Michigan Scenic Rivers Act of 1991
PL 102-249 (H.R.476), enacted 03/03/1992

PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
106 STAT. 45 
Public Law 102-249 
102d Congress 
An Act 
To designate certain rivers in the State of Michigan as components of the National 
Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled. 
Mar. 3, 1992 
[H.R. 476] 
Michigan Scenic 
Rivers Act of 
1991. 
Conservation. 
Michigan Scenic Rivers Act of 16USC1271 
note. 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the 
1991". 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that— 
(1) the State of Michigan possesses memy outstanding free-
flowing rivers which with their adjacent lands have resource 
values of national significance, such as outstanding wildlife 
and fisheries, ecological and recreationsil values, and historic 
and prehistoric sites; 
(2) many of these rivers have been found to be eligible for 
inclusion in the Nationed Wild and Scenic Rivers System by 
the United States Forest Service while others possess outstand-
ing values that m£ike them eligible for wild and scenic river 
designation; and 
(3) the conservation of these river areas £ind their outstanding 
natural, cultural, and recreational vsilues is important to the 
heritage of Michigan £ind to its tourism and outdoor recreation 
industry and long-term economic development. 
SEC. 3. WILD, SCENIC, AND RECREATIONAL RIVER DESIGNATION. 
(a) Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
1274(a)) is amended by adding the following new paragraphs at 
the end thereof: 
"( ) BEAR CREEK, MICHIGAN.—^The 6.5-mile segment from Coates 
Highway to the Manistee River, to be administered by the Secretary 
of Agriculture as a scenic river. 
"( ) BLACK, MICHIGAN.—The 14-mile segment from the Ottawa 
National Forest boundary to Lake Superior, to be administered 
by the Secretary of Agriculture as a scenic river. 
"( ) CARP, MICHIGAN.—The 27.8-mile segment from the west 
section line of section 30, township 43 north, range 5 west, to 
Lake Huron, to be administered by the Secretary of Agricultiire 
in the following classes: 
"(A) The 2.3-mile segment from the west section line of section 
30, township 43 north, range 5 west, to Forest Development 
Road 3458 in section 32, township 43 north, range 5 west, 
as a scenic river. 
"(B) The 6.5-mile segment from the Forest Development Road 
3458 in section 32, township 43 north, range 5 west, to Michigan 
State Highway 123, as a scenic river. 
106 STAT. 46 
PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
"(C) The 7.5-mile segment from Michigan State Highway 
123 to one quarter of a mile upstream from Forest Development 
Road 3119, as a wild river. 
"(D) The 0.5-mile segment from one quarter of a mile 
upstream of Forest Development Road 3119 to one quarter 
mile downstream of Forest Development Road 3119, as a scenic 
river. 
"(E) The 4.9-mile segment from one quarter of a mile down-
stream of Forest Development Road 3119 to McDonald Rapids, 
as a wild river. 
"(F) The 6.1-mile segment from McDonald Rapids to Lake 
Huron, as a recreational river. 
"( ) INDIAN, MICHIGAN.—The 51-mile segment from Hovey Lake 
to Indian Lake to be administered by the Secretary of Agricult\u:e 
in the following classes: 
"(A) The 12-mile segment from Hovey Lake to Fish Lake, 
as a scenic river. 
"(B) The 39-mile segment from Fish Lake to Indian Lgtke, 
as a recreational river. 
"( ) MANISTEE, MICHIGAN.—^The 26-mile segment from the Michi-
gan DNR boat ramp below Tippy Dam to the Michigan State 
Highway 55 bridge, to be administered by the Secretciry of Agri-
culture as a recreational river. 
"( ) ONTONAGON, MICHIGAN.—Segments of certain tributaries, 
totaling 157.4 miles, to be administered by the Secretary of Agri-
culture as follows: 
"(A) The 46-mile segment of the East Branch Ontonagon 
from its origin at Spring Lake to the Ottawa National Forest 
boundary in the following classes: 
"(i) The 20.5-mile segment from its origin at Spring Lake 
to its confluence with an unnamed stream in section 30, 
township 48 north, range 37 west, as a recreational river. 
