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<br />0029J3 <br /> <br />Chapter I <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542, October 1968. 16 <br />U.s.C. 1271 et seq.) established a policy that certain rivers or segments <br />of rivers possessing ". . ' outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, <br />geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values. . ." <br />should be preserved in free-flowing condition and protected for the <br />public's benefit and enjoyment. (See fig. 1,1.) The act established proce- <br />dures whereby qualified rivers possessing at least one outstanding attri- <br />bute can become designated components of a national wild and scenic <br />rivers system. As of September 1986, the national system consists of 66 <br />rivers or segment.s. totaling 7,224 miles,' <br /> <br />Intended by the Congress as a complement to federal policies aimed at <br />water resource de\'elopment, the act prohibit.s federal licensing, assis- <br />tance, or construction of water projects that altered a designat.ed wild <br />and scenic river's free-flowing condition or diminished its outstanding <br />values, Prohibited or restricted projects include those associated with <br />public ancl private hydroelectric power production, dredging operat.ions, <br />channelization. and diversions for water supply, The act does not explic- <br />itly prohibit. new shoreline development on privately owned lands, How- <br />ever. uncleI' certain circumstances federal protection coulcllimit such <br />development. For example, the act authorizes federal agencies to <br />acquire privately owned lands or easements to protect scenic values, <br />preclude new development, or provide public access to the river. Agen- <br />cies may also seek cooperation from state or local governments to apply <br />land-use zoning controls within the river corridor or otherwise pm-tici- <br />pate in its administration, <br /> <br />I During the pro~cssing of this rCpllrt in NovemlJcr IOH6. legislatioll wa.<, ~nacted arldinj:!; six river.:; <br />(139 miles) mto th~ fwtional system <br /> <br />Page 10 <br /> <br />GAO/RCED-87.39 Wild and Scenic Ri\:~rs <br />