLANNING/ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 

24. National Park System participation statement 

Describe how NPS leadership in the commission, event, or project would further the purposes of 

the National Park Service. 

The Skagit River was one of the original rivers designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 

but the reach of river and its tributaries were not designated within Ross Lake NRA. This 

proposal would further the purposes of the National Park Service by creating a more tangible and 

visible connection between the Ross Lake NRA and the greater North Cascades ecosystem. 

Enhancing this connectivity with the broader watershed of the Skagit River, would follow the 

guidance provided by the 2012 Leopold Report, which provides “the [NPS] should become the 

core element of a national...network of lands...managed for resiliency and connectivity, guided 

by scientific research...thereby fulfilling a conservation imperative of protecting the distinctive 

role and future of the national park system within the broader American landscape and 

consciousness.” 

25. Copies of relevant planning documents 

Provide copies of the documents and a description of the results (3 copies). 

See attached. 

26. Environmental compliance documents 

Provide copies of the documents and a description of the results (3 copies). 

See attached. 

Note: Items 27-28 may be skipped if the information is included in the planning documents 

provided above. However, if the information is not included or is incomplete at this time, please 

answer the following: 

27. Summary of public involvement/comment 

Discuss public involvement during the process for the commission, event, or project. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Information is included in the planning and environmental compliance documents. 

28. Alternatives 

Provide a short description of each alternative considered for the commission, event, or project 

(if applicable). 

Information is included in the environmental compliance document. 

FUNDING/FTE 

29. Gross appropriations for the last three years 

Provide general budget figures for the related organizations, or other participants in the project. 

No other organizations or participants are associated with this proposal. 

30. Proposed funding 

List all proposed non-federal funding that would be used to support the commission, event, or 

project. 

No non-federal funding is proposed for this proposal. 

31. Proposed fees 

Describe any fees that will be charged to support the commission, event, or project. 

No fees will be charged with this proposal. 

32. Anticipated distribution of receipts 

Describe and indicate how fees and other receipts will be distributed and used. 

N/A. No fees will be charged with this proposal. 

33. Current staffing 

Break down current staffing for the related organizations, groups, or other participants in the 

project. 

No other organizations or participants are associated with this proposal. 

34. Additional staffing expected 

Break down additional FTE expected as a result of the proposal by permanent, temporary, and 

discuss needed participation by NPS employees. 

No additional personnel are needed to implement the proposal. 

DEVELOPMENT 

35. State of infrastructure 

Describe the current condition of any infrastructure related to the commission, event, or project. 

No infrastructure is needed for this proposal. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

36. Proposed development costs 

Describe needed infrastructure (include estimated costs). 

Not Applicable 

37. Development schedule for existing area 

Describe how development is proceeding, and when completion is expected. 

Not Applicable 

38. Development schedule for additions proposed in legislation 

Describe the time frame expected or planned for new development. 

Not Applicable 

39. Development expenditures to date 

Indicate total expenditures and summarize where necessary. 

Not Applicable 

40. Development concept plan 

Include a copy or summarize if in progress. 

Not Applicable 

Appendix D-11 
Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX E: SECTION 2(A)(II) SAMPLE PREPARATION 

MATERIALS (UNDER DEVELOPMENT) 

1. FERC notification letter (Internal only) 

2. Other documents (Internal only) 

Appendix E-1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX F: INTEGRATING WILD AND SCENIC RIVER VALUES 

IN FOUNDATION DOCUMENTS 

The approach to integrating Wild and Scenic River (WSR) values statements and related 

information into a foundation document will vary depending on the relationship between the 

park unit and the river,

1 by the type of WSR designation, and by the rivers’ designated versus 

inventoried status2. Some examples are provided below, illustrating the continuum from 1) parks 

where the foundation document’s fundamental and other important resources and values, special 

mandates, administrative commitments, and interpretive themes will be strongly informed by the 

values and management requirements associated with the WSR; through 2) parks where 

foundational elements may include one or more WSR values or attributes (including the values 

that make inventoried WSRs eligible for designation); to 3) park units that have short sections of 

non-unit WSRs within their boundaries, where foundational elements may be largely 

independent of the WSR. 

The following examples illustrate the range of relationships between park units and WSRs: 

• Some park units are WSRs, e.g. the Upper Delaware National Scenic and 

Recreational River, Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, Niobrara National Scenic 

River, and Obed Wild and Scenic River. 

• In other units, WSRs define park geography, e.g. the Virgin River in Zion National 

Park, the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, and the Middle Delaware River in 

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 

• WSRs may be prominent features within areas of some parks, although these parks as 

a whole are less defined by these river features, e.g. the Merced and Tuolumne WSRs 

in Yosemite National Park; the Noatak, Kobuk, Alatna, John, North Fork Koyukuk, 

and Tinayguk WSRs in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve; and the 

Cache La Poudre WSR in Rocky Mountain National Park. 

• In some parks the WSR is a less significant feature within the park, e.g. the Lewis 

Fork of the Snake WSR in Yellowstone National Park. 

• WSRs have been inventoried but not designated in some units, i.e., river segments 

have been found eligible for designation based on their free-flowing character and 

one or more outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). 

• A handful of park units are WSRs with no federal land base, facilities, or uniformed 

staff, e.g. the Great Egg Harbor, Maurice and Lamprey WSRs. 

• Some WSRs flow through park units but are not considered park units. For example, 

a section of the Concord River, which is part of the Sudbury Assabet Concord WSR, 

flows through Minute Man NHP but is administered as a Partnership river, and the 

1 Foundation documents will be prepared for WSRs that are NPS units, but not for WSRs where designation 

language exempted the river from Section 10(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 

2 “Inventoried” WSRs are in-park river segments found eligible for designation pursuant to an agency-initiated study 

under Section 5(d)(1) of the WSRA. These rivers are free-flowing and possess at least one outstandingly 

remarkable value. The WSRA requires NPS to use its existing authorities to maintain these segments’ eligibility 

until Congress decides whether to designate them unless the segments are subsequently determined to be nonsuitable for designation. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Klamath River, which is a state-administered river in California that flows through 

Redwood National and State Parks. 

The NPS administers several Partnership WSRs that are not considered park units (through 

explicit language in their legislation) of the NPS, are not connected to park units, and have no 

federal land base, e.g. the Upper Farmington and Musconetcong WSRs. Foundation documents 

will not be prepared for WSRs that are not park units. In addition, NPS has no authority to 

prepare foundation documents or CRMPs for state-administered (2(a)(ii)) WSRs, e.g. the 

Westfield, Allagash, and Little Miami WSRs. This guidance does not apply to Partnership or 

2(a)(ii) WSRs that are not park units. 

Foundation documents should be prepared for parks that are WSRs. The foundation document 

provides overarching guidance to other plans, including the general management plan or CRMP, 

i.e. the unit management plan for the park area. Where WSRs are located within or border a park 

unit, the foundation document should include substantial information about the WSR’s water 

quality, free flowing character and outstanding river values that led to the river’s designation. In 

addition, special management requirements for rivers within park units that are identified on the 

nation-wide inventory or have been identified as eligible for designation should be described in 

the Special Mandates section of the foundation document. 

1. Foundation Document Content 

The following components of a park foundation document are most relevant in the consideration 

of the wild and scenic river resource: 

Purpose 

A purpose statement describes the specific reason(s) for establishing a particular park. It is 

grounded in an analysis of park enabling and any subsequent legislation, goes beyond a 

restatement of the law, and may be changed over time as new legislation (such as wild and scenic 

river designation) is adopted. The park purpose statement for parks that are WSRs should 

include the river’s designation history. For other parks, the level of detail in any references to 

the WSR designation in the park purpose statement will vary based on appropriateness. For 

example, for a park with multiple WSRs, it may be appropriate to mention protection of freeflowing rivers in the purpose statement. A purpose statement is both sweeping and brief, and as 

such, should not get into much detail about wild and scenic river resource values. 

Significance 

Significance statements describe why the park is important within a global, national, regional, 

and system-wide context. They reaffirm how a park’s natural and cultural resources contribute 

to our national heritage. With few exceptions, designated wild and scenic rivers contribute to a 

park’s importance. The WSR’s free-flowing character, water quality, and ORVs have already 

met national significance standards by meeting WSR designation criteria. Individual WSR 

values need not be reiterated within the significance statement. Instead, consider capturing 

relevant values or attributes in the significance statement. For example, the iconic views of the 

Tetons across the Snake River at the Oxbow, an attribute of the river’s Scenery ORV, might be 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

included in Grand Tetons’ park significance statement. Likewise, the Delaware River’s 

significance as the longest undammed river in the Northeastern USA, related to the free-flowing 

character of four contiguous WSRs managed by NPS, might be included in the Delaware Water 

Gap’s significance statement. 

Fundamental Resources and Values 

These resources and values are considered critical to achieving a park’s purpose and maintaining 

its significance. For parks that are WSRs, fundamental resources and values (FRVs) are the 

river’s values (free-flowing character, water quality and ORVs) plus non-river related values 

associated with wilderness or Class I airsheds. 

For parks with WSRs, WSR values should be included in fundamental resources and values, 

although the level of detail will vary depending on the relationship between the river and park. 

Fundamental resources and values statements can incorporate more information about WSR 

values than significance statements. ORV narratives are especially helpful in identifying 

fundamental resources and values related to WSRs. In parks that have WSRs within wilderness, 

the river’s free-flowing character narrative along with wilderness character may help describe 

FRVs related to the park’s natural or untrammeled condition. 

Other Important Resources and Values 

Other important resources and values warrant special consideration in planning and management 

but are not fundamental to the purpose of the park, and may be unrelated to its significance. For 

parks with inventoried WSRs, reference specific WSR eligibility values in this section of the 

park foundation document. 

Interpretive Themes 

Interpretive themes are necessary to provide people a perspective from which to understand and 

appreciate park purpose, significance, resources and values. For park units that are WSRs, the 

set of interpretive themes should recognize one or more WSR values, e.g. the WSR’s freeflowing character and its ORVs. For WSRs within parks, consider including an interpretive 

theme incorporating the river’s WSR status and/or one or more WSR values where relevant to 

the park’s purpose and significance. The WSR logo may be used in interpretive materials and 

on signs as appropriate. 

Special Mandates and Administrative Commitments 

References to WSRs in this section of the document will vary depending on the relationship 

between the WSR and the park. For all WSRs, WSRA requirements (e.g. the mandate to protect 

and enhance WSR values, to conduct Section 7 determinations on all projects involving 

construction in the bed and banks of the WSR, and federal reserved water rights provisions) 

should be addressed in the special mandates section of the foundation. Provisions specific to 

individual WSRs should also be included, such as pre-emption of the WSRA’s land 

condemnation authority (Lamprey River), statutory waivers that allow continued operation of a 

dam (e.g. Jackson Lake Dam on the Snake River), and provisions that exempt certain structures 

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or activities from Section 7 review (Stillwater Bridge on the SACN, bank stabilization along the 

Missouri WSR in MNRR). Describe any partnership agreements such as the relationship 

between NPS and a local WSR advisory committee or council in the special mandates section if 

legislated, or under the administrative commitment heading if not. Include commitments made 

to other entities, such as agreements with USFS, USFWS, BLM or states to co-manage certain 

WSRs. For inventoried WSRs, include in the special mandates section the requirement to 

maintain eligibility until the rivers are either designated by Congress or determined to be nonsuitable (see NPS Management Policies 2006, 2.3.1.8 and 4.3.4). 

Park Atlas 

For all parks with WSRs, segment classifications and boundaries should be included in the park 

atlas. For parks with WSR inventories, include all segments determined to be eligible and their 

preliminary classifications. 

Assessment of Planning and Data Needs 

For all parks with WSRs designated under Section 3(a) of the WSRA (i.e., WSRs designated by 

Congress and administered by federal agencies, in contrast to WSRs designated by the Secretary 

of the Interior and managed by states), the need for a new or updated CRMP should be assessed. 

Information needed to support preparation of a CRMP, such as scenic assessments, user capacity 

studies, or cultural resource inventories, should also be included. In situations where portions of 

the WSR are managed by a different agency (e.g., portions of the Snake River Headwaters WSR 

managed by USFS and USFWS; the Virgin WSR downstream of Zion National Park, managed 

by BLM; and the Flathead and portions of the Cache La Poudre WSRs, managed by USFS), any 

NPS planning associated with the need to cooperate with the managing entity should be 

described. For parks that do not already have WSR inventories, the need to incorporate WSR 

eligibility or eligibility and suitability determinations in unit management plans should also be 

assessed. The NPS WSR Steering Committee’s regional representative can assist in these 

assessments. 

2. Wild and Scenic Rivers in Park Foundation Documents 

Wild and Scenic River connections to park foundation documents is presented in Table 1. 

Table 1. The Wild and Scenic River Connection to a Park Foundation Document 

Park Foundation 

Document Wild and Scenic River Connection 

Data Gathering and 

Preparation for 

Foundation Workshop 

Collect the following (as relevant to the park): WSR legislation and associated 

congressional subcommittee reports and hearings; WSR map, including 

segments, classifications, and boundaries; WSR study report; WSR eligibility 

and suitability assessments; WSR administrative commitments with other 

agencies and councils. Confirm that the foundation participant guide includes 

prompts and instructions for addressing WSR values. If completed, the WSR 

values statement and workshop report should be made available. 