"(ii) TTie 25.5-mile segment from its confluence with an 
unnamed stream in section 30, township 48 north, range 
37 west, to the Ottawa National Forest boundary, as a 
wild river. 
"(B) The 59.4-mile segment of the Middle Branch Ontonagon, 
from its origin at Crooked Lake to the northern boundary 
of the Ottawa National Forest in the following classes: 
"(i) The 20-mile segment from its origin at Crooked Lake 
to Burned Dam, as a recreational river. 
"(ii) The 8-mile segment from Burned Dam to Bond Falls 
Flowage, as a scenic river. 
"(iii) The 8-mile segment from Bond Fgdls to Agate Falls, 
as a recreationEd river. 
"(iv) The 6-mile segment from Agate Falls to Trout Creek, 
as a scenic river. 
"(v) The 17.4-mile segment from Trout Creek to the 
northern boundary of the Ottawa NationeJ Forest, as a 
wild river. 
"(C) The 37-mile segment of the Cisco Branch Ontonagon 
from its origin at Cisco Lake Dam to its confluence with Ten-
Mile Creek south of Ewen in the following classes: 
"(i) The 10-mile segment from the origin of Cisco Branch 
Ontonagon at Cisco Lake Dtim to the County Road 527 
crossing, as a recreational river. 
PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
106 STAT. 47 
"(ii) The 27-mile segment from the Forest Development 
Road 527 crossing to the confluence of the Cisco Branch 
and Ten-Mile Creek, as a scenic river. 
"OD) The 15-mile segment of the West Branch Ontonagon 
from its confluence with Cascade Feills to Victoria Reservoir, 
in the following classes: 
"(i) The 10.5-mile segment from its confluence with Cas- 
/ 
cade Falls to its confluence with the South Branch 
Ontonagon, as a recreational river. 
"(ii) The 4.5-mile segment from its confluence with the 
South Branch Ontonagon to Victoria Reservoir, as a rec-
reational river. 
Nothwithstanding any limitation contained in this Act, the Sec-
retary is authorized to acquire lands and interests in lands which, 
as of August 1, 1990, were owned by Upper Peninsula Energy 
Corporation, and notwithstanding any such limitation, such lands 
shall be retained and mgmaged by the Secretary as part of the 
Ottawa National Forest, and those lands so acqxiired which are 
within the boundaries of any segment designated under this para-
graph shall be retained and managed pursueint to this Act. 
"( ) PAINT, MICHIGAN.—Segments of the mainstream and certain 
tributaries, totaling 51 miles, to be administered by the Secretary 
of Agriculture as follows: 
"(A) The 6-mile segment of the main stem from the confluence 
of the North and South Branches Paint to the Ottawa National 
Forest boundary, as a recreational river. 
"(B) The 17-mile segment of the North Bremch Paint from 
its origin at Mallard Lake to its confluence with the South 
Branch Paint, as a recreational river. 
"(C) The 28-mile segment of the South Branch Paint from 
its origin at Paint River Springs to its confluence with the 
North Branch Paint, as a recreational river. 
"( ) PINE, MICHIGAN.—The 25-mile segment from Lincoln Bridge 
to the east ]/16th line of section 16, township 21 north, range 
13 west, to be administered by the Secretary of Agricultiire as 
a scenic river. 
"( ) PRESQUE ISLE, MICHIGAN.—Segments of the mainstream 
and certain tributaries, toteiling 57 miles, to be administered by 
the Secretary of Agriculture as follows: 
"(A) The 23-mile segment of the mainstream, from the con-
fluence of the East and West Branches of Presque Isle to 
Minnewawa Falls, to be classified as follows: 
"(i) The 17-mile segment from the confluence of the East 
and West Branches Presque Isle to Michigan State High-
way 28, as a recreational river. 
"(ii) The 6-mile segment from Michigan State Highway 
28 to Minnewawa Falls, as a scenic river. 
"(B) The 14-mile segment of the East Branch Presque Isle 
within the Ottawa Nationeil Forest, as a recreational river. 
