What US Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 USC ch 28): River Designation, Classification and Project Restrictions requires
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, codified at 16 U.S.C. Chapter 28 (sections 1271-1287), establishes a national system to preserve selected rivers with outstandingly remarkable values in their free-flowing condition, administered by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and US Fish and Wildlife Service depending on the river. Section 1271 declares the policy that certain selected rivers which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values shall be preserved in free-flowing condition for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Section 1273 establishes the national wild and scenic rivers system and the three classifications: wild river areas (free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with primitive watersheds and unpolluted waters), scenic river areas (free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive but accessible in places by road), and recreational river areas (readily accessible by road or railroad, possibly with some development or past impoundment). Section 1274 lists the component rivers and adjacent lands, section 1275 provides for the study of potential additions, and section 1276 lists rivers designated for study. Section 1278 sets the central protection: the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may not license the construction of any dam, water conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line or other project works on or directly affecting any river designated as a component of the system, and no federal agency may assist by loan, grant, license or otherwise in the construction of any water resources project that would have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which a designated river was established. Sections 1279 and 1280 withdraw designated public lands from entry and address mining and mineral leasing, and sections 1281 and 1283 set the administration and management policies for designated rivers, including the development of comprehensive management plans. The Act protects rivers chiefly through these designation, licensing and management mechanisms rather than through criminal penalties on private parties.
Pillar: Water & Environmental Resources · Authority: US Congress / National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and US Fish and Wildlife Service · Version: 1.0.0 · Last updated:
Primary source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title16/html/USCODE-2022-title16-chap28.htm
SHA-256 integrity: 5b0c151a112bb465365546a9de457696463840017264f7ff5f6112e010661356
Primary Citations — 8 traced to source
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271 - congressional declaration of policy.
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1273 - national wild and scenic rivers system and the wild, scenic and recreational classifications.
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