Wild & Scenic

Wild and Scenic Deters LNG Plan

Recently, there have been articles in the local newspapers recounting the latest decision by the National Park Service to declare the proposal to site an LNG terminal at Weaver’s Cove as inconsistent with the Taunton Wild and Scenic River Designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. (See links below). Through the efforts of the local congressional delegation at both the state and federal levels, the Taunton River was officially declared a federal “Wild and Scenic River” in 2009. The endeavor to achieve federal recognition for the Taunton River as wild and scenic began over ten years ago, long before the proposed LNG terminal project at Weavers Cove. The fact that it has helped keep such a problematic venture from being realized demonstrates the strength of protection that this designation provides, even in the face of big business and government pressure. Additionally, it illustrates how a Partnership River such as the Taunton River is benefited by the partnership between the National Park Service and the local communities to ensure long-term protection for the outstandingly remarkable values of the river.

Through federal Wild and Scenic Designation, this type of community-based protection can be afforded the Westport River as well. Local, state, and regional representatives from numerous groups, including the public, will come together as a council and will choose the outstanding resource values that best fit the river. These uses will then become the foundation on which a management plan will be established. The National Park Service, as a partner and advisor, will consider the recommendations of this council and provide support in the way of technical, scientific, and monetary assistance.

It will be interesting to watch, as the Westport River Designation Project moves ahead, how the Taunton River Stewardship Council manages the inevitable challenges that they will face concerning not only the designated uses, but the designation itself. It will be wise of us to take note of the issues that they will deal with and how they are handled, and use this information as we go forward. To this end, the Westport River Project will be a deliberate, observable process, utilizing all available resources, which will endeavor to serve not only the River, but the community as well.

Links:

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100519/PUB02/5190360/1041

http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/136060.html?content_source=&category_id=1,6&search_filter=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=&town_id=12

http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x1381050368/National-Park-Service-deals-major-blow-to-Hess-LNG

http://www.heraldnews.com/opinions/our_view/x1070026681/OUR-VIEW-Wild-river-no-place-for-LNG

Welcome to the Wild and Scenic River Designation Project

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes. (Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968)

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection.

Designation neither prohibits development nor gives the federal government control over private property. Recreation, agricultural practices, residential development, and other uses may continue.

There are a number of rivers in New England that have been designated as Wild and Scenic:

Maine

Allagash River-1970; 92.5 miles

Massachusetts

Westfield River-1993/2004; 78.1 miles

Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers-1999; 29 miles

Taunton River-2009; 40 miles

New Hampshire

Lamprey River-1996/2000; 23.5 miles

Wildcat Brook-1988; 14.5 miles

Connecticut

Eightmile River-2008; 25.3 miles

Farmington River-West Branch-1994; 14 miles

These rivers are considered Partnership Rivers. Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers are a subset of the national system. While most of the 160 rivers in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System flow through federal lands such as National Forests or National Parks, Wild and Scenic Partnership Rivers flow through private lands and lands owned by state and local governments.

National Park Service staff help communities manage their river-related resources locally by bringing together state, county, and community representatives to preserve the outstanding and remarkable values for which the rivers were designated. This is community-based conservation that will ensure these rivers will remain outstanding long into the future.