The law represents the peoples' response to the challenge of being wise stewards of their state rivers. The program promotes cooperative protection and wise use of rivers in the system by all federal, state and local agencies, individual property owners, and recreational users. As in Oregon's Scenic Waterway legislation, the federal law emphasizes protection of scenic, historic, natural and recreational qualities. In 1988, the Omnibus Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act added 40 more Oregon rivers to the system. When private property included within the one-quarter mile corridor is also with the federal river boundary, it is subject to state regulations.
Federal agencies can control the uses of private property only through purchase or easement.
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System now protects 1,697 river miles in Oregon. A process involving property owners, river users, local governments and natural resource agencies in adding rivers to the system is provided by the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department must first conduct a study to determine if a river meets the standards of a scenic waterway. They must then recommend the river for scenic waterway recognition before it can receive official designation from the Governor. The State Legislature has the authority to veto a Governor's designated addition.