WSP12021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-, 000651 ) However, rivers are diverse, and man's URe of them and their watersheds has al- tered them in varying degrees. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act therefore estab- lished three classifications for inclusion in the system: Wild River Areas Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with water- sheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. These represent vestiges of primitive America. Scenic River Areas Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and shorelines largely undeveloped, but acces- sible in places by roads. Recreational River Areas Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have under- gone some impoundment or diversion in the past. Through these classifications the Na. tional Wild and Scenic Rivers System pro- vides for protection of a range of water- ways-from the few remaining primitive and remote rivers to those whose banks may have undergone settlement or de- ) , velopment and whose waters may have been slightly altered. Some include im- poundments, and others are in established national parks and primitive areas. To provide consistency, guidelines have been prepared for evaluating river areas. These guidelines describe signifi- cant differences among the three types of river areas and outline special features to look for when evaluating a river for in- clusion in the national system. Wild river areas. being the most prim- itive, inaccessible. and unchanged will be managed to preserve and enhance the primitive qualities. Scenic river areas which are acces- sible in places by road will be managed to preserve and enhance a natural, though sometimes modified, environment and pro- vide a modest range of facilities for rec- reation. Recreational river areas normally will provide the visitor with a wide range of readily accessible recreational opportuni- ties. including more elaborate and more numerous facilities in an environment which may reflect substantial evidence of man's activity. yet remain esthetically pleasing. For more detailed information on river classification see "Guidelines [or Evaluating Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rive,' Areas. . ." adopted by the Depart- ment of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior. February 1970. Copies are available from the Department of the In- terior. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, Washington. D.C. 20240 or Department of Agriculture. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 20250.