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" '. i-' _, .-~ \J ... \JV.... 11Jl,RYLAllD l'lar~'land has had a legislatively al1tnorized river protection program since .1978 known as the Scenic and wild Rivers Act. To date, nine rivers, including their tributaries, have heen included in the systerr.--for a total of 441 ~iles. The Act authorizes the l'!aryland Department of ~:atural Resouces (DER) to develop resource Qanagme~t plans tl:at will protect these nine rivers, promote wise use of the rivers' land and water resources, and improve resource ~ conservation measures. After rnan&gerr.ent plans for these nine rivers have been completed, DNR is authorized to study the remaining rivers in the state. The Act is unusual because most of the land adjacent to the designated rivers is . privately owned. The Act provides no authority for the acquisition of land by Dm;,. iiowever, land may be acquired under S011'e existing park and forest acquisition prograUls. The role of DNl\, ,,'hich tas assiened the Scenic and l:ild River PrograG to Land Planning Services (LPS), is to work with local anvisory committees and local municipalities to develop resource management reco~~edations for use by local governing bodies. I;hen LPS begins to develop rcanagemen t plans for a river, the Scenic River Review Board, consisting of the Se"retaries of the Haryland Cepartments of Natural Resources, State Planning and Agriculture, appoints a local citizen's advisory board. The scenic river staff of LPS works closely with this aevisory board to develop plans on recreatioIlal use of the river, conservatinn measures and preservation of special features. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the adviscry board ueeting. The meetings serve to keep citizens informed as well as tn offer a forum for citizen involve!:'l.ent. To date, the cnly river in Haryland which has received designatior. as a wild river is a portion of the Youghiogheny River in Garrett County from Millers RU[1 northward to the socthern limits of ,Friendsville, LPS has developed land use regulations which are designed to protect the scenic corridor (i.e. that area "hich can be se~n fror.. the river-assuming no trees) of this stretch of the river. NATIONAL RIVERS The Youghiogheny River in t~ryland fro~ Oakland to Friendsville was studied for possible additioI to the ~',aLonal \'iile and ~cenic Rivers System. It was conclu,ded that the Youghiogheny qualifies for inclusion in the l:ational \-lild and Scenic Fivers System. r is conclusion was based on the substantial natural values of the river, especially its outstanding whitewater, outstanding natural setting and excellent trout potential and rich wildlife habitat, It was recor;;mended that this 22 rdle segment he administered as a National ::'cenic River loy t,he ~,tate of Maryland upon application by the Governor of tlaryland to the Secreatray of the Interior. An application has not oeen Clade. 27