Park Atlas Include a current GIS map identifying each WSR segment in the park, including 

the segment boundaries and classification. Include eligible WSRs and their 

preliminary classifications. 

Appendix F-4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Park Foundation 

Document Wild and Scenic River Connection 

Park Purpose For parks with WSRs, include a reference to WSRs in the park purpose 

statement as appropriate. 

Park Significance For park units that are WSRs, strongly consider capturing what is special or 

distinctive about WSR Values in the set of significance statements. For parks 

that contain WSRs, consider including one or more WSR values in the 

significance statements if they are relevant to overall park significance. 

Interpretive Themes If WSR values have been identified as part of a park’s purpose or significance, 

the set of interpretive themes should recognize one or more WSR value 

attributes. 

Fundamental 

Resources and Values 

For parks that are WSRs, summarize the WSR values. For parks with WSRs, 

provide an appropriate level of detail about WSR values in the set of 

fundamental resources and values. 

Other Important 

Resources and Values 

For parks with inventoried WSRs, reference specific WSR eligibility values in 

this section of the park foundation document. 

Special Mandates and For all WSRs, address WSRA management requirements in the special 

Administrative mandates section of the foundation. Provisions specific to individual WSRs 

Commitments should also be included. Describe any partnership agreements such as the 

relationship between NPS and a local WSR advisory committee or council in the 

special mandates section if legislated, or under the administrative commitment 

heading if not. Include commitments made to other entities, such as agreements 

with USFS, USFWS, BLM or states to co-manage certain WSRs. For 

inventoried WSRs, include in the special mandates section the requirement to 

maintain eligibility until the rivers are either designated by Congress or 

determined to be non-suitable. 

Analysis of 

Fundamental and Other 

Important Resources 

and Values 

Identify the current conditions, trends, potential threats, issues, and opportunities 

related to WSR values, and the condition of key relevant data. Include an 

analysis of conditions relating to the WSR’s user capacity, i.e., trends in use and 

the condition of WSR values that could be affected by such use. 

Assessment of 

Planning and Data 

Needs 

For all parks with WSRs designated under Section 3(a) of the WSRA, the need 

for a new or updated CRMP should be assessed. Information needed to support 

preparation of a CRMP, such as scenic assessments, user capacity studies, or 

cultural resource inventories, should also be included. In situations where 

portions of the WSR are managed by a different agency, any NPS planning 

associated with the need to cooperate with the managing entity should be 

described. For parks that do not have WSR inventories, the need to incorporate 

WSR eligibility or eligibility and suitability determinations in unit management 

plans should be assessed. The NPS WSR Steering Committee’s regional 

representative can assist in these assessments. 

Appendix Include “WSR Basics” (WSR background information, including legislation and 

associated congressional subcommittee reports and hearings, WSR values 

statement; and issues for future WSR CRMPs in a foundation document 

appendix, if at all possible. 

Appendix F-5 
 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX G: BOUNDARY ESTABLISHMENT SAMPLE MATERIALS 

• Three-Week Out Submission 

• Office of the Executive Secretariat (OES) cover letter 

• General background brief for Region 

• Request brief to transmit Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR) Boundary and Classification 

Maps to Congress and publish Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register (FR) 

• Congressional notice letter 

• Transmittal Cover Letter - Federal Register Notice of Availability 

• Federal Register Notice of Availability 

• Coordination letter from other federal agency 

• Sample maps – to be added/linked 

Appendix G-1 
 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Three-Week Out Submission 

Three-Week Out Submission 

Intermountain Region 

Zion National Park, Utah 

The Intermountain Region (IMR) of the National Park Service (NPS) and Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) will soon announce the transmission of Boundary Maps for the Virgin 

River, as part of the Virgin River Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Assessment 

(CMP/EA). The Virgin River and its tributaries in Zion National Park and adjacent Bureau of 

Land Management wilderness was designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in the 

Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11). The NPS and BLM 

initiated the planning process in 2010. 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires publication of a Federal Register Notice of Availability 

of boundary maps and classifications, which become effective 90 days after they have been 

transmitted to Congress (Section 3(b); 16 USC 1274). 

The Comprehensive Management Plan for the Virgin Wild and Scenic River was jointly 

developed and finalized by the NPS and the BLM. The NPS has taken the lead for the jointly 

developed CMP and publication and transmittal of the boundary and classification information. 

Background and Current Status: 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA) requires that detailed boundaries portrayed on maps be 

established and submitted to Congress as part of the planning process. 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires publication of a Federal Register Notice of Availability 

of the boundaries and classification of designated rivers. The boundaries and classifications, and 

subsequent boundary amendments, become effective 90 days after they have been forwarded to 

the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

WSRA requires maps of all boundaries and descriptions of the classifications of designated river 

segments, be available for public inspection in the offices of the administering agency in the 

District of Columbia and in locations convenient to the designated river. Maps will be available 

on eTIC and LandsNet. 

The river’s lateral boundary is delineated so as to best protect its outstandingly remarkable 

values within the acreage limitations specified in the WSRA and is subject to NEPA analysis as 

part of the development of the Comprehensive Management Plan. The boundary defines the area 

that will receive the greatest effort in resource protection and the area in which lands and interest 

in lands may be acquired for WSR purposes. The WSR boundary does not provide any authority 

to regulate non-federal lands. 

Appendix G-2 
 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

OES Cover Sheet 

Name of Document: 

Notice of Availability of Boundary and Classification Descriptions and Final Maps for Snake 

River Headwaters, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 

Memorial Parkway, and National Elk Refuge 

Purpose of Document: 

The purpose of this Notice of Availability is to establish the boundary and classifications of the 

Snake River Headwaters on lands managed by Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and 

the National Elk Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pursuant to Public Law 

111-11 (123 Stat. 1147), known as the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act of 2008 that 

added approximately 388 miles of rivers and streams in the Snake River Headwaters to the 

national wild and scenic rivers system, the National Park Service is: 

1. transmitting the final boundary and classification descriptions and maps of the Snake 

River Headwaters Wild and Scenic Rivers to Congress; and 

2. publishing a notice in the Federal Register, informing the public where they can view the 

maps. 

The Snake River Headwaters includes 13 rivers and 25 separate river segments in portions of 

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, the 

National Elk Refuge, and adjacent Bridger-Teton National Forest. A CMP/EA for the Snake 

River Headwaters was jointly developed by the NPS and USFWS in 2013 and a Finding of No 

Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed in 2014. Due to the large size of this Wild and Scenic 

River designation, the National Park Service/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bridger Teton 

National Forest have developed separate but concurrent CRMPs for river segments within or 

along their respective administrative boundaries. The boundary establishment addressed in this 

Federal Register notice includes only those lands managed by the National Park Service and U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Senior Reviewers: 

Senior Regional Official: Sue E. Masica (Regional Director, Intermountain Region) 

Senior Bureau Official(s): Jeff Reinbold (Assistant Director, Partnerships & Civic 

Engagement) 

Vic Knox (Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities & Lands) 

Peggy O’Dell (Deputy Director, Operations) 

Appendix G-3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

General Background Brief for Region 

BRIEFING STATEMENT – Regional Background 

Bureau: National Park Service 

Issue: WASO Transmission of Boundary Maps for the Virgin River Comprehensive 

Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (CMP/EA) 

Date: April 2014 

Background: On March 30, 2009, passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 

2009 added approximately 163 miles of rivers and streams of the Virgin River to the National 

Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The purpose of the Virgin River Comprehensive Management 

Plan and Environmental Assessment (CMP/EA) is to protect the free-flowing condition, water 

quality, and outstandingly remarkable ecological, scenic, recreational, and cultural values of the 

Virgin River and its tributaries for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

The need for the plan is rooted in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which requires comprehensive 

planning for designated rivers to provide protection of the free-flowing character, water quality, 

and outstandingly remarkable values of rivers. This plan establishes overall management 

direction for designated wild and scenic river segments within Zion National Park and the 

adjacent Bureau of Land Management Wilderness. The CMP/EA addresses resource protection, 

development of lands and facilities, user capacities, and other management strategies necessary 

or desirable to achieve desired resource conditions and the purpose of the Wild and Scenic 

Rivers Act. 

The Virgin River corridor is unique in that it encompasses significant portions of a watershed, 

rather than just one river. It includes 41 separate river and tributary segments. These tributaries 

flow across NPS, BLM and a small portion of private lands. Since the majority of the designated 

river corridor is on NPS land (about 144 miles), NPS led the joint plan development. BLM 

retains management within their administrative boundaries. The NPS has worked closely with 

the BLM to ensure the plan is consistent with Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Interagency 

Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council. The state of Utah has been consulted. 

Public Outreach: As part of the public scoping for the plan, postcards were distributed at Zion 

National Park and the BLM Field Office in St. George and newsletters were mailed to over 220 

people and federal, state and local agencies to seek input on our planning efforts. Public 

comment was on issues and opportunities concerning the protection of the Virgin River and its 

outstandingly remarkable values. Three public meetings were held in Springdale, St. George and 

Salt Lake City, Utah in October 2010. A total of 26 people attended. Sixty-four public 

correspondences were received. Input received during public scoping was fundamental to 

developing alternatives. 

Public review of the plan was available from July 29 to September 9, 2013. The plan was posted 

on PEPC, and press releases were sent out. Copies of the plan were available at the BLM office 

and Zion National Park and sent to those that requested them. A total of 24 comments were 

received. Many commenters stated their preference for alternative C, the agency preferred 

Appendix G-4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

alternative, of the plan. In general, commenters stated their desire for protection of resources 

within Zion National Park and on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) segments of the Virgin 

River. Some commenters were in favor of the levels of access prescribed in the plan, while 

others expressed the desire for access to be unregulated. 

Alternative C (NPS Preferred): In alternative C, the river corridor would be managed with an 

emphasis on resource protection. Recreational activities that are compatible with resource 

protection strategies would be available throughout the park and on BLM-managed lands. Virgin 

River and its tributaries would be managed to maintain or enhance recreational opportunities— 

public uses would continue to be allowed unless there is a clear need to limit use. Educational 

and interpretive opportunities would also be enhanced for both natural and cultural resources. 

The agency staff would develop new connections through education and would build advocacy. 

Relevance would be maintained through use of new technology for media and outreach. The 

National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management would continue to be open to new 

recreation experiences compatible with protection of WSR values and provide a diversity of 

experiences for a variety of abilities, interests, and cultures. The National Park Service and 

Bureau of Land Management would actively manage visitor areas to maintain use levels or allow 

a small increase in use while protecting WSR values. 

Prior Briefings and Actions: After public scoping in 2010, the IMR Regional Director and staff 

were briefed. The IMR RD was briefed on and approved the range of alternatives in August 

2011. During the January 2012 Intermountain Region Work Session, the Regional Director 

approved the preferred alternative. In July of 2012, the CMP/EA was sent to the park and the 

Bureau of Land Management as well as the WSR Program Office for review. Comments were 

received and, in particular, dialogue related to user capacity between the WSR Program Office, 

the park and DSC have resulted in additional discussion regarding this management approach in 

the plan. To date, all comments have been addressed and the plan has been revised accordingly. 

In February 2013 Intermountain Region Work Session, the Regional Director approved a 

concurrent IMR and WASO Review of the Plan. IMR and WASO Policy review comments were 

received at the end of April. The team has held several conference calls with WASO and WSR 

staff and has revised the plan. On May 20, 2013, IMR gave approval to go forward with a 

WASO Clearance to Print Briefing. On June 21, 2013, a Clearance to Print Briefing was held 

and clearance granted. Peggy O’Dell, Bert Frost, Vic Knox and Patrick Gregerson were in 

attendance. The FONSI was signed January 8, 2014. 

Issues: During scoping, an advocacy group requested the National Park Service to consider 

raising the flow rate limits on paddling the upper Narrows portion of the Virgin River. Zion 

currently manages flow rate limits for hiking, canyoneering and paddling through the 

Superintendent’s Compendium based on public and park employee safety. The National Park 

Service determined that the Superintendent’s Compendium is an appropriate instrument to deal 

with flow rate limits for various activities and would provide more flexibility to deal with 

changing conditions and technology than establishing new limits as part of the Comprehensive 

Management Plan. During comment on the plan, American Whitewater made similar comments 

about flow rate limits on paddling. The park staff met with representatives of American 

Whitewater to discuss the safety and natural resource impacts that were considered in setting the 

flowrate limits. After this discussion, American Whitewater stated they understood the 

reasoning for the limits. No further action from this group is anticipated on this issue. 

Appendix G-5 
 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Development of Virgin River Boundary and Maps: The river corridor boundary for the Virgin 

River was created using geographic information system technology to delineate canyon rims and 

major geologic layers. In accordance with the plan criteria, the boundary should: 1) protect 

outstandingly remarkable values, free-flowing condition, and water quality; 2) be identifiable on 

the ground (where possible, for example: canyon bottom); and 3) be described (where possible, 

for example: base of Navajo sandstone). The boundary includes areas only within Zion National 

Park and BLM boundaries. 

