managing a wild and scenic river - the wild and scenic rivers act and comprehensive management plans...
TRANSCRIPT
Managing a Wild and Scenic River
The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act
and Comprehensive River Management Plans
derived from the Interagency
Wild & S cenic R ivers C oordinating C ouncil
Today’s Instructors
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Randy Welsh Wild and Scenic Rivers Program Lead – WO FS [email protected] 202-205-9333
Sid Woods Wild and Scenic Rivers/ Bridger-Teton NF [email protected] Xxx-xxx-xxxx
Desired Outcomes What will be different… B asic Understanding WS R A
C lear Management Implications
G uidance for Decis ion Makers re: Proposed Projects
C ontents/E lements of C R MP
OR V’s
Mapping
Practices Detailed R iver C orridor B oundary
Protect/E nhance Mandate: effect on existing activities
E valuating Proposed Activities on Federal Lands
Course Content Intent of WS R A Key Provis ions C R MP’s B aseline Descriptions B oundaries C apacity C onundrum Proof in the P udding (monitoring)
Audience Q and A
Pre-Test
• What do you already know about WSR’s?
• Please answer the 10 questions.
Intent of WSRA
To complement the national policy of dam and other construction
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12,597 river miles protected under WSRA
< 1% of rivers designated
860,000 river miles dammed, dredged or channelized
24% of rivers affected
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
Designated Wildand Scenic Rivers
Nationwide RiversInventory
Dammed,Channelized &
Dredged
Total
Miles 12,597 84,634 860,000 3,500,000
America's Rivers
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Intent of WSRA
To protect and enhance…
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Free-Flowing Condition
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Water Quality
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Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs)
Overview of WSRA
• 1(b) – Policy • 2(a) and 2(a)(ii) – System • 2(b) – Classification • 3 – Plan • 6 – Acquisition • 7(a) – Water Resources
Projects • 8(a) - Withdrawals
Overview of WSRA
• 9(a) - Minerals • 10 – Management Direction • 11(b)(1) - Assistance • 12 – Management Policies • 13 – Jurisdictions
Declaration of Policy S ection 1(b)
“…declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers… …be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
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Intent of WSRA
Protect and Enhance:
• Free-Flowing Condition
• Water Quality • ORVs
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Declaration of Policy S ection 1(b)
Protect Values Free-flowing C ondition
Water Quality
OR Vs
Define OR Vs G uide Future Management Actions
B asis for C orridor B oundary
B aseline for Monitoring
S cenic R ecreational G eologic Fish and Wildlife Historic C ultural Other S imilar Values
River Classification Section 2(b)
• Wild
• Scenic
• Recreational
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River Classification
Wild
River Classification
Scenic
River Classification
Recreational
Classification S ection 2(b)
Three C lasses Wild, S cenic and R ecreational
Describes Type/Intensity of E xisting Development
Framework for Future Land Management Activities
Protections in S ec. 7(a) and 10(a) Independent of C lass ification
Existing Rights S ection 12(b)
E xisting R ights or Privileges on Federal Lands cannot cause degradation of values below conditions at time of des ignation.
Boundary S ections 3(b)and (c)
B ank-to-B ank Unacceptable
OR Vs - B as is for E stablishment
Does Not Need to be Marked On-the-G round
P ublish Notice of Availability in Federal R egister
E ffective 90 Days After Transmittal to C ongress
Management Direction S ection 10(a)
Protect and E nhance Nondegradation/E nhancement Policy
Protect by E liminating Adverse E ffects
E nhance by Improving C onditions
P ublic R ecreation/Us e Must Not Adversely Impact/Degrade Values
Management of WSRs in Wilderness
S ection 10(b)
More R estrictive Provis ions
Note the language in some wild corridors in wilderness; i.e., to manage as a wild river. This is typically done to allow uses or facilities inconsistent with Wilderness Act (e.g. on-river motorized use on the Rogue, Salmon WSRs).
