Wild and Scenic Rivers

• Identify named, free flowing rivers and streams
  • Boundary to boundary review of all named streams on the Blue Mountains National Forests. The extent of the study process will be limited to evaluation of the named rivers and streams that were not previously evaluated in past systematic inventories and those with changed circumstances.
  • “Free-flowing” means existing or flowing in a natural condition without impoundment, divers, straightening, riprapping or other modification of the waterway.
• Establish a framework for evaluating Outstandingly Remarkable Values and evaluate rivers and streams for ORVs
  • Outstandingly Remarkable Value: a river-related value that is a unique, rare or exemplary feature that is significant when compared with similar values from other rivers at a regional or national scale.
  • ORVs include scenery, recreation, geology, fish, wildlife, historic and cultural values and other similar river-related values.
  • Region of comparison: scale used to support a meaningful, consistent evaluation and understand the value’s significance.
• Determine potential classification (wild, scenic, recreational)
  • Wild – generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially undeveloped and waters unpolluted.
  • Scenic – shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and shorelines largely undeveloped but accessible in places by roads
  • Recreational – readily accessible by road that may have some development along shorelines and provide a unique recreational opportunity
• Document findings and interim protections for eligible rivers and streams
  • After the eligibility study is complete, locations, maps and descriptions of ORVs and potential classifications are summarized and included in the Land Management Plan EIS. As part of the proposed action, interim protections will be developed under the land management plan revision analysis process to protect those rivers and streams that have been determined eligible.

The Land Management Plan Revision Process does not designate any river or river section as a Wild and Scenic River. Congress reserves the right to designate Wild and Scenic Rivers. 

The Malheur and Umatilla National Forests will be deferring suitability until after the Land Management Plan Revision Process. In 1996, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest completed the suitability study, and three rivers (Dutch Flat Creek, East Eagle Creek, and Five Points Creek) were identified as suitable for Wild and Scenic River designation. Any rivers or streams determined eligible through the current Land Management Plan Revision effort will not change any findings in the previously completed suitability study.

Between 2005 and 2009 the Blue Mountains National Forests conducted systematic inventories of named streams and rivers including those identified in an appeal decision and agreements with American Rivers and the Oregon Rivers Council. In 2010, the three Forests reviewed their full documentation regarding eligibility and suitability of all perennial streams and rivers located within the planning area. During this review:

• The Malheur National Forest identified one river (Lake Creek) as eligible
• The Umatilla National Forest determined eleven rivers (Bear Creek, Butte Creek, West Fork Butte Creek, Desolation Creek, Lookingglass Creek, North Fork Desolation Creek, North Fork Weneha River, South Fork Weneha River, Sheep Creek, South Fork Desolation Creek and Tucannon River) as eligible.
• In 1996, the Wallowa Whitman National Forest also completed evaluations on eleven rivers to satisfy an agreement with American Rivers and Oregon Rivers Council. These rivers were studied for their potential eligibility and suitability as wild, scenic, and recreation rivers. The results were documented in two final legislative environmental impact statements (FLEIS). Based on the analysis in the two FLEIS, three rivers (Dutch Flat Creek, East Eagle Creek, and Five Points Creek) were identified as suitable for Wild and Scenic River designation.