Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
Shorttitle	Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
Longtitle	An Act to provide for a National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes
Enactedby	91st United States Congress
Citations	Pub.L. 90-542
Effective	October 2, 1968
Introducedby	Senate and House

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is a federal law that aims to preserve and protect certain rivers in the United States that have outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values. The law was enacted by the 91st United States Congress and signed into effect by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 2, 1968, with the support of United States Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall and National Park Service Director George B. Hartzog Jr.. The Act is administered by the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, in cooperation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Act has been amended several times, including by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, signed into law by President Barack Obama, with the support of United States Senator Jeff Bingaman and United States Representative Nick Rahall.

Introduction

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is a landmark legislation that has helped to protect over 12,000 miles of rivers in the United States, including the Snake River, Colorado River, Missouri River, and Rio Grande. The Act has been instrumental in preserving the natural and cultural resources of these rivers, including their water quality, fisheries, and wildlife habitats, with the help of organizations such as the The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and National Wildlife Federation. The Act has also helped to promote recreation and tourism in the areas surrounding these rivers, including rafting, kayaking, and fishing, with the support of National Recreation and Park Association and Outdoor Industry Association. The Act is an important part of the National Park System, which includes Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park, and is managed in cooperation with National Park Foundation and National Parks Conservation Association.

Legislative History

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was first introduced in the United States Congress in 1965 by United States Senator Frank Church and United States Representative John Saylor, with the support of The Wilderness Society and Izaak Walton League. The bill was the result of a long campaign by conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts, including Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and David Brower, who were concerned about the impact of dams, pollution, and other human activities on the nation's rivers, with the help of organizations such as the Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife. The bill was passed by the United States Senate in 1967 and by the United States House of Representatives in 1968, with the support of United States Senator Henry M. Jackson and United States Representative Morris Udall, and was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 2, 1968, with the attendance of United States Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall and National Park Service Director George B. Hartzog Jr..

Designation Process

The designation of a river as wild and scenic involves a rigorous process that includes studies and public hearings, conducted by the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, in cooperation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The process typically begins with a petition from a local community or conservation group, such as the Sierra Club or The Nature Conservancy, and is supported by organizations such as the National Recreation and Park Association and Outdoor Industry Association. The petition is then reviewed by the relevant federal agencies, including the National Park Service and United States Forest Service, which conduct studies and hold public hearings to determine whether the river meets the criteria for designation, with the help of United States Geological Survey and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If the river is designated as wild and scenic, it is then managed and protected by the relevant federal agencies, in cooperation with state and local governments, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Protected Rivers

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has protected over 200 rivers in the United States, including the Snake River, Colorado River, Missouri River, and Rio Grande. These rivers are managed and protected by the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, in cooperation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The protected rivers include wild rivers, which are free-flowing and undeveloped, and scenic rivers, which are developed but still have outstanding natural and cultural values, with the help of organizations such as the The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and National Wildlife Federation. The protected rivers also include recreational rivers, which are developed for recreation and tourism, with the support of National Recreation and Park Association and Outdoor Industry Association.

Management and Administration

The management and administration of the wild and scenic rivers is a complex process that involves multiple federal agencies, including the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, in cooperation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The agencies work together to develop management plans and regulations that protect the natural and cultural resources of the rivers, including their water quality, fisheries, and wildlife habitats, with the help of organizations such as the The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and National Wildlife Federation. The agencies also work with state and local governments, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, to ensure that the rivers are protected and managed in a way that is consistent with the Act, with the support of National Recreation and Park Association and Outdoor Industry Association.

Impact and Controversies

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has had a significant impact on the protection and management of the nation's rivers, with the help of organizations such as the The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and National Wildlife Federation. The Act has helped to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the rivers, including their water quality, fisheries, and wildlife habitats, and has promoted recreation and tourism in the areas surrounding the rivers, with the support of National Recreation and Park Association and Outdoor Industry Association. However, the Act has also been the subject of controversy, particularly with regard to the designation of rivers as wild and scenic, which can limit the development of dams, mining, and other human activities, with the opposition of organizations such as the National Mining Association and American Petroleum Institute. The Act has also been criticized for its lack of funding and resources, which can make it difficult to effectively manage and protect the rivers, with the concern of United States Senator Jeff Bingaman and United States Representative Nick Rahall. Despite these challenges, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act remains an important tool for protecting the nation's rivers and promoting conservation and sustainability, with the support of President Barack Obama and United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.

Category:United States federal conservation legislation