Congressional Contacts: Senators: Orin Hatch and Mike Lee, Representative: Chris 

Stewart 

Contacts: Kezia Nielsen, Planning and Compliance, Zion National Park, 435-772-0211 

Tracy Atkins, Project Manager, Denver Service Center, 303-969-2325 

Appendix G-6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Request for Brief to Transmit WSR Boundary and Classification Maps to Congress and 

Publish NOA in the Federal Register 

BRIEFING STATEMENT – Request to Transmit to Congress and Publish NOA 

Bureau: National Park Service 

Issue: Wild and Scenic Rivers Boundary Classification Notification Requirements 

Park: Zion – Virgin Wild and Scenic River 

Member: Senator Orin Hatch, Senator Mike Lee, Representative Chris Stewart 

Date: April 2014 

Key Points: 

• The Virgin River and its tributaries in Zion National Park and adjacent Bureau of Land 

Management wilderness was designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in the 

Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11). 

• The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires publication of a Federal Register Notice of 

Availability of boundary maps and classifications, which become effective 90 days after 

they have been transmitted to Congress (Section 3(b); 16 USC 1274). 

• The Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Virgin Wild and Scenic River was 

jointly developed and finalized by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Bureau of 

Land Management (BLM). 

• The NPS has taken the lead for the jointly developed CRMP and publication and 

transmittal of the boundary and classification information. 

Background and Current Status: 

• The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA) requires that detailed boundaries portrayed on 

maps be established and submitted to Congress within one year of designation, along 

with the appropriate classification (Section 3(b); 16 USC 1274). Agencies may finalize 

boundaries through their respective land management planning process. Pending the 

establishment of detailed river boundaries, the WSRA specifies that the interim boundary 

is one-quarter mile on each side of the river as measured from the ordinary high water 

mark. 

• Section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires publication of a Federal Register 

Notice of Availability of the boundaries and classification of designated rivers. The 

boundaries and classifications, and subsequent boundary amendments, become effective 

90 days after they have been forwarded to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of 

the House of Representatives. 

• Section 3(c) of the WSRA requires maps of all boundaries and descriptions of the 

classifications of designated river segments, as well as any subsequent amended 

boundaries, be available for public inspection in the offices of the administering agency 

in the District of Columbia and in locations convenient to the designated river. Maps will 

be available on eTIC and LandsNet. 

• Although the WSRA requires the establishment of detailed boundaries and classification 

within one year of designation, and development of a Comprehensive River Management 

Plan within 3 years of designation, these deadlines are rarely met. Interim boundaries and 

classification information are made available to the public through the planning process 

under NEPA. Notice of availability in the Federal Register and Congressional transmittal 

of the final boundary and classification is made as soon as the planning process is 

complete. 

Appendix G-7 
Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

• The river’s lateral boundary is delineated so as to best protect its outstandingly 

remarkable values within the acreage limitations specified in the WSRA and is subject to 

NEPA analysis as part of the development of the Comprehensive River Management 

Plan. The boundary defines the area that will receive the greatest effort in resource 

protection and the area in which lands and interest in lands may be acquired for WSR 

purposes. The WSR boundary does not provide any authority to regulate non-federal 

lands. 

• The river is classified as wild, scenic, or recreational based on the level of development at 

the time of designations of the shoreline, watercourse and access (Section 2(b); 16 USC 

1273). 

• Rivers administered by multiple federal agencies prepare and transmit the required 

information jointly. 

Request: 

• Transmit Virgin River Wild and Scenic Rivers Boundary and Classification Maps to 

Congress and publish Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. 

Contact: Tracy Atkins, (303) 969-2325; Kezia Nielsen (435) 772-0211; Joan Harn (202) 354-

6929 

Appendix G-8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Example of a Congressional Notice Letter 

United States Department of the Interior 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 

Zion National Park 

Springdale, UT 84767 

File Code: 

Date 

The Honorable Lisa Murkowski 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 

United States Senate 

340 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

Dear Senator Murkowski: 

In accordance with section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (82 Stat. 906 as amended; 16 

U.S.C. 1274), we are pleased to forward the detailed boundaries for the Virgin Wild and Scenic 

River, in Utah. The river was added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by the 

Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11) on March 30, 2009. This river is 

administered by Zion National Park and the St. George Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management. 

Questions about the boundary descriptions and final maps should be directed to Tracy Atkins, Project 

Manager for Denver Service Center, (303) 969-2325, for specific aspects of this boundary amendment or 

Joan Harn, Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Program, (202) 354-6929, for the general boundary 

amendment process. 

A similar letter has been sent to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the Senate; and the 

Honorable John Boehner, Speaker of the House; as well as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Energy 

and Natural Resources; and the Chairman and Ranking Member, House Committee on Natural Resources. 

Sincerely, 

Peggy O’Dell 

Deputy Director Operations, National Park Service 

Appendix G-9 
 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Transmittal Cover Letter - Federal Register Notice of Availability 

United States Department of the Interior 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 

Zion National Park 

Springdale, UT 84767 

IN REPLY REFER TO: 

NPS0015480 

June 6, 2014 

Memorandum 

To: Federal Register Liaison Office, WASO-237 

From: Tracy Atkins, Project Manager, Denver Service Center-Planning Division for Cindy Purcell, Acting 

Superintendent, Zion National Park 

Subject: Federal Register publication - Notice of Availability of Boundary Description and Final Maps for 

Virgin River, Zion National Park and St. George Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management, 

Utah 

Enclosed are four (4) signed originals of the Notice of Availability for publication in the Federal Register. Also 

enclosed is the briefing statement, an approved purchase request to cover the costs of publication, a CD 

containing the notice, and a letter to the Director of the Office of the Federal Register stating the CD is certified to 

be a true copy of the original document. For further information, contact Tracy Atkins at 303-969-2325. 

In order to keep the project on schedule, the NOA needs to be published in the Federal Register on July 11, 2014. 

Please coordinate the NPS publication with the EPA Office of Federal Activities in Washington so both NOAs are 

published on July 11. 

Sincerely, 

Tracy Atkins 

Project Manager, Denver Service Center, Planning Division 

Enclosures included in transmittal package 

cc: 

Sue E. Masica – Regional Director, Intermountain Region 

Cindy Purcell, Acting Superintendent, Zion National Park 

Jimmy Tyree, Field Office Manager, St. George Field Office, BLM 

TIC 

Appendix G-10 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Federal Register Notice of Availability 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 4312-CB 

National Park Service 

[NPS-IMR-NPS0015480] 

[PX.PD166570D.00.1] 

Boundary Description and Final Maps for Virgin River, Zion National Park and St. George Field Office of 

the Bureau of Land Management, Utah 

AGENCY: National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, Interior 

ACTION: Notice of Availability 

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Park Service 

and Bureau of Land Management are transmitting the final boundary description and map of the Virgin 

Wild and Scenic River to Congress. 

DATES: The boundaries and classification of the Virgin Wild and Scenic River shall not become effective 

until ninety (90) days after they have been forwarded to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of 

the House of Representatives. In accordance with section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (82 Stat. 

906 as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1274), the detailed boundary descriptions and final maps were forwarded on 

xxx, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: Documents may be viewed at any National Park Service Office through the LandsNet 

website [http://landsnet.nps.gov/tractsnet/documents/ZION/Miscellaneous/zion_VirginWSR_116-

123881thru90.pdf] and at Zion National Park Headquarters, SR 9 Springdale, UT 84767 and at the 

Bureau of Land Management St. George Field Office, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information may be obtained by contacting the following office: Denver 

Service Center, 12795 W. Alameda Parkway, Denver, CO 80228, 303-969-2325, tracy_atkins@nps.gov. 

Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information 

Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, 

Monday through Friday. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virgin Wild and Scenic River boundary is available for review at 

the following offices: Any National Park Service office through the LandsNet website, Zion National Park 

Headquarters, SR 9 Springdale, UT 84767 and at the Bureau of Land Management St. George Field 

Office, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790. 

The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11) of March 30, 2009, designated 

the Virgin Wild and Scenic River, to be Administered by the Secretary of Interior. As specified by law, 

the boundary will not be effective until ninety (90) days after Congress receives the transmittal. 

Date: ________________________________________ 

Signed: _______________________________________ 

Sue E. Masica, Regional Director 

Intermountain Region 

Appendix G-11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Coordination Letter from Other Federal Agency 

United States Department of the Interior 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

Utah State Office 

440 West 200 South, Suite 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1345 

http://www.blm.gov/ ut/st/ en.html 

[MAY O 2 2014] 

IN REPLY REFER TO: 

6400/(UT-934) 

Memorandum 

To: Intermountain Regional Director, National Park Service, P. 0. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 

80225 

From: State Director /s/ Juan Palma 

Subject: Virgin Wild and Scenic River Boundary Description Responsibilities 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah would like to sincerely thank the National Park Service 

(NPS) for all of your collaborative efforts that have led to the successful completion of the Virgin River 

Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, which was in conformance with the 

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act for designated river segments on both Zion National Park and BLM lands in 

Washington County, Utah. This memorandum is to confirm that both of our agencies are in agreement on 

the next steps related to mapping and describing the boundaries of the Virgin River's designated Wild and 

Scenic River segments. 

In accordance with Section 3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the NPS has agreed to serve as the 

lead agency in preparing the statutorily-required Federal Register notice which will identify the 

designated river segments' boundaries and classifications, as well as notify the public of the availability of 

the final comprehensive management plan. Once these materials have been forwarded to Congress, the 

BLM understands that the NPS' responsibilities related to mapping the Wild and Scenic River segments 

of the Virgin River will be fulfilled. 

In accordance with national BLM policies outlined in BLM Manual 6120 regarding Congressionally 

Required Maps and Legal Boundary Descriptions/or National Conservation Landscape System 

Designations, the BLM is also required to develop maps and official legal boundary description s for the 

BLM segments of the designated Wild and Scenic River . The se maps and legal descriptions must be 

based on on-the-ground surveys and approved by BLM Utah ' s Chief Cadastral Surveyor. In order to 

ensure that both agencies complete our statutorily-required boundary descriptions in a timely manner, 

BLM Utah w ill prepare the maps and legal boundary descriptions specific to the BLM segments of the 

Virgin River and forward them to Congress as an amended submittal at a later date. 

Again, thank you for the NPS' leadership in preparing the Virgin River Comprehensive Management 

Plan. If you have any further questions, please contact BLM Utah's National Conservation Lands 

Coordinator Bunny Sterin at 801-539-4053 or bsterin@blm.gov. 

cc: Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767 

Mr. Jimmy Tyree, Field Manager, BLM St. George Field Office 

Appendix G-12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX H: EXAMPLE OF COURT DECREE FOR A WATER 

RIGHT 

District Court, Water Division 1, State of Colorado Case No. 86CW367 

REVISED FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECREE 

CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR 

RESERVED WATER RIGHTS FOR THE CACHE LA POUDRE WILD AND SCENIC 

RIVER IN LARIMER COUNTY (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND 

ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST) 

This matter comes before the court for entry o f the revised Findings of Fact, Conclusion of 

Law and Decree, the parties having consented thereto. The court, having examined the 

records and files herein, and being now fully and sufficiently advised in the premises, 

hereby makes the following revised Findings of Fact, conclusions of Law and Decree: 

MIXED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OFLAW 

1. On October 30, 1986 Congress designated the Cache la Poudre River as a component 

of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Pub. L. 99-590, 100 Stat. 3330, 16 U.S.C 

§ 1274(a) (57) (1988). The reaches of the Cache la Poudre so designated are as 

follows: 

A. Beginning at Poudre Lake downstream to the confluence of Joe Wright Creek, as 

a wild river. This segment to be designated the "Peter H. Dominick Wild River 

Area". 

B. Downstream from the confluence of Joe Wright Creek to a point where the 

river intersects the easterly north- south line of the west half southwest quarter 

of section1, township 8 north, range 71 west of the sixthprincipal meridian, 

as a recreational river. 

C. South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River from its source to the Commanche 

Peak Wilderness Boundary, approximately four miles, as a wild river. 

D. Beginning at the Commanche Peak Wilderness Boundary to a point on the 

South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River in section 1, township 7 north, range 

73 west of the sixth principal meridian, at elevation 8050 mean sea level, as a 

recreational river. 

E. South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River from its intersection with the 

easterly section line of section 30, township 8 north, range 72 west of the 

sixth principal meridian, to confluence of the main stem of the Cache la 

Poudre River as a wildriver. 

16 U.S.C. § 1274(a) (57)(1988). 

2. The amount of water reserved is all of the native water arising upon or flowing through 

the designated segments of the Cache la Poudre River, subject to valid prior 

appropriations under Colorado law. These reserved right shall apply only to native water 

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of the designated wild and scenic river segments and shall not include, or in any way 

limit, either the amount or pattern of flow or releases of trans-basin diverted or foreign 

waters, meaning those waters imported into the Poudre River basin from the Grand 

(Colorado), Michigan, and/or Laramie River basins, or of native water diverted or stored 

pursuant to valid prior appropriations as defined herein. 

3. Valid prior appropriations are defined as absolute and conditional decreed water 

rights, including decreed exchanges and decreed augmentation plans, decreed as of 

and with a priority date senior to October 30, 1986. 

4. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides that: The jurisdiction of the States over 

waters of any stream included in a national wild, scenic or recreational river area 

shall be unaffected by this chapter to the extent that such jurisdiction may be 

exercised without impairing the purposes of this chapter or its administration. 

16 U.S.C. § 1284(d) (1988). 

Accordingly, the State of Colorado may continue to exercise its jurisdiction over the 

designated reaches of the Cache la Poudre River, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 1284 (1988). 

1. Section 102 of Public Law 99-590, 100 Stat. 3330 provides that: 

Inclusion of the designated portions of the Cache la Poudre River and the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers System under section 101 of this title shall not: interfere with the exercise 

of existing decreed water rights to water which has heretofore been stored or diverted by 

means of the present capacity of storage, conveyance, or diversion structures that exist as 

of the date of enactment of this title, or operation and maintenance of such structures. Nor 

shall inclusion of the designated portions of the Cache la Poudre River in the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers System be utilized in any Federal proceeding, whether concerning a 

license, permit, right-of-way, or other Federal action, as a reason or basis to prohibit the 

development or operation of any water impoundments, diversion facilities, and 

hydroelectric power and transmission facilities below Poudre Park located entirely 

downstream from and potentially affecting designated portions of the Cache la Poudre 

River, or relocation of highway 14 to any point east of the north-south half section line of 

section 2, township 8 north, range 71 west of the sixth principal meridian, as necessary to 

provide access to Poudre Park around such facilities: Provided, That due consideration 

shall be given to reasonable measures for minimizing the impact of such facilities and 

road relocation on the designated segments. Congress finds that development of water 

impoundments, diversion facilities, and hydroelectric power and transmission facilities 

located entirely downstream from the designated portions of the Cache la Poudre River 

below Poudre Park, in accordance with the provisions of this section, is not incompatible 

with the designation of portions of the Cache la Poudre River in the Wild and Scenic 

Rivers System under section 101 of this title. The reservation of water established by the 

inclusion of portions of the Cache la Poudre River in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System 

shall be subject to the provisions of this title, shall be adjudicated in Colorado Water 

Court, and shall have a priority date as of the date of enactment of this title. 

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Accordingly, nothing contained in this Decree is intended to alter the provisions of section 

102. 

2. The United States filed its application for adjudication of its reserved rights for the 

Cache la Poudre Wild and Scenic River on December 30, 1986. 

3. The following parties filed timely Statements of Opposition: 

o Cache la Poudre Water Users Association 

o City of Greeley 

o City of Fort Collins 

o Colorado Water Conservation Board 

o Excalibur Resources Company 

o Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District 

o St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District 

o City of Thornton 

o Tunnel Water Company 

o Water Supply and Storage Company 

4. All notices required by law for filing and publication of the application in the Resume 

of Water Division No. l have been fulfilled and the court has jurisdiction over the 

subject matter and all parties who may be affected by this decree whether or not they 

have appeared. 

5. The United States has demonstrated its entitlement to this Decree as a matter of law. 

DECREE - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED: 

1. The name, address and telephone number of theclaimant: 

United States of America c/o Department of Justice 

Environment and Natural Resources Division 

999 18th Street, Suite 945, Denver, CO 80202 

(303) 294-1900 

2. The Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law contained herein are incorporated by 

reference and made a part of this Decree. 

3. The United States is entitled to reserved water rights with a priority date of October 

30, 1986 in the following reaches and tributaries of the Cache la Poudre River: 

A. Beginning at Poudre Lake, Latitude/Longitude 40° 25' 11" N, 105° 48.' 38" W, 

southwest quarter of southwest quarter of section 4, township 5 north, range 75 

west of the sixth principal meridian, downstream to the confluence of Joe 

Wright Creek, Latitude/Longitude 40° 38’ 14" N, 105° 48' 14" W, northeast 

quarter of section 28, township 8 north, range 75 west, as a wild river. This 

segment to be designated the "Peter H. Dominick Wild River Area". 

B. Downstream from the confluence of Joe Wright Creek to a point where the 

river intersects the easterly north- south line of the west half of southwest 

quarter ofsection 1, township 8 north, range 71 west of the sixth principal 

meridian, as a recreational river. 

C. South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River from its source, Latitude/Longitude 

40° 29' 34" N, 105° 38' 40" W, northwest quarter of section 13, township 6 

north, range 74 west, to the Commanche Peak Wilderness Boundary, 

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southwest quarter of northwest quarter of section 29, township 7 north, range 

73 west, approximately four miles, as a wild river. 

D. Beginning at the Commanche Peak Wilderness Boundary to a point on the 

South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River in section 1, township 7 north, range 

73 west of the sixth principal meridian, at elevation 8050 mean sea level, 

southwest quarter of northwest quarter of section 1, township 7 north, range 

73 west, as a recreationalriver. 

E. South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River from its intersection with the 

easterly section line of section 30, township 8 north, range 72 west of the 

sixth principal meridian, southeast quarter of northeast quarter of section 30, 

township 8 north, range 72 west, to confluence of the main stem of the Cache 

la Poudre River, northwest quarter of southeast quarter of section 3, township 

8 north, range 72 west, as a wildriver. 

Legal descriptions have been projected in unsurveyed areas. 

4. The amount of water reserved is all of the native water arising upon or flowing 

through the designated segments of the Cache la Poudre River, subject to valid prior 

appropriations under Colorado law. These reserved rights shall apply only to native 

water of the designated wild and scenic river segments and shall not include, or in 

any way limit, either the amount or pattern of flow or releases of trans-basin diverted 

or foreign waters, meaning those waters imported into the Poudre River basin from 

the Grand (Colorado), Michigan, and/or Laramie River basins, or of native water 

diverted or stored pursuant to valid prior appropriations as defined herein. 

5. Valid prior appropriations are defined as absolute and conditional decreed water 

rights, including decreed exchanges and decreed augmentation plans, decreed as of 

and with a priority date senior to October 30,1986. 

6. The State of Colorado may continue to exercise its jurisdiction over the designated 

reaches of the Cache la Poudre River, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 1284(1988). 

7. The provisionsof §§ 101 and 102 of TitleI, Public Law99- 590,100Stat.3330,are 

incorporated by reference and made a part of thisDecree. 

8. This Decree was entered pursuant to agreement of the parties, the issues decided 

herein have not been litigated between the parties, and therefore, as a result of this 

Decree, the parties shall not be collaterally estopped from assertingany factual or 

legal issues in any other cases except as precluded by the terms of this Decree. 

DATED this [stamped] MAR 17 1993 day of 1993. 

[signed] Raymond S. Liesman, Water Referee, Water Division No. 1 

THE COURT FINDS: NO PROTEST WAS FILED IN THIS MATTER. 

THE FOREGOING RULING IS CONFIRMED AND APPROVED, AND IS HEREBY MADE 

THE JUDGMENT AND DECREE OF THIS COURT. 

DATED this [stamped] APR 13 1993 day of 1993. 

[signed] Robert A. Behrman, Water Judge, Water Division No. 1, State of Colorado 

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APPENDIX I: EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTICES AND REQUIRED 

MEASURES FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, REMOVAL AND/OR 

REPLACEMENT 

Best practices for bridge removal, replacement, refurbishing, or new construction depend on the project 

scope (area of impact, including staging areas), project timing and duration, and WSR values that may be 

affected. However, there are a number of commonly used best practices that can be implemented to avoid, 

eliminate, reduce, or minimize impacts to WSR values and render a “will not have a direct and adverse 

impact” finding. (See Chapter 3, Understanding and Implementing Section 7). 

The Section 7 determining agency may reasonably request, and project proponents are responsible to 

provide, sufficient information to inform a well-reasoned and technically supported determination. At a 

minimum. project proposals should include the project start date, construction sequencing/phases, bridge 

dimensions, number of piers, location of staging areas, design features (decking; abutments/materials; rail 

design; lighting; signage), hydrological and hydraulic data, as well as proposed measures to avoid or 

minimize harm. It is strongly encouraged that resource advisors or environmental inspectors who are 

familiar with the WSR values and all required avoidance and minimization measures attend preconstruction meetings and are on-site during construction. Consistent practice with respect to similar 

projects across regions not only strengthens the effectiveness of determinations in protecting and 

enhancing WSR values, but also provides clear and reasonable guidance for project proponents. 

Examples of best practices and required measures are provided below for each phase of the project. River 

managers may incorporate best practices into Section 7 determinations, as appropriate, for bridge 

construction, removal, and/or replacement projects. However, required measures are those measures that 

are necessary for proper evaluation of the proposed project. 

1. Project Coordination 

Best Practices 

Project Coordination is a critical component of a successful Section 7 determination process. Interagency 

coordination should occur early, and then as necessary throughout the process, to ensure WSRA 

compliance and avoid last minute changes or project delays. 

It may also be necessary to recruit a representative partner at meetings that the NPS is not able to attend. 

Often a fellow DOI Agency with mutual interest in the project (ex. USFWS) or a state river manager, 

(e.g., DNR) in the case of a 2(a)(ii) river. 

For complex projects or those that could have significant impacts, consider establishing an 

interdisciplinary team or request technical assistance from the appropriate regional and/or national 

support office (e.g. engineering specialists; hydrologists in the NPS Water Resources Division, geologists 

in the NPS Geologic Resources Division). 

Conducting interdisciplinary on-site planning meetings and project reviews with project planners and 

equipment operators is strongly recommended to ensure all parties involved have a complete 

understanding of the project requirements, definitions and conditions. 

It is often helpful to request that the project proponent provide copies of engineering plans and 

specifications following the completion of each major design phase (eg., 30%, 60%, 90% of project 

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completion). While a preliminary Section 7 determination may be made based on conceptual plans, the 

final Section 7 evaluation and determination should be based on a review of engineering plans that are 

nearly (at least 60%, but preferably 90%) complete. 

Section 7 determinations should recite required measures and additional provisions that must be met to 

satisfy the determination, including language that requires the completed project to be consistent with the 

project plans evaluated on a specific date and identified with a specific title so that there is no ambiguity 

or misunderstanding. It may also be helpful to seek inclusion of similar language in engineering plans 

(eg., in the general or construction notes sections) or supplemental specifications, as well as in any other 

required permits such as USACE Section 404 permits. Such inclusion ensures that the contractor submits 

bids and performs construction with full understanding of, and compliance with, the required measures. 

Required Measures 

• The project proponent must provide NPS with an approved and complete project plan set, 

including any appropriate special provisions or supplemental specifications, along with all design 

and engineering plans. 

• NPS must be notified of any proposed changes to the project package originally submitted for 

evaluation, such as the plan set, special provisions, construction methods, or schedule for 

instream work. Any such changes require consultation with NPS before the work proceeds, and 

may require additional Section 7 review and approval. The project proponent may be required to 

undo or change any construction that was not part of the approved package. 

• NPS must be notified and invited to all pre- and post-construction agency coordination meetings, 

including final site inspections. 

• NPS must perform project plan reviews, comment on preliminary project construction plans, and 

monitor on-site construction activities. Site visits and on-site construction reviews are required to 

identify maintenance needs and chronic problems that may be occurring. 

• Remedial actions must be implemented in a timely manner. 

• A pre-construction meeting with equipment operators must be held prior to project 

commencement to discuss project requirements. 

• NPS must be promptly notified of accidents and/or failures of project features intended to protect 

the free-flowing condition, water quality, or ORVs during construction activities. 

• The project proponent must submit a post construction report to the NPS within 90 days of 

project completion. The report should include a set of before and after pictures along with a 

written summary of the project, any complications or challenges, and any solutions or deviations 

to plans. 

• The NPS must complete a post-construction follow up and completion report in a timely manner. 

Any practice failures will be remedied at this time. There is a performance warranty period of 2-5 

years after the completion of the project. 

• NPS must provide the project proponent with a formal approval or denial of the project. An 

example of the language to include is as follows: 

“The National Park Service has determined on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, pursuant to 

Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, that the proposed project would not have a direct 

and adverse effect on the free-flowing condition, water quality or outstandingly remarkable 

values of the [insert WSR name], provided that the project is constructed consistent with the 

[insert project proponent name] plans entitled [insert project title] dated [insert date], and that the 

avoidance and minimization measures and actions cited below are fully and properly fulfilled, for 

the duration of the project [insert list of avoidance and minimization measures and conditions].” 

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2. Preconstruction Studies 

Best Practices 

It is often necessary and appropriate for NPS to request additional information in the form of preconstruction studies, (e.g., geotechnical, biological, or recreational studies, etc.). It is the responsibility of 

the project proponent to provide the necessary data for the evaluating agency to make an informed 

determination. 

Baseline inventories of ORVs and aquatic and terrestrial resources will better inform the project planning 

and design process. 

For areas supporting federally or state listed species, informal and/or formal consultation with the 

USFWS and/or state resource management agencies may be necessary. 

Required Measures 

• Appropriate biological inventories of aquatic (e.g. fish, mussels) and terrestrial resources may be 

required prior to project startup. Avoidance measures must be developed in consultation with the 

NPS. Cultural resources inventories may also be required in order to comply with Section 106 of 

the National Historic Preservation Act. 

• Relocation of mussel species is required where in-stream work cannot be avoided within reaches 

of known mussel populations. USFWS and/or state resource agencies must be consulted to 

ensure any established mussel relocation protocols are followed. 

