Guidelines for Evaluating Wild, Scenic and Recreational River Areas Proposed for Inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River Systems Under Section 2

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lines, etc., in river areas being considered for in. ton in the national system are discouraged. however, wt_ no reasonable alternative exists, additional or new fac. should be restricted to existing rights -of -way. Where _ rights -of -way are indicated, the scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values must be evaluated in the selection of the site in accordance with the general guidelines des- cribed in the Report of the Working Committee on Utilities prepared for the President's Council on Recreation and Natural Beauty, December 1968. 0 Mineral activity subject to regulations under the Act must be conducted in a manner that minimizes surface disturbance, sedimentation and pollution, and visual impairment. Specific controls will be developed as a part of each management plan. CRITERIA FOR RIVER DESICNA11ON The following criteria for classification, designation, and administration of river areas are prescribed by the Act. These criteria are not absolutes, nor can they readily be defined quantitatively. In a given river, a departure from these standards might be more than compensated by other qual- ities. However, if several "exceptions" are necessary in order for a river to be classified as wild, it probably should be classified as scenic. If several "exceptions" are necessary in order for a river to be classified as scenic, it probably should be classified as recreational. Wild River Areas The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act states that "these represent vestiges of primitive America," and they possess these attributes: 1. "Free of impoundments" 2. "Generally inaccessible except by trail" 3. "Watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive" 4. "Waters unpolluted" • Classification criteria. Despite some obvious similarities, the "wildness" associated with a wild river area is not synonymous with the "wildness" -5-