Management Plan S ections 3(d)(1) and (d)(2)
1986 G eneric Amendment
R equires C omprehensive R iver Management Plan OR Vs, G oals , Des ired C onditions
Land/Facility Development
User C apacities
Water Quality and Instream Flow
C ollaborative Approach
R egulatory Authorities
Monitoring
Management Plan S ections 3(d)(1) and (d)(2)
Programmatic Plan National E nvironmental Policy Act
(NE PA)
Developed Within/Amend Agency Plans
P ublish Notice of Availability in Federal R egister
WSRs Administered by NPS and US FWS
S ection 10(c)
Apply Most R estrictive Provis ions
Use G eneral S tatutory Authorities
WSRs Administered by US FS
S ection 10(d)
Use G eneral S tatutory Authorities
R equires S pecial-Use Permits for C ommercial G uide S ervices
5(d)(1) rivers have agency interim management guidelines
Cooperative Agreements S ection 10(e)
E ncourages Federal-S tate Partnerships
Authority to E ffect Written C ooperative Agreements
Federal Assistance S ection 11(b)(1)
Authorizes Technical Ass istance and Limited Financial Ass istance
Applies Within and Proximate to Designated WS R
Water Resources Projects S ection 7(a)
Administering Agency R esponsible
FE R C Facilities Prohibited
Other WR Ps E valuated Under “Direct and Adverse” S tandard
WR Ps B elow, Above or Tributary E valuated Under “Invade or Unreasonably Diminish” S tandard
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Standards for Evaluation of a Water Resources Project
Proposed hydropower facilities (FERC-licensed)
Outside the WSR Corridor (upstream, downstream or
tributary) On or directly affecting
Proposed hydropower facilities (FERC-licensed)
Invade the area or unreasonably diminish
Invade the area or unreasonably diminish
Direct and adverse affects
Within the WSR Corridor
Other proposed federally assisted WRPs
Other proposed federally assisted WRPs
To Scenic, Recreational, Fish and Wildlife Values
To Free Flow, Water Quality, and ORV’s
WRP3 assisted by
federal agency
WRP2 licensed by Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC)
Evaluative Standard
Evaluative Standard
Standard’s application
Evaluation
Requirements of Standard
WRP licensed or assisted
by federal agency
Evaluative Standard
Act Requirements
Act Requirements
Act Requirements
Evaluation
Requirements of Standard
Water Resources Project (WRP) within a WSR (“Within” Flowchart)
Water Resources Project (WRP) outside a WSR (“Outside” Flowchart)
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Adverse effects Adverse effects - avoidance measures
No adverse effects
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Section 7 Outcomes
Management Policies S ection 12(a)
Direction to Other Federal Agencies
Activities Within or Proximate
Water Pollution S ection 12(c)
C ooperate with E PA/S tate
E nforcement Through E PA/S tate
Fish and Wildlife J urisdiction
S ection 13(a)
Preserves S tate R ole
Partner with S tate
Federal Reservation Of Water
S ection 13(c) and 13(e)
E stablishes a Federal R eserved Water R ight
Quantity Necessary to Achieve Purposes
Describe OR V Dependency on Flow in C R MP
Interstate C ompacts Unaffected (13(e))
Navigable Rivers S ection 13(f)
S tate’s R ights Unaffected
Partner with S tate to Protect
C onsult with Legal C ounsel R egulating Use C onsidered
Easements and ROW S ection 13(g)
E asements on Federal Lands S ubject to C onditions to Protect Values
E valuate In-C hannel C omponent of E asement Proposal as WR P
References
DOI and US DA Interagency G uidelines – Fed. R eg., Vol. 47, No. 173; S ept. 7, 1982
Agency Direction B LM Manual 8351
Forest S ervice Manual 2354
NPS Working on G uidance
IWS R C C G uidance
Crystal Creek Slide
Largest Mass Movement in U.S. In Last Decade
Case study ORVs
Scenic ORV
• River Related or River Dependent: River-related scenery is considered views of the river and its immediate environs and/or scenes from the river of distant landscapes where the river factors into the foreground view.
• Regional or National Context – The greater Yellowstone ecosystem is uniquely identifiable from scenery across the nation or internationally.
• Rare – The scenery represents an example of views that are uncommon within the national context.
• Unique – The scenery represents a singular example of views within the regional or national context (Red/lavender hills
• Exemplary – The scenery represents a conspicuous example among other similar views within the regional or national context.
Scenic?
