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 recently established 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 previously recorded WSR webinars as well as learning about or scheduling training through the RTC for your organization. You will see links to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Distance Learning Webinars. This is a 12-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. Check out the RMS Video Training Channel for additional WSR resources and previous training opportunities.
(From Rivers.gov) The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection.
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes. - Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968
(From Rivers.gov) Rivers may be designated by Congress or, if certain requirements are met, the Secretary of the Interior. Each river is administered by either a federal or state agency. Designated segments need not include the entire river and may include tributaries. For federally administered rivers, the designated boundaries generally average one-quarter mile on either bank in the lower 48 states and one-half mile on rivers outside national parks in Alaska in order to protect river-related values.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Distance Learning Webinars (This is a 12-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. You are required to register (free) and log in to view for these courses.)
Introduction to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (RMS RTC) – An introduction to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and system, including its genesis, history and key provisions, is typically presented as the beginning of each content-based course. Participants gain insight into the key figures, social, environmental and political influences that led to the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Key protections, designation process and management requirements under the act are also reviewed with national and local river examples.
1-day Workshop (can customize for ½ day sessions)
Content is designed for agency staff, stakeholders, students and other interested groups.
For more information or to schedule a workshop please email [email protected].
Overview of the WSR Act (RMS & USFS) - This course presents agency responsibilities for managing designated WSRs. Prepared by Randy Welsh (WO, Forest Service) and Brian Goldberg & Sid Woods (Bridger-Teton National Forest, Forest Service)
Online Resources
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)
BLM Distance Learning Webinars (This is a 12-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. You are required to register (free) and log in to view for these courses.)
Conducting a WSR Study (RMS RTC ) – This course is designed for resource area administrators, resource planners and river advocates who are planning a river inventory analysis or working on a public review of river suitability for Wild and Scenic River designation. The course reviews legislative requirements and agency guidance for assessing river eligibility under the WSR Act including hands-on activities for compiling relevant information on free-flowing status, outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs) and water quality parameters. The course reviews procedural and real-world examples of agency and stakeholder review processes for WSR study of agency identified and congressionally authorized study rivers including public engagement, NEPA, reporting and documentation. Materials on management requirements and resource protection for WSR study rivers is also presented.
2-day Workshop (available on-site or virtually)
Content is designed for agency staff, resource area administrators, resource planners and river advocates .
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.
BLM Distance Learning Webinars (This is a 12-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. You are required to register (free) and log in to view for these courses.)
Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (RMS RTC) – This course provides transportation, regulatory and WSR administering agency officials with key concepts about proposed transportation and infrastructure projects proposed on WSRs. Participants will increase their understanding of Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; learn how Section 7 determinations are synchronized with other environmental reviews, such as the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act; and increase their knowledge about delivery of Section 7 compliant projects. The course content covers activities exempt from Section 7 review; consultation and coordination among transportation, regulatory and river-administering agency officials; and designing or modifying projects to comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The knowledge acquired will help participants ensure transportation and infrastructure projects are completed in a timely manner without significant additional costs and achieve greater protection of Wild and Scenic River values.
2-day Workshop (available on-site or virtually)
Content is designed for agency staff, resource area administrators, resource planners and river advocates.
BLM Distance Learning Webinars (This is a 12-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. You are required to register (free) and log in to view for these courses.)
Developing a Comprehensive River Management Plan (RMS RTC) – Designed to assist a WSR-administering agency and its partners in developing a framework and plan for preparing or revising a comprehensive river management plan (CRMP) for a congressionally designated Wild and Scenic River. Instructors work with planning team to customize course materials on WSR management objectives, boundary assessment, stakeholder engagement, threats and best practices to protect outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs), recreation management and other content specific to the river. Course typically includes a field visit to the project river to experience and better understand key issues to be addressed in the plan.
4-day Workshop (available on-site or virtually)
Course is suitable for WSR managers, planners, resource area administrators, stakeholders and interdisciplinary team (IDT) members engaged in preparing or revising a WSR CRMP.
BLM Distance Learning Webinars (This is a 12-module course covering history, policies, management and monitoring of WSRs. You are required to register (free) and log in to view for these courses.)
Managing a Wild and Scenic River (RMS RTC) – Designed for resource managers, management partners and river advocates, this two-day workshop introduces participants to the protection requirements and approaches to managing wild and scenic rivers. Course reviews the history of the Act, core principles, management planning requirements, watershed planning, user capacities, water-resource project assessment and fire management considerations. Basic overview of Comprehensive River Management Planning process, WSR boundary establishment, Section 7 review procedures for water resource projects and river eligibility and suitability analysis procedures are introduced.
2-day Workshop (available on-site or virtually)
Course is suitable for new WSR managers, planners and others responsible for or partnering in the management of Federally designated wild and scenic rivers or considering designation.
For more information or to schedule a workshop please email[email protected].
Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Toolkit
Partnership Rivers are managed by locally-driven, collaborative planning between local, state and regional stakeholders and the National Park Service (NPS). This and management approach to river conservation is an effective alternative to direct federal management and administration that provides nationally-designated river protection anchored by federal protection for the water course itself and supported by federal funding. The PWSR Toolkit is designed to provide resources for anyone interested in Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers at any stage of discovery. Will you use it as a reference guide for the Wild and Scenic designation, a how-to guide for understanding and completing a Study, or a cookbook for post-designation success? The path you choose is up to you!
WSR Happenings
(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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