• Appropriate geotechnical, hydraulic, visual resource, and auditory, other project-specific resource 

studies may be required prior to project start. Avoidance measures must be developed in 

consultation with the NPS. 

• Appropriate hydrologic/hydraulic information (including scour depth analysis) may be required to 

accompany or be included in all design and engineering plans for the project. 

3. Notification to River Users 

Best Practices 

Instream work can pose a safety hazard to river users. It is important to warn the recreating public of any 

temporary hazards associated with the construction activity and provide instruction on how to safely 

avoid an unsafe situation. 

Required Measures 

• Boating (canoe/kayak or other) shall be safely maintained throughout the duration of the project 

either through the existing river channel or through a temporary portage trail. The trail should be 

approved by NPS and other agencies as necessary. Construction during peak recreational season 

must be avoided unless otherwise authorized in writing by the NPS and/or other recreation 

agency. Avoidance measures must be developed in consultation with the NPS. 

• Press releases shall be issued to local media prior to project implementation and signs must be 

provided to recreational river users and canoe livery operators, advising users of closures and/or 

portage routes and their effective dates. 

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• A portage route must be maintained around the site during construction and removed, (and the 

site restored to its original condition) upon project completion. Any exceptions to this condition 

must be approved by the NPS and/or other recreation agency prior to project implementation or 

as may be necessary during project construction. Signage announcing the temporary portage will 

be removed at project completion. 

4. Erosion Control 

Best Practices 

Water quality management is delegated to state and local resource agencies. Erosion control often falls to 

local zoning, conservation commissions, and NPDES permits or Section 401 water quality certifications 

under the Clean Water Act. By coordinating with the appropriate agencies and including specific 

conditions about sediment erosion control, effective protections for riverine health can be implemented. 

Required Measures 

• An erosion and sediment control plan must be developed for the site and remain on site for the 

duration of the project. Particular attention shall be given to any drainage ways, ditches and 

streams that could convey sediment laden water directly to the [stream name]. Appropriately 

designed rock-check dams and other erosion controls shall be utilized in ditches and drainage 

ways. 

• A phased construction schedule must be utilized to minimize open areas and reduce the potential 

for erosion. Temporary vegetative cover must be used to stabilize areas that are not subject to 

active construction. Any exceptions to these conditions must be authorized by the NPS in 

writing or otherwise made part of this determination. 

• Appropriate sediment/storm water controls must be installed prior to grading or other land 

disturbing activities. 

• Properly installed (framed and entrenched) silt fence shall be properly installed around the work 

site perimeter and storm water inlets. 

• All erosion control devices shall be inspected daily and properly maintained until final site 

stabilization is achieved. Accumulated sediment shall be cleaned out of erosion control devices, 

and worn-out or deteriorated materials must be replaced on a regular basis. 

• All sediment and erosion controls shall be removed upon stabilization of the project area with 

vegetation. 

• Straw bales shall not be permitted as a form of erosion control. 

• All denuded areas, including ditches, culverts and river/stream banks, shall be permanently 

seeded [inset recommended or approved seed type/source] and mulched (or covered with fiber 

mat material) immediately upon completion of earthwork or temporarily seeded and mulched (or 

covered with fiber mat material) within seven days if the area is to remain idle for more than 

thirty days. 

5. Construction Equipment/Staging Areas/Work Site 

Best Practices 

A majority of impacts to the river that are attributed to construction activities can be avoided by 

maintaining a tidy site. Proactive site management minimizes the potential for unintended consequences. 

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Standard best practices include scheduling to avoid sensitive periods, biological monitoring, erosion and 

sediment control, and revegetation. 

Required Measures 

• Litter and construction debris shall be contained daily. Construction and/or worker generated 

debris/garbage must be contained on site in properly covered containers; daily clean up must be 

performed to prevent materials from entering the river. 

• All construction equipment must be inspected daily for hydraulic and fuel leaks, and repaired as 

necessary. When not in use, idle equipment, petrochemicals and toxic/hazardous materials shall 

be locked and may not be stored in the 100-year floodplain or near any drainage ways, ditches or 

streams; discharge of petroleum products, cement washings, or other construction materials into 

the river is not permitted. 

• All fueling operations, lubricating, hydraulic topping off, fuel tank purging, and equipment 

maintenance/repairs shall be performed at an upland site outside of the one-hundred-year 

floodplain. These activities shall take place on an approved pad with spill control/collection 

devices in place. The use of canola oil or other biodegradable fuels and fluids is recommended 

when working in sensitive riverine environments. 

• Appropriate oil spill kits shall be maintained on site and readily accessible at all times during 

construction and each operator trained in its use. 

• No wastewater shall be discharged into the river. 

• Prior to moving construction equipment into the project area, the contractor must take reasonable 

measures to ensure that each piece of equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other 

debris that may contain seeds of non-native invasive species (consider including aquatic if 

equipment will be used in-stream). 

• All tools, equipment, barricades, signs, surplus materials, and rubbish from the project work 

limits shall be removed upon project completion. All construction debris and litter must be 

completely removed off site and disposed of properly upon completion of the project. 

• All debris, excess fill material and material excavated shall be disposed of at an approved upland 

location (above 100-year flood elevations). Disposal in wetlands, floodplains or within 1000 feet 

of the [insert river name] is prohibited. 

6. Bridge Rehabilitation/Restoration/Removal 

Best Practices 

The goal should be to minimize the number of piers in the river to enhance fish, wildlife, and recreational 

user passage. Pier designs that incorporate or mimic the surrounding landscape will decrease the visual 

impact of the structure. 

Location and timing of construction activities are important and streams should be crossed at the point 

and time least damaging to fishery and aquatic organisms and generally at right angles. 

Rural broadband cables can be problematic if placed below the OHWM. Cables can be screwed (using 3⁄4” 

screws) to the underside of a bridge crossing or other existing river spanning infrastructure to lessen the 

scenic impact and eliminate the need for trenching the cable under the river. 

Required Measures 

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• If painting, sand or water blasting any portion of the bridge is necessary, appropriate aprons shall 

be utilized to provide for complete containment of all paint, and/or sealant over-spray particles 

and other debris during bridge removal, installation, or maintenance operations. 

• Fire retardant, termiticide and insecticide/fungicide shall be applied to new and reused wooden 

bridge members outside of surface waters or wetlands. 

• Aprons, tarps, shrouds, and/or other containment devices must be in place during bridge 

demolition, bridge maintenance, bridge construction and/or bridge surfacing activities to capture 

falling debris, paints, welding slag, sealant overspray, asphalt deck materials, or other debris. All 

concrete chunks, asphalt, grindings, concrete materials, wood, rebar, and other debris generated 

during demolition or construction that enters the river shall be immediately removed and taken to 

an appropriate disposal facility outside of the floodplain. 

• All concrete chunks, asphalt, grindings, concrete materials, wood, rebar, and other debris 

generated during demolition or construction that enters the river must be immediately removed 

from the river and taken to an appropriate disposal facility outside of the floodplain. 

• The old bridge, abutments, pier(s) and foundation must be removed entirely [or cut to X feet 

below the river bed surface] and river bed/features restored to preconstruction condition. No 

rebar or other structural remnants that pose a danger to paddlers and other river users shall 

remain. 

• Replacement bridges that are designed to span the river (no piers in the water) are preferred. At 

minimum, replacement bridge design shall result in the elimination or reduction of instream piers 

with no net addition of piers. 

• No net gain of transportation corridors is required unless otherwise agreed to in writing. All 

approaches, abutments must be returned to preconstruction condition. Bed, banks, corridor and 

corridor must be restored and no net loss of floodplain is required unless otherwise agreed to in 

writing. 

7. Work Pad/Causeway/Culverts 

Best Practices 

It is important to maintain a river’s hydraulic capacity and geomorphology throughout the project area. 

Work pads, causeways, and culverts should not overly constrict the flow of the river. 

Required Measures 

• One to two temporary causeways/work pads may be used provided they do not occupy more 

than one-half the river channel at any given time. The use of barges or docks is preferred if 

conditions allow. Temporary causeways/work pads must be completely removed in a timely 

manner, and natural channel conditions must be fully restored. 

• Work platforms (causeways; work pad) shall be kept to the absolute minimum size needed to 

facilitate in-stream work. In-stream work shall be conducted through the use of water diversions 

made of clean/rinsed quarried stone of appropriate size and not requiring the placement of 

earthen fill (sheet piling, membrane dams, etc.) wherever possible. Additional requirements 

include: 

o Causeway(s) must be placed on top of an appropriate number of open culverts of sufficient 

diameter and numbers to pass a sufficient flow to handle minor storm events. A [insert X 

minimum diameter opening] is required. 

o Culverts must be designed to allow fish passage and must be orientated parallel to normal 

stream flow. 

o Culverts must not pose a safety hazard to river users. 

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o Culverts must provide for a natural streambed under the structure, either by using a 

bottomless structure or by recessing the culvert bottom below the stream bottom a sufficient 

depth into the stream bed to avoid disrupting fish passage and to maintain natural flow and 

other river functions. 

o Culverts devices must be clear of debris and fully functioning throughout the duration of the 

project. 

o The causeway must be removed prior to [date of average high flow period or critical fish 

migration period]. 

o The riverbed underneath the causeway must be returned to its pre-construction contours, 

elevations, and substrate sizes and types. 

o All motorized equipment operations must be conducted from the causeway; machinery is 

not permitted to operate from within the riverbed. 

• Work area isolation (sheet piling, bladder bags, solid barriers or coffer dams) must be 

implemented prior to any streambed excavation unless it can be demonstrated that work area 

isolation will cause more resource harm then the excavation activity. 

• Existing in-stream flows must be maintained through the causeway(s) using culverts sized to pass 

a flow equal to 150 percent of existing flow to account for minor storm events. No more than 

[insert amount based on stream conditions] cubic yards of clean, non-erosive rock material may 

be used to construct the causeway. This rock material must be free of any fines, clay or silts and 

of sufficient size to prevent movement downstream. 

• All appropriate measures must be in place to minimize sedimentation and streambed impacts 

prior to initiating in-stream work. All in-stream work must be kept to a minimum and be 

conducted between the low flow/low precipitation periods for the area [insert date range]. Instream construction work may not be conducted when flows are greater than a 1-year flow or if 

excessive turbidity is observed. 

• Concrete, broken concrete (with or without rebar), asphalt, slag, or other such material for the 

causeways, abutments or piers is prohibited. 

• Commercial rip-rap should be avoided or otherwise kept to the absolute minimum amount needed 

to prevent scour and shall consist of clean rock only (free of any toxic or fine material). Native 

field stone from the area should be used whenever possible. All fill material used as rip-rap, 

work platforms or cofferdams shall be a minimum of three inches in diameter and be washed to 

remove fine particulate matter (clay, silt, sand and soil). 

• Rip rap and stone fill shall conform to specifications as set forth in [insert reference to 

appropriate federal/state standard specifications; include section number], and shall only be used 

as scour protection around abutments/piers, not to armor the river channel. 

• The causeway culverts and temporary rock pads must be completely removed to channel bottom 

immediately upon completion of in-stream work and disposed of at an appropriate upland site out 

of the 100-year flood plain and out of view from the river. To minimize soil compaction and 

turbidity, culverts and causeway rock may not be removed during rain events. 

8. Abutments/Piers (bridges that span the rivers are preferred) 

Best Practices 

Bridges that span the river channel without the use of piers better maintain a river’s hydraulic capacity 

and geomorphology, and are the preferred approach. 

If in-stream piers are proposed, a net reduction of in-channel piers is preferred and, at minimum, the 

project should not further disrupt the free-flowing condition of the designated river as existed prior to the 

project implementation. 

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Required Measures 

• Concrete, broken concrete, slag, or other such material for protection of abutments or piers is 

prohibited. 

• No more than [insert maximum limit] cubic yards of rock channel protection (RCP) may be 

placed within the river below the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) elevation to protect the 

new abutments and minimize scour. If rock riprap is necessary, the rock must be of a similar 

size, shape, and color as that found in the immediate area of the project where feasible to 

minimize visual impacts. 

• Piers must be orientated in a manner that will reduce restrictions on the existing river flow 

(discharge, direction, velocity) and not significantly alter flows or the location of the thalweg. 

• Channel modifications associated with pier and/or abutment must be avoided and the stream 

banks/bed must be returned to pre-construction elevations and contours using the existing natural 

substrate such that the amount or timing of the flow in the channel are not significantly altered 

from pre-construction condition and the thalweg alignment upstream/downstream of the bridge 

is maintained. 

• The width of the streambed must not be altered (see Section 3.2.6 Stream Channel Stabilization 

and Restoration). 

• Rock weirs or other such diversions may not be established. 

• If dewatering is necessary, downstream flows must be maintained. Pumps or flume diversions 

may be necessary to prevent interruption of downstream flow. Water must be filtered to remove 

excessive sediments (must meet state discharge guidelines) and must be discharged onto an 

energy-dissipating device (e.g. splash pup, concrete weight, or equivalent) to reduce discharge 

velocity/prevent scouring of the riverbed or adjacent banks. 