Recreation ORV
Recreation
Boundary Drawing Breakout Session
Case Study Goals
Existing rights/ privileges
• Outfitter permits • WGFD elk
management areas • Rights-of-way • Minerals • Private lands
Grazing permits Breakout session
• Sheep and cattle
allotments • Forest Plan direction • Meeting non-degradation
standard
Desired Conditions • Not all Goals or
Objectives can be achieved in same places
• Desired Condition descriptions create management zones
• Zones coupled with differing management standards
Desired Conditions case study
• Desired Future Condition 3: River Recreation (outside Wns)
• Eligible WSR segments protected from activities that could diminish free-flow, water quality, or values making them eligible.
Desired Future Condition zones B-C-D
Management Emphasis
• All designated river segments will be managed to protect and enhance their outstandingly remarkable values (described in detail in applicable Comprehensive River Management Plan), free-flowing condition, and water quality for future generations. This protection, defined as a non-degradation standard, derives from a baseline of developments, conditions and ecosystem functions present at the time of designation.
“Experience” zones River classification correlation
• B: ready access from highway and developed boating and camping facilities; high numbers of visitors and large group sizes
Experience zones, contd
• C: Boat launches primitive, campgrounds few, opportunities for dispersed camping and day use, smaller groups.
• D: wild rivers, located outside of designated Wilderness or Wilderness Study Areas (WSA)
Case study: experience not = class • Hoback River • Recreational class • Paved scenic byway • Small campground • Limited dispersed
camping • Short on-river
season • Developments on
private land
Management Direction
• Scenery Management Guideline: Management practices should maintain a high level of scenic integrity…Changes in visual character resulting from natural processes…should only be modified where necessary to provide for public safety or to maintain critical infrastructure.
Standards by zone Resource Area
DFC 3B
DFC 3C
DFC 3D DFC 6/6S
Dispersed Camping
None allowed in corridor during the high use season, between May 1 and Labor Day.
Allowed except where seasonally prohibited. All vehicles at dispersed campsites shall remain outside a 100’ setback from waterways; Hitching, tethering or picketing pack and saddle stock shall remain outside 200’ lake and 100’ stream setbacks.
Hitching, tethering or picketing pack and saddle stock shall remain outside 200’ lake and 100’ stream setbacks.
Land/Facilities Development Resource Area
DFC 3B
DFC 3C
DFC 3D DFC 6/6S
Recreation Facilities and Structures
No new campgrounds; other facilities may be approved, appropriate to setting; enhancements of existing facilities are allowed.
New and existing developed sites, river access, trailhead facilities, interpretive sites are allowed appropriate to setting. Facilities that might result in a more developed classification would not be allowed.
No facilities allowed, although minimal structures such as bear poles may be installed to protect identified values.
Monitoring
Indicators
Variables that can be measured to track change in conditions caused by human activity
Indicator Criteria and Purpose
Meaningful
• Sensitive • Responsive
Reliable
• Objective • Repeatable
Feasible
• Cost effective • Baseline data available • Minimum impact
Focus data collection efforts
Translate desired character into something measurable
Track trends in conditions over time
Evaluate effectiveness of management
Thresholds
Scientific vs. social tipping points Thresholds should be informed by science, but setting amounts is a value-based decision
Determining the Measure: based on management experience, academic literature, scientific research, law and policy, and other sources thresholds may vary across river segments according to the desired conditions established for each
Threshold amount will trigger management action to address negative trends in indicator measurements
Visitor Capacity
• Merced River: Court direction • Evaluate impacts of existing
infrastructure/ policies: not a given baseline
• Thresholds trigger action before degradation occurs
Merced River • Yosemite experience: • Visitor numbers already creating impacts • Indicators and thresholds • Set numbers above point of likely
degradation
Snake River
• Effort at determining capacity consistent with threat to river values
• Discuss but set no current limits on low-use areas
• Behavior changes can be more effective than numeric limits
• Incorporate existing numeric decisions if effective at protection
Collaboration
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Additional Resources IWSRCC
www.rivers.gov
River Management Society www.river-management.org
River Network www.rivernetwork.org
WSRA Intent
C omplement National Policy of Dam and Other C onstruction
Protect and E nhance: Free-flowing C ondition
Water Quality
OR Vs
E stablish Process to Add R ivers to the National S ystem
Managing: Key Points
3-Fold Purpose
B oundary R equired
C R MP
S ec. 7(a)
S ec. 10(a)
S ec. 12(a)
Help
Acknowledgements Interagency Wild & Scenic
Rivers Coordinating Council
rivers.gov River Management Society
river-management.org
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