PWSR Toolkit Home > Designate > Designation Management

What are some suggestions for post-designation management councils?

Once the post-designation management councils are established for Wild and Scenic Rivers, there are many ways to keep committee members engaged. Engaging jobs could include council roles such as secretary or treasurer, budget management, tracking of the cooperative agreement with a government agency such as the National Park Service, providing advice and coordinating with local level, state, and federal governments, liaising with local partners, stakeholders and landowners, and developing and implementing annual work plans.

Should any conflict arise with councils and their partners the establishment of the management plan prior to designation ensures priorities and balance. The building of relationships with stakeholders that began during the study process can continue to facilitate river management after designation.

See the Improving Relevancy, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion section on the Designation Benefits page for ways that post-designation councils are reaching out and include a variety of stakeholders in their river management efforts.

How are management plans (CRMPs) successfully updated?

Typically, Comprehensive River Management Plans (CRMPs) should be reviewed and updated when necessary.  Often, rivers set a regular schedule for their review with a general rule of thumb being every 5 years.  

The post-designation Management Council would be expected to carry out regular review and updates to the Management Plan. Study Committees can recommend a timeline for this review and updating of the Management Plan, which typically occur every five years post-designation due to the constantly changing nature of the regulations, technology, plans, and community goals within the area. Since Management Plans are the recommended actions for river management, how they are to be revised is often included in the plan itself. Commonly, if the post-designation Management Council proposes a major or significant revision to the Management Plan a full review process may occur, such as that prior to the adoption of the Management Plan with a public review and comment period on the draft followed by adoption by the locally appointed Wild and Scenic Management Council.

All Wild and Scenic Rivers require CRMPs. This presentation discusses updating management plans for WSRs.

All Wild and Scenic River Management Plans are available on rivers.gov and Partnership WSRs post them on their websites as well.

Topics in the Designate Section