"(C) The 7-mile segment of the South Branch Presque Isle 
within the Ottawa National Forest, as a recreational river. 
"(D) The 13-mile segment of the West Branch Presque Isle 
within the Ottawa National Forest, as a scenic river. 
"( 
) STURGEON, HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST, MICHIGAN.—The 
43.9-mile segment from the north line of section 26, township 43 
north, range 19 west, to Lake Michigsm, to be administered by 
the SecretEiry of Agriculture in the following classes: 
106 STAT. 48 
PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
"(A) The 21.7-mile segment from the north line of section 
26, township 43 north, range 19 west, to Forest Highway 13 
as a scenic river. 
"(B) The 22.2-mile segment from Forest Highway 13 to Lake 
Michigan as a recreational river. 
"( 
) STURGEON, OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST, MICHIGAN.—The 25-
mile segment from its entry into the Ottawa Nationeil Forest to 
the northern boundary of the Ottawa National Forest, to be 
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture in the following 
classes: 
"(A) The 16.5-mile segment from its entry into the Ottawa 
National Forest to Prickett Lake, as a wild river. 
"(B) The 8.5-mile segment from the outlet of Prickett Lake 
Dam to the northern boundary of the Ottawa National Forest, 
as a scenic river. 
"( 
) EAST BRANCH OF THE TAHQUAMENON, MICHIGAN.—The 13.2-
mile segment from its origin in section 8, township 45 north, range 
5 west, to the Hiawatha National Forest boundary, to be adminis-
tered by the Secretary of Agriculture in the following classes: 
"(A) The 10-mile segment from its origin in section 8, town-
ship 45 north, range 5 west, to the center of section 20, township 
46 north, range 6 west, as a recreation£j river. 
"(B) The 3.2-mile segment from the center of section 20, 
township 46 north, range 6 west, to the boundary of the Hiawa-
tha Nationsil Forest, as a wild river. 
"( ) WHITEFISH, MICHIGAN.—Segments of the mainstream and 
certain tributaries, totaling 33.6 miles, to be administered by the 
Secretary of Agriciilture as follows: 
"(A) The 11.1-mile segment of the mainstream from its con-
fluence with the East and West Branches of the Whitefish 
to Lake MichigEin in the following classes: 
"(i) The 9-mile segment from its confluence with the 
East and West Branches of the Whitefish to the center 
of section 16, township 41 north, range 21 west, as a 
scenic river. 
"(ii) The 2.1-mile segment from the center of section 
16, township 41 north, range 21 west, to Lake Michigan, 
as a recreational river. 
"(B) The 15-mile segment of the East Branch Whitefish from 
the crossing of County Road 003 in section 6, township 44 
north, range 20 west, to its confluence with the West Branch 
> 
Whitefish, as a scenic river. 
"(C) The 7.5-mile segment of the West Branch Whitefish 
from County Road 444 to its confluence with the East Branch 
Whitefish, as a scenic river. 
"( ) YELLOW DOG, MICHIGAN.—^The 4-mile segment from its 
origin at the outlet of Biilldog Lake Dam to the boundary of the 
Ottawa National Forest, to be administered by the Secret£iry of 
Agricultxire as a wild river.". 
SEC. 4. WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDIES. 
(a) STUDY RIVERS.—Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(a)) is amended by adding the following new 
paragraphs at the end thereof: 
"( ) BRULE, MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN.—^The 33-mile segment 
from Brule Lake in the northeast quarter of section 15, township 
PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
106 STAT. 49 
41 north, range 13 east, to the Nationeil Forest boundary at the 
southeast quarter of section 31, township 41 north, range 17 east. 
"( ) CARP, MICHIGAN.—^The 7.6-mile segment from its origin 
at the confluence of the outlets of Frenchman Lake and Carp 
Lake in section 26, township 44 north, r£inge 6 west, to the west 
section line of section 30, township 43 north, range 5 west. 
"( ) LITTLE MANISTEE, MICHIGAN.—^The 42-mile segment within 
the Hiiron-Manistee National Forest. 
