This webpage serves as a guide to help introduce you to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as well as providing links to resources that will help you further your knowledge as WSR managers and partners. The page includes information about the study process, evaluating water resources, developing a Comprehensive River Management Plan, and managing Wild and Scenic Rivers. We owe a HUGE thanks to Jackie Diedrich for leading the development of this webpage.
How RMS supports WSR designation and protection
The River Management Society is uniquely positioned to provide WSR managers with information about the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, including training opportunities. RMS staff have years of high-quality work experience with each of the four federal WSR-administering agencies and the Interagency WSRs Coordinating Council. Through our River Training Center (RTC), RMS offers both online and in-person training developed and presented by subject matter experts with decades of experience in WSR study and management.
Read on to access five key training subjects and associated tools, webinars and Wild and Scenic Rivers Manager Courses (Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Distance Learning Webinars). This is a 13-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. You are required to register for the courses, but they are free and an incredible resource for managers.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Manager Courses. Below are two modules of a 13-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. Registration is required (at no charge) to view them.
The Wild & Scenic River Study Process (IWSRCC) – This paper explains the wild and scenic river study process for congressionally authorized and agency-identified study rivers.
https://www.rivers.gov/study.php(IWSRCC) – Section 2(a)(ii), 5(d)(1) and 5(a) studies available for review.
Online Resources
Below are two modules of a 13-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. Registration is required (at no charge) to view them.
The WSR Study Process (RMS & IWSRCC Webinar) (72 minutes) with Jim MacCartney (River Manager, National Park Service Wild and Scenic Rivers Program), Cassie Thomas (Program Analyst, Wild and Scenic River Specialist, Park Planning & Special Studies Division and Alaska Coordinator, Hydropower Assistance Program)
Section 7 Flowchart (IWSRCC) – The Council has developed a flowchart to guide practitioners in determining whether a project proposal is a water resources project subject to Section 7.
Below is one of a 13-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. Registration is required (at no charge) to view them.
101 - The Basics Under the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, each river is required to have a Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) written to manage the outstanding river values, water quality, and free flow of the river. Technical Information
Below is one of a 13-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. Registration is required (at no charge) to view them.
Below is one of a 13-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. Registration is required (at no charge) to view them.
(Video: April 1, 2024) Video Chronicles Florida Community's Success Protecting Wekiva River
(2024 Training Series) Registration open for RMS 2024 Wild and Scenic River Training Series
(Article: Aug. 2023): River Network, supported by the USDA Forest Service, has awarded $150,000 to local organizations
(Article: April 2023) New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Gains Additional Acreage
(Article: April 2023) River group looks to boost river safety, stewardship and citizen science on Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River
(2023 Training Series) Registration opens for RMS 2023 Wild and Scenic River Training Series
(Recorded webinars: 2022) Wild and Scenic Rivers Trainings from the 2022 National Wilderness Skills Institute
(Presentation Recording: Oct. 2022) Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes New Cultural Waterways Ordinance
(Article: Sep. 2022) ... Bill Adding Little Manatee River to National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic River System Passes
(Whitepaper: March 2022) Instream Flow Protection Strategies for Wild and Scenic Rivers, A Technical Report of the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council
(Article: June 1, 2022) This Canadian River Just Became a Legal Person
(Article: June 1, 2022) A Historic Chance to Protect America’s Free-Flowing Rivers
(Article: March 1, 2022) Roadblocks on ‘The Oregon Way’ to Protecting State’s Rivers
(Training) Flathead River Group Launches Wild and Scenic River Webinar Series
(NPS Newsletter) The fourth edition of Wild and Scenic River Currents, an annual newsletter designed to share stories about National Park Service wild and scenic rivers and the community of people working to protect and enhance them, is now published.
(Training) RMS Wild and Scenic Webinar Series January - June 2022
(Article Series) Reflections - RMS has partnered with the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council (IWSRCC) to highlight the stories of river managers and their involvement in the development of Comprehensive River Management Plans (CRMPs) in an article series called Reflections.
(Training: May 19, 2021) RMS Wild and Scenic Webinar Series: Outstandingly Remarkable Values
(Article: Feb. 2, 2021) House passes major public lands package
(Article: Jan. 11, 2021) U.S. Forest Service Releases Management Plan For Fossil Creek
(Article: Dec. 22, 2020) Celebrating Little Miami River Success
(Article: Dec. 22, 2020) The Klamath River restoration will be the biggest dam removal in history – but what does this mean for the people who call the river home?
(Article: Dec. 17, 2020) Helen Clough receives Jackie Diedrich Wild and Scenic Rivers Leadership Award
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