The American Heritage Rivers were nominated by American communities to celebrate their own historical and cultural values. The American Heritage Rivers Initiative is an entirely new design for a federal conservation program, in several key ways. In a sense, it's an invitation to reconnect to the waterways that in many cases are why certain communities were situated where they are today. Programs like the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program emphasize federal protection following Congressional designation. The program has been focused on remote rivers only lightly touched by commerce and development.
Specific regulations determine whether proposed uses are consistent with the designation.
Though there will be multiple federal agencies offering guidance, leadership in oversight of the river programs will be at the community level. Similar differences exist in comparing the American Heritage Rivers Initiative to such federal programs as National Heritage Areas, Outstanding National Resource Waters, National Wildlife Refuges, National Scenic Byways and National Recreation Trails.