Wild and Scenic Rivers: Designation, Management, and Funding Congressional Research Service 2 wild and scenic designation.8 Congress also has directed the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to evaluate rivers for inclusion in the NWSRS through agency planning processes.9 Congress may designate rivers as part of the system without first requiring a study. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich presented the legislation at the hearing. Legislation is being considered calling for designation of a large part of our waterways as wild and scenic, without visiting the district, discussing the topic or learning of unintended consequences is unthinkable. The Wisconsin system of state Wild Rivers was established by the 1965 Legislature with the enactment of s. 30.26, Wis. There are two ways that a river can be designated as Wild & Scenic: The secretary of the Interior can designate a river if a state governor requests it or Congress can designate a river, usually after a land-use agency conducts a study to see whether it’s eligible. On March 30, 2009, passage of the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act added all or segments of 13 rivers and streams in the Snake River Headwaters to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The goal of this plan was to preserve the natural resources in a 14.5 mile portion of the Upper Taunton River (from the confluence of the Town and Matfield Rivers to the Weir Village in Taunton) and to seek “Wild and Scenic River” status for this portion of the river. The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 established a system to identify free-flowing rivers across the United States that possess “outstandingly remarkable values.” The values include scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values. Wild and Scenic designation will protect the Gila from threats and preserve the Gila for generations to come. The M.H. There are numerous examples of rivers recommended by agencies that have not led to introduced or passed bills designating those rivers as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. provisions that apply to congressionally designated rivers also apply to Section 2(a)(ii) rivers. There is another important element for designation under Section 2(a)(ii): You need a governor willing to request designation. Step 1 : Introduction to the question "As summer heats up, we found some gentle rivers across the country to float down. However, there are very few states that have a state river protection system. “The York Lobstermen's Association strongly supports the designation of the York River into the Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers program,” said York Lobstermen’s Association President Jeff White. The second method is, at its core, also straight forward, but there are any number of variations that might be involved. It began as a response to the damming, diverting and degrading that had been happening to many of our country’s great waterways. Website. 6/22/17 Wild & Scenic Presentation by Jeff Tittel; Arsenic and Pipelines: Toxins To Avoid- Tullis Onstott November 30th, 2017; Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River ; Herring Alliance Presentation; Exploring Partnership Wild and Scenic River Designation- 2020 Delaware River Watershed Forum; Grants. 4 0 obj The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act safeguards the free-flowing character of rivers by precluding them from being dammed, while allowing for the public to enjoy them. Designated Rivers; About The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act; WSR Table (Mileage Classifications) Study Rivers; Stewardship; National Awards; WSR Legislation & Amendments; External Links: Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI) Signing Remarks; Riverfront Owners Brochure Gila Wild & Scenic River Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have introduced legislation to protect the Gila and San Francisco Rivers as Wild and Scenic! Lastly, the bill specifies that the wild and scenic river designation will not affect authorized agricultural activity along the river as long as the activity does not need a federal Army Corps of Engineers permit. The Rum River was added to Minnesota's Wild & Scenic Rivers Program in 1978. This is an exciting and prestigious opportunity, as less than ¼ of 1% of federal rivers and 1/5 of 1% of our state’s rivers have received the Wild and Scenic River designation. Section 2(a)(ii) of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act allows the Secretary of the Interior to designate a river if a state governor requests designation. Designation as a Wild and Scenic River would make the York River eligible for more federal funding and resources to help maintain its free-flowing state, the senators said. There must be effective mechanisms and regulations in place—local, state or federal—to provide for the long-term protection of those resources for which the river was deemed eligible. Wild and Scenic designation for a river is one way that we can help preserve the river systems health. %PDF-1.5 Designation as Wild & Scenic brings protection from development. The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act safeguards the free-flowing character of rivers by precluding them from being dammed, while allowing for the public to enjoy them. Designation as Wild & Scenic brings protection from development. >>/Reason()/Reference[<>/Type/SigRef>>]/SubFilter/adbe.pkcs7.detached/Type/Sig>> Designation gives local businesses a COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE to appeal to tourists. Facebook. Sign up for our newsletter. American Rivers is dedicated to conserving these rivers while we still can through Wild and Scenic River designation, the strongest and most effective tool to protect rivers and the lands along their banks. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act states that in order for a river to be eligible for designation it must be “free-flowing” and must possess one or more “outstandingly remarkable” values. There can also be wide variation in the study process itself. Farm Bureau representative Kevin Hensley spoke for several farmers that are concerned that designating the Nolichucky River “Wild and Scenic” could open the doors for more government regulations. The Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic River Committee is formed of local appointees and partner organizations to coordinate the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Designation. The might be a federal advisory committee involved. U.S. Sens. On November 1st, 2000, 67 miles of the Lower Delaware River along the border of eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, and three Pennsylvania tributaries received Federal Wild and Scenic Designation. Outstanding Resources. endobj Since its inception in 2015, the Nashua River Wild and Scenic Rivers Study Committee has worked to identify our river-related outstandingly remarkable resource values, consider the eligibility and suitability of the rivers for designation, and develop a voluntary stewardship plan with much public input. Stats., in order to afford the people of the state an opportunity to enjoy natural streams, to attract out-of-state visitors and assure the well-being of our tourist industry, and to preserve some rivers in a free-flowing condition and protect them from development. "We are delighted to learn that this proposed legislation will be introduced by Senator King and Senator Collins. “A Wild and Scenic River designation for areas within the York River would promote better access and protect the river’s natural resources that so many communities depend on for clean water and outdoor recreation like fishing, paddling and more,” Lauren Cosgrove, Northeast Senior Program Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, added. These permits are required when conducting certain activity in … Over subsequent years this Act was amended to protect a broader range of rivers, such as those with private, municipal and state land ownership with little or no federal land ownership. The Little River flows down the middle of Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. The first rivers designated were primarily in the western US. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was enacted as a way to protect and preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Forest Service would be charged with protecting the river’s scenic and recreational values, and dams would be forever prohibited. LDWS Mini Grant Program. Over the past 20 years, Congress has designated or authorized for study an increasing number of partnership WSRs. “A Wild and Scenic River designation for areas within the York River would promote better access and protect the river’s natural resources that so many communities depend on for clean water and outdoor recreation like fishing, paddling and more,” Lauren Cosgrove, Northeast Senior Program Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, added. The M.H. Grim forecast for the Rio Grande has water managers, conservationists concerned Among other things, the commission recommended that the nation protect wild rivers and scenic rivers from development that would substantially change their free-flowing nature and values. However, there are very few. Regardless of the outcome of an agency’s recommendation, Congress holds the authority to pass legislation that designates a river. Included tributaries are the Manumuskin, Menantico, and Muskee Rivers. (October 13, 2020) Legislation has been introduced to designate the Little Manatee River in Florida as a wild & scenic river. The question we’re most frequently asked is, “How do I get my favorite river designated?” Most people assume that an agency or a group of people decide which rivers should be designated. A National Park Service study determined the river is suitable for designation as a … Learn More I Support the W + S Designation. The Maurice River and three of its tributaries were designated as Wild and Scenic Rivers by the US Congress and President Clinton on December 1, 1993, after a study process that began in 1986. Members often include private citizens, local government officials, conservation organizations and property owners. Usually, this means designation into a state program. Congress could designate a river without first authorizing a study. Designation. &Dj��q���;k0��h~�̬�Ǭw!��n7�\�F��'[���{(��r)��8��C���3X���` �p��Ea��������l+&p�{0� T�X�� Not only is designation illegal under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it would prohibit some protections for the river, according to the complaint. The Myakka River Management Coordinating Council (Council) was established in 1985, by the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and Preservation Act (Section 258.501, Florida Statutes) (Designation Act) to provide interagency and intergovernmental coordination in the management of the river. The watershed is now considered a Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers System under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. American Rivers is dedicated to conserving these rivers while we still can through Wild and Scenic River designation, the strongest and most effective tool to protect rivers and the lands along their banks. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects free-flowing rivers with important scenic, natural, recreational, historic, cultural, or similar values. The newest Wild & Scenic Rivers bill Wyden plans to introduce would build on legislation Congress passed just last year to add more than 250 miles of wild and scenic … There are two ways that a river can be designated as Wild & Scenic: The secretary of the Interior can designate a river if a state governor requests it or Congress can designate a river, usually after a land-use agency conducts a study to see whether it’s eligible. The Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic River Committee is formed of local appointees and partner organizations to coordinate the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Designation. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries, and … Wild: Wild rivers are generally inaccessible, the flood plain is undeveloped, the river is free flowing, and 75 percent of the adjacent corridor is forested to a depth of at least 300 feet. Classification. Oregon has the most rivers designated (47), including the spectacular Klamath River. The river must first be designated as wild, scenic, or recreational (or the equivalent thereof) at the state level by, or pursuant to, an act of the legislature of that state. Designation as a Wild and Scenic River would make the York River eligible for more federal funding and resources to help maintain its free-flowing state, the senators said. 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