"( ) WHITE, MICHIGAN.—^The 75.4-mile segment within the 
Huron-Manistee National Forest as follows: 
"(A) The 30.8-mile segment of the main stem from U.S. 
31 to the Huron-M£inistee National Forest bound£iry at the 
north line of section 2, township 13 north, r£inge 15 west, 
1.5 miles southwest of Hesperia. 
"(B) The 18.9-mile segment of the South Branch White from 
the Huron-Manistee National Forest boundary east of Hesperia 
at the west line of section 22, township 14 north, range 14 
west, to Echo Drive, section 6, township 13 north, range 12 
west. 
"(C) The 25.7-mile segment of the North Branch White from 
its confluence with the South Branch White in section 25, 
township 13 north, range 16 west, to McLaren Lake in section 
11, township 14 north, r£inge 15 west. 
"( ) 
ONTONAGON, MICHIGAN.—^The 32-mile segment of the 
Ontonagon as follows: 
"(A) The 12-mile segment of the West Bremch from the Michi- 
• ) 
gan State Highway 28 crossing to Cascade Fedls. 
"(B) The 20-mile segment of the South Branch from the 
confluence of the Cisco Branch and Temnile Creek to the con-
fluence with the West Branch Ontonagon. 
"( ) PAINT, MICHIGAN.—^The 70-mile segment as follows: 
"(A) 34 miles of the mainstream beginning at the eastern 
boundary of the Ottawa Nationgd Forest in section 1, township 
44 north, range 35 west, to the city of Crystal FEQIS. 
"(B) 15 miles of the mainstream of the Net River from its 
confluence with the east and west breinches to its confluence 
with the mainstream of the Paint River. 
"(C) 15 miles of the east brsinch of the Net River from 
its source in section 8, township 47 north, range 32 west, 
to its confluence with the mainstream of the Net River in 
section 24, township 46 north, range 34 west. 
"(D) 14 miles of the west branch of the Net River from 
its source in section 35, township 48 north, range 34 west, 
to its confluence with the mgdnstream of the Net River in 
section 24, township 46 north, range 34 west. 
"( ) PRESQUE ISLE, MICHIGAN.—The 13-mile segment of the 
mainstream from Minnewawa Falls to Lake Superior. 
"( ) STURGEON, OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST, MICHIGAN.—The 36-
mile segment of the mainstream from the source at Wagner Lake 
in section 13, township 49 north, remge 31 west, to the eastern 
bovmdary of the Ottawa National Forest in section 12, township 
48 north, range 35 west. 
"( ) STURGEON, HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST, MICHIGAN.—The 
18.1-mile segment from Sixteen Mile Lake to the north line of 
section 26, township 43 north, rginge 19 west. 
"( ) TAHQUAMENON, MICHIGAN.—The 103.5-mile segment as 
follows— 
106 STAT. 50 
PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
"(A) the 90-inile segment of the mainstream beginning at 
the source in section 21, township 47 north, range 12 west, 
to the mouth at Whitefish Bay; and 
"(B) the 13.5-mile segment of the east branch from the west-
em boundary of the Hiawatha National Forest in section 19, 
township 46 north, range 6 west, to its confluence with the 
mainstream. 
"( ) WHITEFISH, MICHIGAN.—The 26-mile segment of the West 
Branch Whitefish from its source in section 26, township 46 north, 
range 23 west, to County Road 444.". 
(b) STUDY PROVISIONS.—Section 5(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
1276(b)) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following 
new paragraph: 
Reports. 
"(n) The study of segments of the Brule, Carp, Little Manistee, 
White, Paint, Presque Isle, Ontonagon, Sturgeon (Hiawatha), Stur-
geon (Ottawa), Whitefish, and Tahquamenon Rivers in Michigan 
imder subsection (a) shall be completed by the Secretary of Agri-
culture and the report submitted thereon not later than at the 
end of the third fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment 
of this paragraph. For purposes of such river studies, the Secretary 
shall consult with each River Study Committee authorized under 
section 5 of the Michigan Scenic Rivers Act of 1990, and shall 
encourage public participation and involvement through hearings, 
workshops, and such other means as are necessary to be effective.". 
