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<br />oaZ8~7 <br /> <br />Executive Summary <br /> <br />effects of reducing flow and degrading scenic values on the rivers may <br />well preclude development. (See pp. 23 to 26.) <br /> <br />Other Developmental <br />Activities <br /> <br />According to state and local officials, most of the rivers GAO reviewed <br />have not experienced industrial, residential, or utility developments that <br />have dramatically affected their remarkable qualities. However, two <br />rivers-the Suwannee (Florida segment) and the Youghiogheny (Mary- <br />land segment)-have suffered from resource development activities: <br />phosphate mining that t.hreatens water quality on the Suwannee and <br />logging on the Youghiogheny. In addition, the water quality of the Illi- <br />nois has deteriorated significantly as a result of inadequate sewage <br />treatment and other sources, and the Wisconsin has been adversely <br />affected by residential development on its scenic bluffs. <br /> <br />For the remaining rivers, minor developments have occurred but state <br />and local officials and private interest groups generally do not consider <br />them seriously detrimental. Water pollution of many rivers at the time <br />of study has not worsened significantly (except on the Illinois) but <br />neither has it been eliminated. Increased recreational use and its <br />attendant littering and trespass problems are now a concern on six <br />rivers. (See pp. 27 to 43.) <br /> <br />Cost Estimates <br /> <br />Of the 27 river studies GAO reviewed, 18 contained the specific estimates <br />of potential federal land acquisition and management costs. Each of the <br />nine studies that did not provide such specific estimates was prepared <br />by the Interior Department after 1981. Eleven of the 27 studies included <br />excessive federal costs as part of the rationale for recommending <br />against including the subject river in the national system even though <br />the Interior Department had no specific estimates to support its position <br />in 8 of them. <br /> <br />Interior Department officials said they omitted specific cost estimates <br />because they believed that strong local opposition made it highly <br />unlikely that the rivers being studied would ever be added to the <br />national system regardless of federal costs. Consequently, officials <br />believed the expenditure of funds to prepare specific estimates of the <br />costs of adding the river to the national system would be imprudent. <br />However, the Department is required by the act to provide various <br />pieces of information about a river, including cost estimates. GAO <br />believes that such estimates are needed to assist the Congress in inde- <br />pendently judging the merits of the President's recommendation. Since <br /> <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />GAOjRCED-87.39 Wild and Scenic Rivers <br />