jlRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 13, 1967
OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN WAYNE N. ASPINALL 2313 RAYBURN BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
ASPINALL INTRODUCE
A bill proposing a "National Scenic Rivers System"
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has been introduced
in the House of Representatives by Congressman Wayne N. Aspinall, Chairman of the House Interior Coamittee.
Aspinall' s bill r,:::oposes formation of a "National Scenic Rivers System including: ---immediate designation of three rivers and three tributaries of a fourth
river as components of a National Scenic River System.
---20 rivers designated as candidates for inclusion in the system. These rivers would be protected for a five year period until study and action on them could be co111Pleted.
---authorization for the Secretary of Interior to submit studies and recolllllenda-tions to Congress regarding other rivers which could be added to the system.
---Authorization for the Secretary of Interior to approve the addition of rivers and surrounding areas to the system by state legislatures. States would then provide the maintenance and upkeep of the areas so added.
Aspinall said his bill contains some controversial sections,:but said these can only be worked out after hearings are held on the legislation.
Six categories of rivers and river areas would be included in the system: 1. Wild Rivers---free flowing rivers within wilderness areas to be managed in accordance with concepts in the Wilderness Act.
2. Natural Environment Rivers---Rivers in their natural state to which access may be facilitated. Compatible resources uses could be permitted.
3. Pastoral rivers---Rivers in agricultural or dispersed activity areas on
which land uses would be maintained primarily as they were at the time of designation.
4. Historical and Cultural Rivers.
5. Historic and Ch~tural River areas---sites along rivers which would be preserved for their beauty or for their natural or historical value.
6. High Density Use Areas---These areas would probably undergo substantial alteration of the environment to provide facilities for outdoor recreation.
$6.5 million is provided for land acquisition.
Portions of these rivers would become part of the system initially: The Rogue, Oregon; The Rio Grande, New Mexico; Salmon River, Idaho; Selway Lochsa and Mi,dle Fork, all tributaries of the Clearwater, Idaho.
ASPINALL SCENIC RIVERSZ-2-2-2-2-
2-2-2-2-2-Portions of the following rivers have been named as candidates for inclusion in the system:
The Cacapon, West Virginia; Chattooga, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia; Delaware River, Pensylvania and New York; Eleven Point River, Arkansas and Missouri; The Green, Wyoming; Guadalupe, Tex,; The Illinois River, Oregon;
the Klamath River, California; The Niobrara, Nebraska;
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The Penobscot River, Maine; The Pere Marquette River , Michigan; th~
Pine Creek, Pennsylvania; The Saint Croix River, Minnesota and Wisconsin; the Shenandoah, West Virginia; The Skagit River, Washington; The Susquehanna River, New York and Pennsylvania; the Suwannee, Georgia and Florida; and the Upper Iowa, Iowa.
