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 dams 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. (Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968)

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve

certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future

generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their

appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in

developing goals for river protection.

Rivers may be designated by Congress or, if certain requirements are met, the Secretary of the Interior. Each river is administered by

either a federal or state agency. Designated segments need not include the entire river and may include tributaries. For federally

administered rivers, the designated boundaries generally average one-quarter mile on either bank in the lower 48 states and one-half mile

on rivers outside national parks in Alaska in order to protect river-related values.

Rivers are classified as wild, scenic, or recreational.

Wild river areas — 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.

Scenic river areas — 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.

Recreational river areas — 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.

Regardless of classification, each river in the National System is administered with the goal of protecting and enhancing the values that

caused it to be designated. Designation neither prohibits development nor gives the federal government control over private property.

Recreation, agricultural practices, residential development, and other uses may continue. Protection of the river is provided through

voluntary stewardship by landowners and river users and through regulation and programs of federal, state, local, or tribal governments.

In most cases not all land within boundaries is, or will be, publicly owned, and the Act limits how much land the federal government is

allowed to acquire from willing sellers. Visitors to these rivers are cautioned to be aware of and respect private property rights.

The Act purposefully strives to balance dam and other construction at appropriate sections of rivers with permanent protection for some of

the country's most outstanding free-flowing rivers. To accomplish this, it prohibits federal support for actions such as the construction of

dams or other instream activities that would harm the river's free-flowing condition, water quality, or outstanding resource values.

However, designation does not affect existing water rights or the existing jurisdiction of states and the federal government over waters as

determined by established principles of law.

As of 2008, the 40th anniversary of the Act, the National System protects more than 11,000 miles of 166 rivers in 38 states and the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; this is a little more than one-quarter of one percent of the nation's rivers. By comparison, more than

75,000 large dams across the country have modified at least 600,000 miles, or about 17%, of American rivers.

Home Information Management

Rivers Site Index WSR Council

National System Management Information Publications Site Navigation Rivers & Trails Contact Us

Wild and Scenic Rivers http://www.rivers.gov/

1 of 2 7/11/2011 12:27 PM
Wild and Scenic Rivers

Created on: 1/1/2007

Last updated: 04/21/2011 15:45:19

Site has changed since last visit!

RTCA Contact Us Publications

This web site uses pop-up windows — no advertising.

Privacy

Wild and Scenic Rivers http://www.rivers.gov/

2 of 2 7/11/2011 12:27 PM