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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 0'00654 OUTDOOR RECREATION, BUREAU OF WATER AND RELATED LAND RESOURCES PROGRAM IN THE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN Corps of Engineers Metro Studies The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation is to assist the Corps of Engineers by providing study leadership in coordinating the overall leisure time planning effort by these metropolitan area studies, This will include identifying needs and problems and solutions in optimizing leisure time opportunities, Wild and Scenic River Studies The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542) established a national wild and scenic rivers system to protect free-flowing rivers for their "out- standing scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife historic and cul- tural values," The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation carries out the Interior Secretary's responsibility for studying 18 of the 27 "study" rivers to determine:. (1) if they qualify for inclusion in the system; (2) what lands are needed to preserve the rivers' free-flowing character and to enable optimum public use and enjoy- ment; and (3) the most appropriate form of administration, The secretary reports the findings to the President and the Congress and recommends whether or not the river should be included in the wild and scenic rivers system, Rivers are added to the system by federal legislation or, if the river is to be state-administered, by the Secretary of the interior upon application by the state governor. National Trail System Studies The National Trail System encourages the establishment of trails to foster public enjoyment and appreciation of the "open-air, outdoor areas of the Nation" in the same manner the Wild and Scenic Rivers System encourages the protection of free-flowing rivers. The 1968 National Trails System Act (Public Law 90-453) established a National Trails System with two types of trails: scenic trails, generally long-distance hiking routes with national or historical significance; and recreation trails which may be any length and used for multiple recreation purposes. National scenic trails are designated only by the Congress, while national recreation trails may be designated by the Interior Secretary or, on lands administered by the Department of Agriculture, the Agriculture Secretary, Two national scenic trails--the 2,015-mile Appalachian Trail in the east and the 2,400-mile Pacific Crest Trail in the west--were designated by the Act and 14 more were named for study as possible additions. Responsibility for studying these 14 has been delegated to the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. As in the case of river studies, the Secretary reports study findings and recom- mendations to the President and the Congress, -23-