The Wild and Scenic River Process

Wild and Scenic Rivers

Updated June 2024

The GMUG has identified 22 rivers, streams, and one lake as eligible for Wild and Scenic status, totaling approximately 113 miles. The June 2024 final Record of Decision for the GMUG revised plan adopted the first Wild and Scenic River eligibility study in the GMUG’s history.

Only Congress can designate streams as Wild and Scenic Rivers, but a forest plan may identify segments as eligible for future consideration as suitable. The GMUG’s decision means that the Forest Service will now manage these eligible waterbodies to protect the free-flowing character and identified outstandingly remarkable values until a suitability study is completed.

The final GMUG Wild and Scenic River eligibility study is available in the 2024 GMUG Revised Plan, Appendix 11.

Process	Helpful Resources
Working Draft Eligibility - 2019	Working Draft Eligibility Report Preliminary Report: Regions of Comparison map Initial notes from review of segments Documentation from previous effort The draft report was available for comment from February 19 to March 22, 2019. Comments have been posted in the public reading room.
Revised Draft Eligibility - 2021	Revised Draft Eligibility Report - Appendix 11 of the Draft Forest Plan Planning team notes and deciding official determinations for revised draft eligibility. Public comments and responses for individual segments on the Working Draft Eligibility Report The revised draft eligibility report was published on August 13 2021 as part of the draft Forest Plan and draft EIS package for public comment. Comments have been posted in the public reading room.
Pre-Objections Final Revised Eligibility Report - 2023	Final Revised Eligibility Report - Appendix 11 of the final Forest Plan Draft Record of Decision for GMUG Revised Plan 2022 Process Notes The final pre-objections eligibility reports was publisehd on August 30, 2023 as part of the final forest plan and final EIS package, subject to a 60-day objection period for the public. Objections are available HERE.
Final Eligibility Determinations - 2024	Final Revised Eligibility Report - Appendix 11 of the final Forest Plan Final Record of Decision for GMUG Revised Plan Interactive Storymap 2024 Process Notes
Suitability	A suitability study was not conducted as part of the GMUG Forest Plan revision process. This step can be completed at any future date to determine whether GMUG’s eligible rivers are suitable or not for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. Suitability considerations include the environmental and economic consequences of designation and the manageability of a river if Congress were to designate it. In the meantime, eligible rivers shall be managed to preserve their free-flowing nature and outstanding remarkable values.