• Sediment control measures (e.g. sandbags, aqua-barriers, or other coffer dam structures) must be 

in place to prevent a release of turbid water into downstream areas. 

• Fish or mussels trapped in the dewatered area must be appropriately collected and properly 

relocated to a downstream section of the river that will promote their safe recovery. Fish/mussel 

capture/release must be conducted by a designated/qualified individual (on-site biological 

monitoring staff). Emergency capture/release of fish/mussels may be conducted by any on site 

staff if the situation warrants it. 

9. Bank Protection 

Best Practices 

The use of native boulders and cobbles along with native planting and bioengineering will best achieve 

the desired natural appearing and functioning river bank after construction is complete. 

Required Measures 

• Minimize the use and visibility of rock channel protection (RCP), and use only the minimum 

amount necessary to protect structures. Integrated plantings, soil, and native seed may be used 

to further reduce the profile of visible rock. 

• If necessary, stone fill (riprap) may only be used for abutment scour protection; the use of stone 

fill to stabilize the riverbanks is prohibited. To stabilize the riverbanks, use approved native 

boulders, cobble and gravel; loam; vegetation; and bio-engineering techniques such that the 

banks, when fully restored, have an appearance and function similar to the natural riverbank. 

• Riparian areas must be restored to pre-disturbance conditions immediately after construction 

activities are completed. 

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• Disturbed/exposed banks, staging and project access areas must be properly stabilized (seeded, 

mulched, or otherwise) with native vegetation to prevent erosion and establishment of invasive 

plant species. A non-persistent cover crop of annual rye or equivalent temporary seeding may be 

used to ensure a more rapid establishment of cover while native perennial plantings grow. 

• Bio-engineering methods must be used or, where deemed necessary by the [insert river 

managing agency/contact], clean broken rock rip rap of an adequate size for the specific for bank 

stabilization 

• The use of demolition debris for slope armoring is not allowed. 

10. Vegetative Plantings/Tree Removal/Tree Replacement 

Best Practices 

Trees that are preserved in the project work area will help to maintain bank stability and riverine 

aesthetics. 

Required Measures 

• Avoid unnecessary tree removal within the project work area. 

• A vegetation plan shall be in place to protect existing vegetation/trees from damage by 

construction equipment (e.g. provide temporary barriers to protect existing trees, plants, root 

zone). 

• Disturbances of the riparian zone must be limited to the indicated access points; prior to the 

operation of heavy equipment (dozers, cranes, trucks), orange construction fencing must be 

erected to delineate the dripline of remaining trees to avoid compaction of tree roots. 

• The fastening of ropes, cables, or fencing to trees is prohibited. 

• To ensure bank stability, trees removed within fifteen feet of the top of the river bank shall be 

cut flush to the ground; stumps and roots shall be left in place; indiscriminate bulldozing of 

riparian trees is prohibited. 

• All trees removed from the riparian corridor shall be replaced with a native tree of like species. 

Replace each mature tree removed (12-inch or greater diameter at breast height [DBH]) with 

[insert specifications, e.g. replant 3:1 ratio depending on expected survival rate and with trees 

that are a minimum 3-inches DBH]. Plant only local, native trees/shrubs/grasses, naturally 

occurring within the [insert river name] riparian zone [insert plant species list and/or to be 

determined in coordination with appropriate staff]. 

• A qualified individual (arborists, foresters, or trained staff with similar experience) shall plant 

replacement trees at the appropriate time of year and in a random fashion to avoid a plantation 

effect. Cultivate and monitor planted tree seedlings/saplings for two years to ensure success; 

water plantings as necessary. Promptly replace planted stock showing signs of mortality. 

• Stakes and guide wires shall be properly remove and dispose of once seedlings are established. 

11. Archeological/Cultural Resources 

Best Practices 

Engage the Section 106 process at the earliest stages (i.e., planning), ensuring identification of historic 

properties (including archeological sites) has been completed within the area of potential project 

effects. See Appendix K: Section 7 Coordination – National Historic Preservation Act for more 

information about coordinating the Section 106 and Section 7 review processes. 

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Incorporate efforts to protect known/unknown archeological resources in the area into the planning 

process. Coordinate with the SHPO and THPO. 

Required Measures 

• Should previously unknown archeological materials be discovered during land clearing 

activities, consult and coordinate with the SHPO and THPO before work resumes. Properly 

document results of consultation and additional practices that need to be implemented. 

12. Bridge Design Criteria (scenic/visual/recreation considerations) 

Best Practices 

Bridge designs can incorporate natural thematic approaches to the shape, color, and features to lessen the 

impact on wildlife, recreation, and scenery. 

Request a bridge design that is visually appealing and does not break the horizon. Consider the form, 

line, color, textures and other features so the bridge blends in with the existing environment. 

Pay attention to the scenic and cultural ORVs, including the viewshed and cultural landscape when 

considering bridge placement and design. Contact the NPS Visual Resources Program for technical 

assistance to systematically identify scenic values and assess potential project impacts. Good baseline 

information and a systematic robust approach is essential when evaluating the potential impacts of 

proposed development projects and making Section 7 determinations about effects on scenic ORVs. 

Conducting a design charrette and reviewing artist renderings or computer generated schematics of the 

bridge design/options can be helpful, particularly for projects that may have an impact to scenic and 

recreational values. 

Where possible, seek opportunities to provide recreational access to the river at road-stream crossings. 

Consider requesting construction of new river access, or improvements to existing river access for 

paddlers and other recreational river users, particularly as part of a Section 4(f) requirement under the 

Department of Transportation Act. 

Required Measures 

• Incorporate design elements (forms, lines, colors, textures) into bridge guardrails, 

piers/abutments, and girders. 

o Use tinted concrete and girder paint colors to blend in with the scenic nature of the river 

corridor. 

o Use low-profile design features, such as keeping the structure below tree line and earth-tone 

tinted cements for abutments and guardrails, to minimize visual impacts. 

o Use reactive galvanized color treatment or “weathering” steel to visually soften the railings 

for a park-like appearance. 

• Include storm water conveyances (gutters or drains) in bridge design specifications to intercept, 

collect and redirect bridge deck runoff (including suspended solids, salts, fluids, oils and grease, 

asbestos, heavy metals, etc.) away from the river. 

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13. Embedded culverts (stream-simulation) 

Best Practices 

Culverts are sometimes used instead of bridges to span smaller streams when they cost less to engineer or 

construct. Culverts can be fully enclosed or have open bottoms. Open bottom structures are the preferred 

option when there is a need to provide for aquatic organism passage (AOP). 

If it is not possible to use an open bottom structure containing native substrate, the culvert should be 

partially embedded and contain a well graded mix of bed materials that simulate natural stream conditions 

and allow for aquatic organism passage. A minimum embedment depth of two feet is generally 

recommended. Continuous irregular banklines of large rock may be built within the structure to provide 

dry passage for terrestrial animals and low velocity areas for aquatic organisms. 

In newly constructed streambeds, there is an increased risk of bed failure during high flow events until 

hydraulic forces from moderate flows sort, structure and consolidate the new bed. This risk can be 

reduced by compacting the bed materials in layers, increasing the particle size distribution, incorporating 

steps and key features (e.g., boulders), or adding additional material (up to 20 percent) to compensate for 

initial bed erosion and consolidation. 

There is also a risk in newly constructed streambeds of excessive streambed permeability and loss of 

surface flow during low flow conditions. This risk can be reduced by using a well graded mix of bed 

materials that incudes enough clay, silt and sand to fill voids, and by washing the fines into each layer. 

Mechanical compaction is not recommended for beds containing particles larger than cobbles due to 

increased risk of damaging the culvert; compaction should instead be achieved by washing the fines into 

the bed. If necessary, the risk of culvert damage can be reduced by placing a layer of sand on the bottom 

of structure prior to installing the streambed mix. 

Required Measures 

• A minimum of two feet of bed materials shall be placed within the culvert. 

o The mix of bed materials should be based on the subsurface particle-size distribution of an 

undisturbed up- or downstream reference reach with similar characteristics. 

o The mix of bed materials should be well graded (consisting of a wide range of particle 

sizes) and include enough particles less than 2 millimeters in diameter (clay, silt and sand) 

to fill voids between larger particles and reduce infiltration into the channel bed. 

o The particle size distribution may be modified to address various risk factors such as a 

steeper slope. 

• Up to [insert percentage based on stream conditions] percent additional bed material mix may 

be added to compensate for initial bed erosion and consolidation. 

• Segregation of bed materials shall be avoided during handling. 

• Bed materials shall be placed and compacted in layers by washing the fines into each layer to 

reduce initial infiltration rates. 

• Bed structures such as steps and key features may be incorporated to support the bed material 

mix until it is consolidated. 

The effects of high flows shall be monitored for [two] years or until bed structure develops, and any bed 

failures repaired in a timely manner. 

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14. Bridge Signage 

Best Practices 

Placing WSR signage at road-stream crossings provides useful geographic information (eg., the river 

name) and also identifies a river as part of the national system (NWSRS logo). The NPS National Wild 

and Scenic Rivers System Roadway Signage Specifications (October, 2017) are suitable for use on all 

NPS managed National Wild and Scenic Rivers. County or state engineer’s offices often have the tools to 

easily fabricate a sign in their own sign shop. 

Required Measures 

• State approved scenic, recreational, and cultural interest area signs shall be placed at both bridge 

approaches identifying the [insert river name] as a National Wild and Scenic River (e.g. river 

name and the Interagency WSR graphic logo). 

• Signage shall be consistent with NPS National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Roadway Signage 

Specifications (October, 2017). 

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APPENDIX J: WILD AND SCENIC RIVER – LIKE RIVER 

LEGISLATION 

This appendix summarizes the wild and scenic river (WSR)-like river legislation in national park 

units. A review of the enabling legislation was conducted to determine what purposes or 

resources (i.e., outstandingly remarkable values [ORVs]) Congress protected. In addition, the 

legislation was reviewed to determine if Congress mentioned preservation of free-flowing 

conditions, whether they included Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protection 

language and if exceptions to Section 7 language were included. The table below summarizes 

the results of this review. Pertinent quotes from enabling legislation follow the table, with 

emphasis added in bold to highlight wild and scenic-like standards and values. 

Park 

Unit Resource Values (ORVs) Free-Flow Section 7 Protection Exceptions to Section 7 

OZAR 

(1964) Scenic, Natural, and Historic Yes and Spring Preservation No None 

BUFF 

(1972) Scenic and Scientific Features Yes Yes None 

BISO 

(1974) 

Cultural, Historic, Geologic, Fish, 

Wildlife, Archeologic, Scenic, 

and Recreational 

Yes – Natural, 

Free-Flowing Yes None 

CHAT 

(1978) 

Preserve and Protect from 

Developments No Yes 

Water Supply; 

Water Quality; 

Lake Levels in Lake Lanier 

NERI 

(1978) 

Natural, Scenic, and Historic 

Values and Objects Yes Yes 

Coordinate with Army to 

Protect Biological Res. and 

Rec. Use 

GARI 

(1988) 

Scenic, Recreational, Geological, 

Fish and Wildlife No Yes Limits on Summersville Project 

LIRI 

(1992) 

Natural, Scenic, Recreational, and 

Cultural No Yes None 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Aug. 27, 1964) 

“purposes of conserving and interpreting unique scenic and other natural values and objects of 

historic interest, including the preservation of portions of the Current River and the Jacks Fork 

River in Missouri as free-flowing streams, preservation of springs and caves, management of 

wildlife, and provisions for use and enjoyment of the outdoor recreation resources...” 

“Such plans may provide for land use and development programs, for preservation and 

enhancement of the natural beauty of the landscape, and for conservation of outdoor resources in 

the watersheds of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers.” 

No Section 7-like language. 

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Buffalo National River (March 1, 1972) 

“purposes of conserving and interpreting an area containing unique scenic and scientific 

features, and preserving as a free-flowing stream” 

“The Federal Power Commission shall not license the construction of any dam, water conduit, 

reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project works under the Federal Power Act (41 

Stat. 1063), as amended (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.), on or directly affecting the Buffalo National 

River and no department or agency of the United States shall assist by loan, grant, license, or 

otherwise in the construction of any water resources project that would have a direct and adverse 

effect on the values for which such river is established, as determined by the Secretary. Nothing 

contained in the foregoing sentence, however, shall preclude licensing of, or assistance to, 

developments below or above the Buffalo National River or on any stream tributary thereto 

which will not invade the area or unreasonably diminish the scenic, recreational, and fish and 

wildlife values present in the area on the date of approval of this Act.” 

Sixty-day advance notice in writing to Congress if direct and adverse effects. 

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (March 7, 1974) 

“purposes of conserving and interpreting as area containing unique cultural, historic, geologic, 

fish and wildlife, archeologic, scenic, and recreational values, preserving as a natural, freeflowing stream the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, major portions of its Clear Fork 

and New River stems, and portions of their various tributaries for the benefit and enjoyment of 

present and future generations, the preservation of the natural integrity of the scenic gorges and 

valleys and the development of the area’s potential for healthful outdoor recreation.” 

