7846

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7846
• Author: American River Management Society
• Title: Editor
• USFW Year: Series
• USFW - Doc Type: 1994
• Copyright Material: NO

48

· there was provision to permit sea lamprey control; and

· there was a requirement for joint studies, with a federal grant-in-aid program to permit an active state
role.

President Bush signed the Michigan Scenic Rivers Act of 1991 into law on March 3, 1992. This action
immediately added 535 miles on 14 Michigan rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and
requires development of comprehensive management plans for those 14 river corridors (1/4 mile on each side of
the streams).

The legislation also directs that 11 river segments, encompassing 465 miles, be cooperatively studied by the
USFS and MDNR to determine: a) if they qualify for Federal and/or State scenic river designation; b) if it's
appropriate that they be designated as components of those systems; c) how those rivers and adjoining lands
should be managed; and d) who will be the managing agency. The law requires the studies to be completed by
October, 1995, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a 10-person citizens committee for each river
to assist in those studies.

In addition to attempting to deal with 1,000 miles of river on 25 segments lying within 4 national forests, this
effort also impacts: six state forests; four state parks; three federally designated wilderness areas; two national
scenic byways; numerous state game areas and research natural areas; the North Country National Scenic Trail;
and well over 100,000 acres of private lands. In addition, the Brule River forms the boundary between the states
of Michigan and Wisconsin, and treaties with Canada direct how certain fish and wildlife management activities
may occur within these rivers.

It is now generally recognized that comprehensive river protection will not be realized adequately without some
management of private lands, short of acquisition. And this cannot be accomplished without the active
participation and support of the states and local governments. The Michigan Scenic Rivers Act of 1991
contemplates some degree of private land management. The federal government, however, does not have the
legal authority to adopt regulations affecting private lands, lacks the experience and expertise in this type of
management, and often fails to achieve the required political support for federal involvement.

Is it any wonder we need a cooperative effort to approach this mighty challenge? Therefore, the Forest Service
and DNR got together and formed the Michigan Inter-Agency Rivers Strategy Team, which we affectionately
refer to as MIST. The team is comprised of 6 USFS members (one from each of the national forests, and two
from their Regional offIce in Milwaukee), and three from Michigan DNR (one each from the Rivers, Fisheries
and Public Affairs offices).

We've defIned MISTs role in the following manner:

· provide overall direction and statewide consistency;

· seek interpretation of law and USFS and state policy;

· define the roles of various agencies and citizen committees;

· develop public involvement strategies and communications networks;

· recruit members for the 11 Congressional Study Committees;

· pursue funding and personnel; and

· identify needs for and provide appropriate training.

The MIST team has been meeting regularly since June, 1992 and has accomplished a great deal, considering no
specific funds have been appropriated for either federal or state participation:

· developed official charter for Congressional study committees;

· organized and conducted three training sessions for federal and state employees likely to be involved:

American River Management Society