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. 002291 ,.. -2- , and limit any adverse effects of their actions on rivers identified in the Nationwide Inventory. Otherwise, the Inventory could be depleted before the identified rivers can be fully assessed to determine the desirability of including them as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Although the President's directive does not prohibit an agency from taking, supporting or allowing an action which would adversely affect wild and scenic values of a river in the Inventory, each agency is responsible for studying, developing and describing all reasonable alternatives before acting, and for avoiding and mitigating adverse effects on f rivers identified in the Inventory. Where agency action could effectively foreclose the designation of a wild, scenic, or recreational river segment, the President has directed the agency to consult with HCRS. It is difficult to restore a river and its immediate environment once its wild and scenic qualities have been lost. The purpose of this consultation requirement, which is meant to be part of the normal environmental analysis process, is to provide the opportunity for HCRS experts to assist other agencies in meeting program objectives without irreparably damaging potential wild, scenic, and recreational river areas. Consultation with HCRS should encourage better planning at an early sta~e in order to reduce resource management contlicts or to avoid them altogether. The '-- consultation requirement also provides an opportunity to seek early resolution of problems by policy-level officials if necessary. Completed portions of the Nationwide Inventory -- those for the Eastern half of the country -- were sent to you from HCRS Director Chris T. De1aporte on November 13, 1979. Forthcoming portions of the Inventory will be transmitted as - they are completed. You should ensure that the list of rivers in the Inventory and the attached procedures receive wide distribution in your agency. Copies of orders, guidance, or memoranda which you use to adopt or to transmit the attached procedures within your agency should be sent to the Council on Environmental Quality (Attention: Larry Williams) and to the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Study Group (Attention: Jack Hauptman, HCRS, 440 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20243). /J~~ Gus Speth Chairman. f f Attachment . -~.~.'"^..