Federal Protection and Preservation of Wild and Scenic Rivers Is Slow and Costly

In 1968, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act established the policy that certain rivers which possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreation, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values should be preserved in free-flowing condition and protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The act designated 8 rivers as components of a national wild and scenic rivers system and provided for expansion through legislation following studies of other wild and scenic rivers by the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior and for the addition of state-administered wild and scenic rivers.