SEC. 5. RIVER STUDY COMMITTEES. 
(a) ESTABUSHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP.—^At the earliest practicable 
date following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Agriculture (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Sec-
retary"), in consultation with the Michigan Department of Natural 
Resources, shall establish for each river identified in section 4 
a River Study Committee (hereinafter in this section referred to 
as "Committee"). Membership on each Committee shall consist of 
members appointed as follows: 
(1) Two members appointed by the appropriate Secretary. 
(2) Two members appointed by the Secretary from rec-
ommendations made by the Governor of the State of Michigan 
from the Department of Natural Resources. 
(3) Two members appointed by the Secretary from among 
representatives of local or State conservation and environ-
mental groups. 
(4) One member appointed by the Secretary from among 
representatives of each of the towns included in the study 
area. 
(5) Two members appointed by the Secretary from conunercial 
timber interests in the State of Michigem. 
(6) One nonvoting member who sh£dl be an employee of 
the Forest Service. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.—(1) A vacancy in a Committee 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment 
was made. 
(2) The Chair of a Committee shedl be elected by the members 
of the Committee. 
(3) The members of the Committee who are not full-time officers 
or employees of the United States shall serve without compensation. 
PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
106 STAT. 51 
(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary 
shall provide such technical and financisil assistance to each such 
Committee as the Secretary deems necessary. 
(d) STATE AND LOCAL SERVICES.—Each such Committee may 
accept services and other assistance from State and local govern-
ments. 
(e) STUDY PROCESS.—^Each River Study Committee shall advise 
the Secretary in the preparation of the report to Congress required 
by section 4 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1275(a)) 
for the rivers specified in section 4 of this Act. 
(f) TERMINATION.—^Each such Committee shall terminate upon 
submission of the report to Congress referred to in subsection 
(e) for the river concerned. 
(g) BRULE RIVER STUDY COMMITTEE.-For the purposes of the 
Brule River Study Committee established pxirsucmt to subsection 
(a), any reference in this section to the State of Michigan shall 
be deemed to be a reference to the State of Michigan and the 
State of Wisconsin. 
SEC. 6. MISCELLANEOUS. 
16 USC 1274 
(a) HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRAPPING.—Consistent with section 
13(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271-1287), 
nothing in this Act shall be construed to enlarge, diminish, or 
modify the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State of Michigan 
with respect to fish and wildlife, including hunting, fishing, and 
trapping on any lands administered by the Secretary of Agricultxire 
pursu£mt to this Act. 
(b) SEA LAMPREY CONTROL.—^Notwithst£inding any other provision 
of law, the installation and operation of facilities or other activities 
within or outside the boundaries of those river segments designated 
by this Act for the control of the lamprey eel shall be permitted 
subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Secretary of Agri-
culture may prescribe for the protection of water quality and other 
values of the river, including the wild and scenic characteristics 
of the river: Provided, That the Secretary shall determine in the 
river memagement plan for each such designated river that such 
facilities or activities are necessary for control of the lamprey eel. 
(c) ACCESS.—^The Secretary shall maintain traditional public 
access to the river segments designated by this Act, except that 
the Secretary, in consxiltation with the Director of the Michigan 
Department of Natural Resources, shall provide in the river man-
agement plan for each designated river segment for maintenance, 
closure, relocation, stabilization, improvements, or other appropriate 
adjustments as may be necessEiry for the management of such 
river segments. 
106 STAT. 52 
PUBLIC LAW 102-249—MAR. 3, 1992 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act shall be con-
strued as enlarging, diminishing, or modifying the limitations on 
the acqmsition of lands within a designated river segment contained 
in section 6(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1277(b)). 
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APE»ROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to carry out the piuposes of this Act. 
Approved March 3, 1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 476: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-84 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 102-240 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 137 (1991): June 3, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 138 (1992): Feb. 7, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Feb. 18, House concurred in Senate amendments.