The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act at 50: Managers’ views of actions, barriers and partnerships

Abstract

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA) provides a high level of protection for free flowing rivers in the United States. Yet more than 50 years after its passage, there is little research exploring management of resources under the Act, including across agencies or private partners managing protected rivers. The research presented here used a mixed-method approach consisting of quantitative rankings and interviews to explore river manager and partner perspectives about the most pressing management actions and barriers for continued river management under the WSRA in concert with the 50th anniversary of the Act. We also explore the role of public-private partnerships in continued management of protected rivers. Our approach consisted of a national sample and replicates a similar effort conducted in concert with the 30th anniversary of the WSRA, providing a unique longitudinal perspective. Results indicate that a continued lack of public understanding or support for Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs), a need for dedicated agency funds to manage rivers once designated, and additional guidance about flexibly interpreting WSRA provisions as highly prioritized barriers or future actions. Qualitative results illuminate the importance of public partnerships in garnering political support for additional WSR management resources, key needs for manager exchanges or mentorship programs given the retirement of experienced WSR professionals, and the importance of organized, but varied private partnerships in planning or management of rivers across different regions of the United States. We conclude by discussing next steps for systematically gauging appreciation for WSRs among segments of the public, expanding understandings of the unique benefits associated with WSR designation, and further development of agency-public partnership templates surrounding designated river management. Management implications: Our results suggest the following management opportunities associated with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA): • Needs for research surrounding expanded support for Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs), including unique resource protections. • Distinguishing WSRs from other protected areas by highlighting flexibility and breadth under the WSRA. • Development of intra- and interagency mentorships or exchanges to improve professional literacy related with WSRA management. • Expanded development of partnership templates or guides that stakeholders can adapt to partner around WSR management.