“The Federal Power Commission shall not license the construction of any dam, water conduit, 

reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project works under the Federal Power Act (41 

Stat. 1063), as amended (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.), on or directly affecting the National Area and 

no department or agency of the United States shall assist by loan, grant, license, or otherwise in 

the construction of any water resources project that would have a direct and adverse effect on 

the values for which the National Area was established, as determined by the Secretary. Nothing 

contained in the foregoing sentence, however, shall preclude licensing of, or assistance to, 

developments below or above the National Area or on any stream tributary thereto which will 

not invade the National Area or on any stream tributary thereto which will not Invade National 

Area or unreasonably diminish the scenic, recreation, and fish and wildlife values present in the 

area on the date of approval of this Act.” 

Sixty-day advance notice in writing to Congress if direct and adverse effects. 

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (Aug. 15, 1978) 

“should be preserved and protected from developments and uses which would substantially 

impair or destroy them” 

“The Federal Power Commission shall not license the construction of any dam, water conduit, 

reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project works under the Federal Power Act (41 

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Stat. 1063), on or directly affecting the recreation area, and no department or agency of the US 

shall assist by loan, grant, license, or otherwise in the construction of any water resources project 

that would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which such river is established, 

except where such project is determined by the state of Georgia to be necessary for water supply 

or water quality enhancement purposes and authorized by the United States Congress. Nothing 

contained in the foregoing sentence, however, shall preclude licensing of, or assistance to, 

developments upstream or downstream from the recreation area or on any stream tributary 

thereto which will not invade the area or unreasonably diminish the scenic, recreational, and 

fish and wildlife values present in the area on the date of approval of this Act. Nothing 

contained in this subsection shall preclude the upgrading, improvement, and expansion or 

development of facilities or public works for water supply or water quality enhancement 

purposes if such action would not have a material adverse effect on the values for which the 

recreation area is established.” 

“It is not the intention of Congress by this Act to require the manipulation or reduction of 

lake water levels in Lake Sidney Lanier. Nothing in this Act shall be construed in any way 

to restrict, prohibit, or affect any recommendation of the Metropolitan Atlanta Water 

Resources Study as authorized by the Public Works Committee of the United States Senate 

on March 2, 1972. 

Sixty-day advance notice in writing to Congress if direct and adverse effects. 

New River Gorge National River (Nov. 10, 1978) 

“purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and 

objects in and around the New River Gorge and preserving as a free-flowing stream an important 

segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future 

generations.” 

“The Federal Power Commission shall not license the construction of any dam, water conduit, 

reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project works under the Federal Power Act (41 

Stat. 1063), as amended (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.), on or directly affecting the New River Gorge 

National River and no department or agency of the United States shall assist by loan, grant, 

license, or otherwise in the construction of any water resources project that would have a direct 

and adverse effect on the values for which such river is established, as determined by the 

Secretary. Nothing contained in the foregoing sentence, however, shall preclude licensing of, or 

assistance to, developments below or above the New River Gorge National River or on any 

stream tributary thereto which will not invade the area or unreasonably diminish the scenic, 

recreational, and fish and wildlife values present in the area on the date of this section.” 

Sixty-day advance notice in writing to Congress if direct and adverse effects. 

“The Secretary of the Army shall cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior concerning the 

water requirements of the national river. The Secretary of the Army shall provide for release of 

water from the Bluestone Lake project consistent with that project’s purposes and activities in 

sufficient quantity and in such manner to facilitate protection of biological resources and 

recreational use of the national river.” 

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Gauley River National Recreation Area (Oct. 26, 1988) 

“to protect and preserve the scenic, recreational, geological, and fish and wildlife resources of 

the Gauley River and its tributary, the Meadow River.” 

“APPLICATION OF OTHER PROVISIONS. – The provisions of section 7(a) of the Act of 

October 2, 1968 (16 U.S.C. 1278(a)), shall apply to the recreation area in the same manner and to 

the same extent as such provisions apply to the river segments referred to in such provisions.” 

Section 205(a) – “NEW PROJECT CONSTRUCTION. – If, after the enactment of this Act, any 

department, agency, instrumentality or person commences construction of any dam, water 

conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line or other project at or in conjunction with the 

Summersville project, the department, agency, instrumentality or other person which constructs 

or operates such new project shall comply with such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems 

necessary, in his discretion, to protect the resources of the recreation area, including such terms 

and conditions as the Secretary deems necessary to ensure that such new project will not 

adversely affect whitewater recreation and other recreation activities during or after project 

construction.” 

Section 205(b) – “ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE RECREATION AREA. – If any such new 

project referred to in subsection (a) will create a direct, physical, adverse effect on access to the 

recreation area immediately downstream of the Summersville Dam during or after project 

construction, including vehicle parking, related facilities, and river access for whitewater 

recreation and other recreational use of the recreation area, the department, agency, 

instrumentality or person constructing such project shall replace and enhance the adversely 

affected facilities in such manner as may be appropriates to accommodate visitation, as 

determined by the Secretary.” 

Section 205(c) – “NEW PROJECT PERMITS. – ...nothing in this Act shall prohibit the 

licensing of a project adjacent to Summersville Dam as proposed by the city of Summersville, or 

by any competing project applicant with a permit or license application on file as of August 8, 

1988, if such project complies with this section.” 

Little River Canyon National Preserve (Jan. 3, 1992) 

“to protect and preserve the natural, scenic, recreational, and cultural resources of the Little 

River Canyon area in DeKalb and Cherokee Counties, Alabama, and to provide for the 

protection and public enjoyment of the resources...” 

“WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS. – Subsection (a) of section 7 of the Wild and Scenic 

Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1278(a)) shall apply to the portion of Little River that flows through the 

Preserve in the same manner and to the same extent as such subsection applies to the rivers 

referred to in such subsection. The application of such subsection to the Preserve shall not 

affect any determination of the values of the lands, water, or interests in lands and waters within 

the boundaries of the Preserve.” 

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APPENDIX K: SECTION 7 COORDINATION – NATIONAL HISTORIC 

PRESERVATION ACT 

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, sets forth a national policy of 

historic preservation and encourages preservation at the state, local, and private levels (DO 28, 

Appendix B). The NHPA authorized and established key components of this national 

preservation policy, including the National Register of Historic Places, the Advisory Council on 

Historic Preservation, and State Historic Preservation Offices. The NHPA was amended to 

ensure the involvement of Native American (allowing for creation of Tribal Historic Preservation 

Offices) and Native Hawaiian interests. 

The NHPA can be regarded as a ‘process statute’ that sets up partnerships among the federal 

agencies, tribes, states (and Certified Local Governments), and the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (established by the act) to ensure better decision-making about preserving historic 

properties.91 Important for our discussion here is that Section 106 of the NHPA and its 

implementing regulations (36 CFR 800) establish a process by which managers must identify 

and evaluate the significance of cultural resources (i.e, whether they are eligible for inclusion in 

the National Register of Historic Places, which was established by the act) and requires the 

manager to consult with other interested partners, such as state and tribal historic preservation 

offices and the ACHP, to determine significance and assess potential effects of proposed federal 

undertakings. 

The goal of this process is to identify cultural resources potentially affected by a federal 

undertaking, assess those effects and seek ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate any adverse 

effects to cultural resources eligible for inclusion or listing in the National Register. The NHPA, 

however, does not guarantee the preservation of cultural resources. It mandates a process that is 

to be followed to evaluate and mitigate the effects of federal undertakings to cultural resources. 

This is a key point, because the WSRA requires that direct and adverse effects of federallyassisted water resources projects on WSR values, including cultural ORVs, must be avoided or 

eliminated. A WSR Administering Agency cannot concur with a decision made through the 106 

process that resolves an adverse effect, as defined by Section 106 and its regulations, but results 

in the loss of the Cultural ORV.92 See Appendix B: Identifying Wild and Scenic River Values on 

Designated Rivers for more information about defining Cultural ORVs. 

This appendix identifies the common steps used in the NHPA Section 106 process and 

opportunities to integrate WSRA Section 7. It also highlights important differences in these 

laws, generally described in Chapter 4, Section 4.1.1 Activities that Trigger a Section 7 

Evaluation. River managers should take note that relying on the Section 106 process to evaluate 

direct and adverse effects to WSR values may not be adequate for the proper administration of 

91 The regulations for Section 106 use the term “historic properties” rather than cultural resources. Under the NHPA, as amended, 

historic properties include all cultural resource categories identified by NPS-28 Cultural Resource Management Guideline (NPS 

1998b) (archeological resources, cultural landscapes, historic structures, ethnographic resources [such Traditional Cultural 

Properties], and museum collections).

92 This is a key difference - under WSRA, Section 7, a water resources project cannot move forward if the WSR administering 

agency determines there will be a direct and adverse effect on WSR values; under NHPA Section 106, consulting parties can 

agree to resolve an adverse effect by destroying a cultural resources ORV and mitigating the loss. 

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the WSRA, or for the stewardship of Wild and Scenic Rivers, or for adequate Section 7 

determinations. Ideally, river managers should work collaboratively to seek solutions that fully 

address the mandate of both the WSRA and NHPA. 

Initiate Project Review and Confirm Applicability of WSRA Section 7 and NHPA Section 

A federal nexus is required to trigger requirements of both WSRA Section 7 and NHPA Section 

106, even though the language is different. Section 7 is triggered if the project includes federal 

assistance by loan, grant, license or otherwise in the construction of certain types of projects.93 

Section 106 of the NHPA is triggered if the proposed project is a Federal Undertaking.94 

Additional requirements under Section 7 of the WSRA for cultural resources are that the activity 

must be a federally-assisted water resources project with potential to affect free flow, water 

quality or Outstandingly Remarkable Values, or the project must be a FERC authorized 

hydropower project on or directly affecting a designated or 5(a) study river.95 Section 106 

applies to all federal undertakings. If the undertaking has no potential to affect cultural 

resources96, then the agency official has no additional Section 106 obligations. Not all federal 

undertakings as defined by the NHPA will be water resources projects or FERC authorized 

hydropower construction. This has implications for protecting cultural ORVs and for integrating 

Section 106 with other WSRA provisions, such as Section 10(a) and the associated nondegradation policy. 

The WSR-administering agency confirms that a Section 7 review is required. The lead agency 

official for the federal undertaking confirms that Section106 is required. For the National Park 

Service, the Programmatic Agreement among the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and 

the National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers identifies park superintendents as the 

agency official. Consultation by the agency official with appropriate SHPOs and THPOs and 

other stakeholders (e.g., public) is required throughout the remainder of the Section 106 process. 

Identify Relevant Cultural Resources 

Under the WSRA Section 7, the WSR-administering agency identifies the Cultural Resource 

ORVs that must be addressed.97 If cultural ORVs are not described in detail, then the WSR93 See Chapter 4, Section 4.1 Statutory Background and Section 4.9.5. National Historic Preservation Act. 

94 Undertaking means a project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part under the direct or indirect 

jurisdiction of a Federal agency, including those carried out by or on behalf of a Federal agency; those carried out 

with Federal financial assistance; and those requiring a Federal permit, license or approval. (36CFR800.16y) 

95 See Chapter 4 for more detailed information about definitions, triggers and standards for Section 7. Federally 

assisted water resources projects and FERC authorized hydropower projects have different requirements. Cultural 

resources are not included in the provisions for projects located upstream, downstream, and on tributaries. 

96 The regulations for Section 106 use the term “historic properties” rather than cultural resources. Under the NHPA, 

as amended, historic properties include all cultural resource categories identified by the NPS (archeological 

resources, cultural landscapes, historic structures, ethnographic resources [such Traditional Cultural Properties], and 

museum collections). 

97 Cultural ORVs are located within the designated river or study corridor. This may include contributing elements 

for cultural resources that are primarily located outside the river corridor; such as a river view for a Historic District, 

provided that this resource is documented as part of the ORV. 

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administering agency should follow the initial steps of the Section 106 process to identify 

resources that contribute to the cultural ORVs. Under Section 106 the Area of Potential Effects 

(APE) must be defined and then the cultural resources within that area must be identified. All 

cultural resources must be evaluated for significance and their eligibility for listing in the 

National Register. If inventories of eligible cultural resources have not been conducted within the 

APE, then the agency official must conduct appropriate level inventories to identify those 

resources.98 

Since Cultural ORVs must be river-related and rare, unique or exemplary on a regional or 

national scale, all NR or NR- eligible resources may not qualify for review under Section 7 of the 

WSRA. An ORV is not simply a list of places. The ORV may be based on discrete structures or 

locations that are culturally important, but the ORV may be “larger” than these individual sites or 

structures. 

Assess Effects 

Under Section 7, the WSR-administering agency must describe how the proposed activity will 

directly alter Cultural Resource ORVs, including consideration of temporary, short-term and 

long-term effects. It will also compare these effects with management goals for Comprehensive 

River Management Plans (CRMPs). Under Section 106, the agency official assesses effects of 

the proposed project to NR eligible or listed resources. If none are identified in the APE, the 

agency official makes the determination of “No Historic Properties Affected.” An assessment of 

“No Adverse Effect” or “Adverse Effect” must be made if NR listed or eligible resources are 

identified in the APE. If there are no eligible or listed historic properties affected or if there are 

no adverse effects, the agency official requests concurrence of this assessment from consulting 

parties. If those parties concur, the process is completed. 

