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- <;::;; ""- - .'. ~ - The bankS 01 OhIO'S Little Miami River ale popular with blfcl watchers North Dakota The development of a North Da- kota Wild and Scenic Rivers Pro- gram began in 1971. ThaI year the Slate Outdoor Recreation Agency submitted a bill to the North Dakota Legislature for a study of four po- lenlial rivers lot inclusion in such a program. Strong objections 10 the eminent domain powers proposed for a river commission led 10 the measure's defeal. In 1974, the need for Wild and Scenic Rivers legislalion became apparent when several large mdus- trial firms began <;?Jl.presslng inler- est 10 potential damsiles in western North Dakota, especially in the little Missouri River valley. Increased in- terest in the development of coal gasification and electrical genera- tion spurred the North Dakota Leg- islature imo aCllon. In March 1975, Lif!lO Missouri RIVer meanders Ifllough North Dakota the Governor signed the lillie Mis- souri State Scenic River Act. there- by crealing North Dakota's first Stale Scenic River. The law provides thaI the waters or the Lifl1e Missouri River and its tributaries will not be used for in- dustrial purposes. It funher stales Ihat the Little Missouri River shall eXist In a "'ree flowing natural state," which means that Impound- ment, diversion, straightening, or other modifications will not be permilled. The construction of im- poundments for recreational or agri- cultural purposes is permilled on Lltlle Missouri tributaries. A pro- vision In the act also allows for certain ftood control measures. The legIslation established a 9-member LIllie MIssouri River Commission which has advisory aulhOrlty It is expected to make decisions necessary to manage the river and to advise other umts of government in implementing man- agement deciSions Ohio Concern for saving the few qual- Ity streams in Ohio brought about the passage of Ohio's SceniC Rivers Act In 1968 Amended Senate Bill 108 was passed in 1972 10 add the designations "Wild" and "Recrea. tion" to lhe earjier Act The Director of the Ohio Depanmenl of Natural Resources (DNR) has the responsi- bility for studytng and designating stream systems In the State as wild, scenic. or recrealion rivers 000586 The act requires that all State departments, agencies, and political subdivisions in OhiO which plan to build or enlarge any hignway, road. or structure or to modify the chan- nel of any watercourse Within a wild, scenic, or recreation river area must obtain approval of the project from the director of the DNA. This provision assures that projects will not be constructed m a manner Jeopardlzmg the scenic integnty of lhe designated river. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of Ohio also stipulates that a 10- member citizens' advisory counCil be appomted by the director for each river designated under the act. Each council is composed o! rep- resentatives of local government, landowners, local organizations, and other interests in the vicinily of the river. Formal recognition a! wild, see. nlC. and recreation rivers in Ohio brings public appreciation and understanding of these streams' significant qualities which are worthy of preservation. The Lmle Miami River became Ohio's first scenic river In 1969 fol- lowed by the Sandusky River, the Olentangy Alver, and the Cuyahoga RiyeL A portion of the Little Miami became part 01 the NallOnal System in 1973. Designated as wild and scemc are Lillie Beaver Creek (added to the National System in 19751 and the Grand River; the Maumee has been deSignated as sceniC and recreational; and a por- tion of the Stillwaler River has been designated recreational. Ohio's Scenic Rivers Act stipu- lates that streams included in the State system must be free-flowing. Greenvitle Creek and the portion of the Stillwater River deSignated as scenic include low head dams. Op- panenls of lhe inclUSIon of these waters Ifl lne Slale system, by court action, have succeeded in having Ihem "undesignated .. The act, how- ever. IS e:w;.pected to be amended 10 allow streams having low head dams in the State system. . ! I I 13