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Welcome to the Partnership Wild and Scenic Toolkit

Developed by the National Park Service and the River Management Society, this toolkit is your guide to Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. Whether you're exploring designation, conducting a study, or managing a designated river, you'll find step-by-step guidance, examples, templates, and other practical resources to support your work.

Explore Study Designate

Choose Explore if you're new to the Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers system, exploring designation, or working toward study legislation.

Choose Study if you are ready to conduct a PWSR river study and write a river management plan.

Choose Designate if you’d like to know more about the implementation of designation of a PWSR.

What is a Partnership Wild and Scenic River?

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System LogoThe National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Out of a desire to also protect a broader range of rivers in private ownership with a more community-based approach, some Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs) have been designated through the partnership model. These Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers (PWSRs) are managed through locally-driven, collaborative planning between local, state and regional stakeholders, and the National Park Service (NPS). This approach is an effective alternative to federal administration that provides national river protection through a collaborative approach where communities protect their unique rivers and its resources.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Excerpt

 

Out of a desire to also protect a broader range of rivers in private or shared ownership using a more community-based approach, Congress amended the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, first in the late 1970s and again later, to limit federal land acquisition and mandate cooperative federal, state, and local planning conservation efforts. This history is captured in Volume 25, Number 2 (2008) of The George Wright Forum. These changes allowed the first Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers (PWSRs) to be designated. Under the Partnership model, rivers are managed by locally-driven, collaborative planning between local, state and regional stakeholders and the National Park Service (NPS). This management approach to river conservation is an effective alternative to direct federal management and administration. Designation provides river protection under the WSR Act, anchored by federal protection for the water course itself and supported by limited federal funding. Read about the first 20 years of success of this management model.  The Great Egg Harbor River (NJ, 129 miles, designated in 1992) was the first PWSR designated. This PWSR was designated for its outstanding resources which included threatened and endangered species; resting, breeding, and feeding areas for waterfowl; rich history; recreation and scenic vistas. More information may be found in the NPS WSR Storymap.

 

Explore Section

Interested in learning about the wild and scenic river study bill process? The Explore section will take you through the process, from learning about partnership rivers to requesting a congressional study. As all rivers are unique, please note that these steps can vary from river to river in sequence and length of time.

1. Learn about the Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Program 4. Document Community Support
2. Build Your Team 5. Navigating Congressional Engagement
3. Initiate Outreach Links and Resources

 

 Study Section

Ready to consider study legislation? The Study section outlines the process for passage of study authorization legislation, development of a Comprehensive River Management Plan, and introduction of designation legislation. Resources include sample timelines, links to management plans and Congressional reports, information on identifying the outstanding values of the river, and the public engagement necessary to complete the study process.

PWSR Study Overview Outreach and Public Engagement
Funding and Cooperative Agreements Local Endorsements
Starting Your Study NPS WSR Study Report
Eligibility and Suitability Assessments Designation Bill Introduction in Congress
River Management Plan Links and Resources

 

 Designate Section

Just had a river designated? The Designate section provides partnership managers and partners information on the benefits of designation, forming a post-designation committee, forming a post-designation management council and their work plans, funding, innovative approaches to management, and success stories and innovation.

Designation Process Funding
Designation Implementation Designation Benefits
Management of Designation Links and Resources