Under Section 106, an adverse effect, however, means the project will alter, directly or 

indirectly, any of the characteristics that qualify it for listing in the NR in a manner that would 

diminish the integrity of the property’s location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, 

or association. NHPA regulations (36 CFR 800) and policy establish a process for determining 

and resolving a finding of adverse effect, which may be very helpful to the WSR-administering 

agency. It is important to highlight, however, that the WSRA Section 7 only addresses direct 

and adverse effects; Section 106 requires both direct and indirect effects be assessed. If there is 

an adverse effect finding, the ACHP must be notified. 

The WSR-administering agency provides comments that identify issues that must be addressed 

in a Section 7 determination and should help identify actions to protect WSR values and, for any 

alternative(s) likely to result in an adverse effect determination, suggest, if possible, changes 

necessary to avoid a finding of adverse effect. 

98 Secretary of Interior Standards and Guidelines for Historic Preservation apply. Agency Officials should also be 

mindful of state identification methods and ensure SHPOs and THPOs agree on the adequacy of methods for 

inventories. See 36 CFR 800.11 for more information on documentation standards. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Resolve Adverse Effects 

Under the WSRA Section 7, adverse effects must be avoided or eliminated by minimizing the 

effect so that it is not considered adverse. Mitigation is not an option. 

Under the NHPA Section 106, adverse effects must be resolved through consultation with 

partners (such as SHPOs and THPOs), stakeholders, and the public. Resolving adverse effects 

may be accomplished by: avoiding,99minimizing,100 or mitigating101 the adverse effect. If a 

consulting party, such as a SHPO or THPO objects, then the agency official must consult with 

the party to resolve the disagreement, or the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation can be 

invited to review. Under Section 106, consulting parties can agree, then, to resolve an adverse 

effect by developing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that defines measures to be taken to 

mitigate the effect of the undertaking, and move forward with the project, even if the resource is 

ultimately destroyed by that undertaking. 

It is not acceptable under Section 7, for the WSR administering agency to concur with a decision 

made through the 106 process that resolves a (direct and) adverse effect, but is still considered an 

adverse effect for the purposes of the NHPA and results in the degradation or loss of the ORV. 

This is a key difference - under WSRA, Section 7, a water resources project, for example, cannot 

move forward if the WSR administering agency determines there will be a direct and adverse 

effect on WSR values. 

If the WSR-administering agency makes an adverse effect determination, and the Federal action 

agency still wants to move forward with the project, it can notify the Secretary of the Interior (or 

Agriculture) 60 days in advance of requesting Congressional authorization/appropriation for the 

project (Section 7 of the WSRA.). Congress makes the final decision about whether to 

implement the project, notwithstanding the adverse Section 7 determination. This provision has 

been used very rarely and we are not aware of cases where it has been used to address cultural 

resource protection. The recommended best practice is to seek resolution at the local level. 

There are several cases where historically significant bridges have been upgraded using a 

resolution package that retains the overall appearance of the bridge that is satisfactory to the 

SHPO and WSR-administering agency. 

Under Section 106, if there is a failure to resolve adverse effects and develop an MOA, the 

agency official, the SHPO and THPO, or the ACHP may determine that further consultation will 

not be productive and terminate consultation. Section 800.6(b)(2) sets forth a process for 

terminating consultation. The lead agency reaches agreement with other parties, documents 

concurrence in an MOA, files the MOA with the ACHP, and implements the undertaking. 

99 Avoid adverse effects by using Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.

100 Minimize adverse effects by: partially restoring historic buildings; altering color or shape of design to blend or 

contrast with surroundings (e.g., transmission lines, natural stone facing); or reducing scale of undertaking (e.g., 

reduce height of towers, grassy shoulders). 

101 Mitigate adverse effects by: data recovery or architectural recordation; curation of artifacts (i.e., stabilization, 

conservation, storage); public interpretation; moving historic properties; creating a historic preservation fund 

program. 

Appendix K-4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX L: COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION EXAMPLE 

See Section 4.8.6 for more information on the appropriate use of compatibility determinations. 

Date 

Memorandum 

To: [Insert Site and Project Name Files] 

From: [Insert Name/Title of Approving Authority] 

Subject: Section 10(c) Compatibility Determination, Pursuant to the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA) for [Insert project name/elements that are 

considered a water resources project]. 

Compliance for water resources projects on designated Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs) that are 

also units of the National Park System must include a section 7(a) determination and a Section 

10(c) compatibility determination, pursuant to the WSRA. 

Earlier this year, the [insert name of federal assisting agency/project proponent] prepared [insert 

the name/date of environmental assessment or environmental impact statement] for [insert the 

project title and primary element that is a water resources project] on the [river name/site 

name]. Based upon the [preliminary or final section 7(a) determination], the Department of the 

Interior finds the [insert project name] [would/would not] result in a direct and adverse effect to 

free-flow condition or to any of the values for which the [site/river name] was included in the 

Wild and Scenic Rivers System [insert date of preliminary/final determination] 

The following serves as the National Park Service (NPS) compatibility finding. 

Section 10(c) WSRA Compatibility Discussion and Determination 

Section 10(c) of the WSRA states that any component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 

System that is administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the NPS shall become a part 

of the National Park System, and any such component that is administered by the Secretary 

through the USFWS, shall become a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The lands 

involved shall be subject to the provisions of the WSRA and the Acts under which the National 

Park System or National Wildlife Refuge System, as the case may be, is administered. In case of 

conflict between the provisions of these Acts, the more restrictive provisions shall apply. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

Pursuant to Section 10(c) of the WSRA, this section addresses the proposal in terms of its 

compatibility with the NPS’s Organic Act of 1916, National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 

1998, NPS Management Policies 2006, and the [insert site name and date of GMP]. 

DISCUSSION: 

1916 National Park Service Organic Act: 

The most important statutory directive for the NPS is provided by interrelated provisions of the 

NPS Organic Act of 1916 and the NPS General Authorities Act of 1970, including amendments 

to the latter law enacted in 1978. The key management-related provisions of the NPS Organic 

Act are as follows: 

The National Park Service shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal 

areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter 

specified...by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose 

of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the 

scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to 

provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will 

leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations (16 USC 1). 

National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (16 USC 5936) 

The Secretary shall take such measures as are necessary to assure the full and 

proper utilization of the results of scientific study for park management decisions. 

In each case in which an action undertaken by the NPS may cause a significant 

adverse effect on a park resource, the administrative record shall reflect the 

manner in which unit resource studies have been considered. 

Management Policies 2006 

The management of the National Park System and NPS programs is guided by Management 

Policies 2006. Adherence to these policies is mandatory, unless specifically waived or modified 

in writing by the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, or the Director. 

In making a determination of whether there would be impairment, a National 

Park Service decision-maker must use his or her professional judgment. This 

means that the decision-maker must consider any environmental assessments or 

environmental impact statements required by the National Environmental Policy 

Act (NEPA) of 1969; relevant scientific studies, and other sources of information; 

and public comments (Section 1.4.7, page 12). 

[Date] General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement 

The purpose and significance of [insert site name] is articulated in the [Site Name GMP and Date 

of GMP] and includes the following: 

Appendix L-2 
 

 

 

 

 

Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

[insert primary bullets of purpose/significance] 

Section 10(c) Findings: 

Each unit of the NPS represents some nationally significant aspect of our natural or cultural 

heritage. As the physical remnants of our past, and great scenic and natural places that continue 

to evolve, our national parks warrant the highest standard of protection. Congress declared the 

fundamental purpose of the national park system, established by the Organic Act and reaffirmed 

by the General Authorities Act, as amended, begins with a mandate to conserve park resources 

and values. National Park Service managers must thus always seek ways to avoid, or to 

minimize to the greatest degree practicable, adverse impacts on park resources and values. 

While the laws do give the NPS the management discretion to allow impacts to park resources 

and values, it is only for circumstances when necessary and appropriate to fulfill the purposes of 

a park, and as long as the impact does not constitute impairment of the affected resources and 

values (1916 Organic Act, NPS Management Policies 2006). 

Such decisions must be based on ample technical and scientific studies appropriate to decisions 

being made. It is clear from laws and management guidance that there should be a reasoned 

connection between decisions and available science (1988 National Parks Omnibus Management 

Act). Moreover, NPS management directives emphasize environmental leadership and a 

stewardship ethic based upon sound science and professional judgment. 

Based on the discussions contained in the NPS’s preliminary Section 7(a) determination, 

construction activities of the scope proposed could have serious, long-term resource 

implications. 

Therefore, pursuant to Section 10(c) of the WSRA, and based upon [insert site name] purpose, 

significance, and the management goals articulated for the [insert site name and date of GMP], 

the 1916 Organic Act, and NPS Management Policies 2006, the Department of the Interior finds 

that approval of the [project name], if fully implemented as described, [would/would not be] 

consistent and compatible with the Organic Act, the WSRA, the National Parks Omnibus 

Management Act, and the [insert site GMP]. 

This Section 10(c) determination is based on information provided by the [name of federal 

assisting agency/project proponent] for the proposed project, telephone and e-mail 

correspondence, field investigations and previous monitoring, a site visit to properties associated 

with the project, relevant planning documents, and information in NPS files and databases. This 

determination addresses fish and wildlife resources, but it does not address issues under the 

Endangered Species Act (ESA) since the USFWS conducts consultations with federal agencies 

on proposed and listed species. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

APPENDIX M: CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 

This section focuses on general principles for resource protection and enhancement of WSR 

values. Best management practices for protecting and enhancing cultural resources are presented 

here. For assistance in developing effective cultural resource management practices, contact your 

regional Cultural Resource Division and its Programs, WASO’s Cultural Resources, 

Partnerships, and Science Programs, and/or Cultural Resource Divisions in nearby Parks. The 

following practices are recommended: 

• Complete Cultural Resources Baseline Documents and Cultural Resources Inventories, 

including: 

- Archeological Overviews and Assessments, Archeological Inventories (per 

Section 110 of the NHPA), and Archeological Site Management Plans; 

- Ethnographic Overviews and Assessments, and Ethnohistories; 

- Cultural Landscape Inventories and Cultural Landscape Reports; 

- Historic Resources Studies; 

- Historic Structure Reports; 

- Collection Management Plans and Scope of Collections Statement; 

- Conduct Traditional Use Studies and work with descendent communities to 

identify Traditional Cultural Properties; 

- Seek Determinations of Eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic 

Places for Historic Properties 

- Nominate eligible Historic Properties (as defined in the NHPA) to the National 

Register of Historic Places 

• Develop and maintain information systems for cultural resources including: 

- Cultural resource databases, such as the Cultural Resources Inventory System – 

Archeology, the Cultural Resources Inventory System – Cultural Landscapes, and 

Cultural Resources Inventory System – Historic Structures. Create fields within 

the databases for ORVs and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) status 

and level of significance. 

- Geospatial/GIS databases. 

- Current contact lists for partners, including SHPO and THPO. 

• Ensure accurate and complete information on cultural resources is entered into key 

planning documents such as foundation documents, CRMPs, and Climate Change 

Vulnerability Studies. 

• Conduct resource condition assessments to identify and evaluate potential adverse 

effects on ORVs. 

• Complete a Cultural Resources Stewardship Assessment prior to initiating a Resource 

Stewardship Strategy. 

• Establish monitoring protocols and schedules to assess resource conditions and enter 

observations in the appropriate information system. 

• Capture geospatial data according to CRGIS Standards and consider using GIS as a 

primary platform for data management. 

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Reference Manual 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers 4/12/2021 

• Work closely with Regional Museum Services Programs regarding the management of 

collections, especially cultural resources related archives as well as archives related to 

Administrative Records for Section 7 determinations. 

• Engage the public and develop partnerships with interested local, state, and regional 

organizations to assist with monitoring activities. Partners might include SHPO and 

THPO, colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations. 

• Regarding Protection of Cultural Resources, become familiar with the following federal 

laws: 

- Archeological Resources Protection Act 

- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act 

- National Historic Preservation Act 

- SURPA 

- Develop relationships with local Law Enforcement and appropriate Assistant U.S. 

Attorneys (who have the right of first refusal for ARPA cases) 

- Contact the Regional Archeologist in the appropriate region or the WASO 

Archeology Program as well as appropriate Park or Regional Law Enforcement if 

looting is observed or suspected. 

• Develop schedules for assessing the condition of cultural resources and update 

appropriate data management system 

• Create Interdisciplinary Cultural Resource Teams to conduct Section 106 reviews of all 

federal undertakings in the park; support the recommendations of the team and seek 

concurrence on assessments of effect with appropriate SHPOs and THPOs. 

• Regarding enhancing cultural resources that are ORVs: 

- Develop Communities of Practice for historic preservation to increase local 

involvement and a greater capacity to care for cultural resources (see information 

related to the Vanishing Treasures Program of the NPS for examples of how to 

build communities of practice); 

- Engage colleges and universities and develop effective partnerships by 

developing cooperative agreements (work with your Regional Financial 

Assistance Office to develop these types of agreements); 

- Work closely with the CESUs (Cooperative Ecosystems Study Units); each 

regional has CESU Coordinators stationed in host universities; 

- Better understand the range of river values by engaging descendent and 

traditionally associated communities. 

Appendix M-2