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WILD
AND SCENIC RIVERS DESIGNATION
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed in
1968 to balance river development with river protection. To
accomplish this goal, Congress created the Wild and Scenic Rivers
System. The Illinois River was studied in 1979 as a possible
candidate for Wild and Scenic designation. Inclusion as a Wild and
Scenic River does not mean that the river corridor, which
generally includes the land within about 1/4 mile on either side
of the river, is managed in the same way as a national park or
wilderness area. The management goal is, rather, to maintain the
character of the river in its current state and protect or enhance
specific resource values. Existing resource uses may continue
including timber harvest, agriculture and grazing, residential
occupancy, and recreation, and changes in existing use patterns
generally are allowed as long as they do not adversely affect
river corridor values. Federal water projects, including dams, are
specifically prohibited. Once designation is received, the river
is administered by an agency or political subdivision of the
state.
The Wild and
Scenic Study Process:
Rivers that have the potential to be designated within the federal
Wild and Scenic Rivers System go through a study process that is
specified by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and federal guidelines
(47 FR 39454). This process includes an eligibility study and
classification analysis. The purpose of the eligibility study is
to determine if a river meets the minimum requirements for
addition to the national system. In order to be eligible for
addition to the system, a river segment must be free-flowing and
possess one or more "outstandingly remarkable" value
such as geologic, scenic, recreational, fish, wildlife, historic,
ecological, or cultural resources. Eligible rivers are then
classified as either potential "Wild,"
"Scenic," or "Recreational" river segments
based on the level of development present.
Designation and
the Illinois River:
In 1979, by the request of State legislators and stakeholders of
the river, the Illinois River was evaluated for potential
inclusion as a Wild and Scenic River. Important findings from that
study include:
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The Illinois River,
from the Oklahoma state line downstream to the headwaters of
Tenkiller Reservoir, and its two major tributaries, Flint
Creek and Barren (Baron) Fork Creek, qualified to be added to
the national Wild and Scenic River System based eligibility
requirements.
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The Illinois River is
among the top recreation/tourism attractions in its
surrounding region.
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The three streams
support significant agricultural and horticultural practices,
as well as numerous commercial canoe liveries.
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The three streams are
subject to various projects which, while not directly
impacting on the streams, may have an impact on their
aesthetic and environmental values.
Recommendations from the
1979 study suggested that:
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Federal management of
the streams is not recommended. Instead, a state agency, such
as the Oklahoma Scenic River s Commission, administer the
qualified stream segments.
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At this time, it is
not recommended that any of the qualified stream segments be
added to the System until a management plan is in place and
functioning effectively.
While the 1979 study showed that the Illinois River has great
potential to be a river of national significance, it also showed
that the future of the river was not known because of the lack of
a river management plan.
With the completion of the Illinois River Management Plan, the
future option of pursuing federal designation for the river is
possible. The decision to pursue inclusion in the National Wild
and Scenic System would necessitate a broad-based support by the
communities near the river and the people who care about the
river's future.
For additional information about the Illinois River Management
Plan, please contact us at 918.456.3251 or
osrc@fullnet.net.
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