Frequently Asked Questions

3. How would Wild and Scenic designation change the way these rivers and streams are currently managed?

4. What current threats to the Snake Headwaters would be alleviated through Wild and Scenic rivers designation?

5. Does the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act restrict activities on private lands along designated rivers reaches?

6. Will the public still have access to public lands within designated Wild and Scenic river corridors for hunting and fishing?

7. Are motorized vehicles allowed within designated Wild and Scenic River corridors?

8. How does Wild and Scenic designation affect existing or future water rights?

9. Why is it necessary to designate a river as Wild and Scenic when it is already protected under another congressionally authorized designation (e.g. national parks and Wilderness areas)?

10. What needs to happen before eligible rivers and streams can officially be added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System?

1) Which rivers and streams are being proposed for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System?

The Bridger-Teton National Forest and National Park Service have deemed 37 segments of 24 distinct rivers and streams in Wyoming’s Snake River drainage to be eligible for wild and scenic designation.  Eligible waters include the Snake, Lewis, Buffalo Fork, Gros Ventre, Hoback, Greys, Little Greys, and Salt rivers, as well as several tributaries such as Pacific Creek, Granite Creek, and Crystal Creek.  In total, more than 500 stream miles in the Snake Headwaters are eligible for wild and scenic designation.

2) Who is leading this effort?

CFSH is being spearheaded by a broad-based coalition of anglers, boaters, conservationists, business leaders and other local citizens.  The campaign is guided by a Leadership Committee consisting of 15-20 prominent local citizens.  Local flyfishing legend Jack Dennis serves as the campaign's Honorary Chair.

3) How would Wild and Scenic designation change the way these rivers and streams are currently managed?

It wouldn’t.  The reason why we want to include these rivers and streams in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System is because we cherish these waters the way they are right now and we want to keep them that way for future generations to enjoy.  Wild and scenic designation would protect these waters by: prohibiting the construction of new dams and other potentially harmful water development projects; making sure each river’s “outstandingly remarkable values” are protected; ensuring that water quality is maintained and enhanced; creating a federal reserved water right for the amount of unappropriated water necessary to maintain a river’s special values; and requiring the development of cooperative river management plans to guide future use.   

4) What current threats to the Snake Headwaters would be alleviated through Wild and Scenic rivers designation?

Wild and scenic designation would ensure that the many forms of development that are occurring in northwest Wyoming do not compromise the existing character of designated rivers and streams.  For example, any oil and gas development that might occur on the Bridger Teton National Forest would not be allowed to degrade designated rivers or streams. Likewise, major highway and bridge construction projects could not compromise the free-flowing nature of designated rivers and streams.  As for the longer term future, wild and scenic designation would ensure that no new dams or other harmful water development projects are constructed on designated rivers. 

5) Does the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act restrict activities on private lands along designated river reaches?

No.  Under the Act, the federal government has no authority to regulate or zone private lands.  Land use controls on private lands are solely a matter of state and local zoning.  Although the Act includes provisions encouraging the protection of river values through state and local governmental land use planning, there are no binding provisions on local governments.

6) Will the public still have access to public lands within designated Wild and Scenic river corridors for hunting and fishing?

Yes.  Fishing and hunting are regulated under state laws.  Hunting and fishing are allowed, except where agencies might establish no hunting zones for safety or for other reasons under Section 13(a) of the Act in consultation with state fish and wildlife agencies.  An example of such a place is along designated reaches located within national parks where no hunting is currently allowed.

7) Are motorized vehicles allowed within designated Wild and Scenic River corridors?

Yes.  Motors are allowed in designated wild and scenic rivers subject to congressional intent and river management objectives defined in legislation and through the river planning process.  Generally, access routes within the river corridors would also continue to be available for public use.

8) How does Wild and Scenic designation affect existing or future water rights?

Section 3(b) of the Act states that jurisdiction over waters is determined by established principles of law.  Existing, valid water rights are not affected by designation.  Also, interstate compacts (Section 13(e)) are protected and not affected by designation.  In prior appropriation states such as Wyoming, any water rights claimed under state law would have a priority date as of the river’s date of designation by Congress and would be considered junior to existing water rights.

The WSRA does provide the authority for a federal reserved water right on designated rivers under Section 13.  The Act states that any reservation or instream flow water right shall only be for the minimum amount necessary to preserve the free-flowing condition of the river and to preserve the values for which the river was designated.

9) Why is it necessary to designate a river as Wild and Scenic when it is already protected under another congressionally authorized designation (e.g. national parks and Wilderness areas)?

In many cases, there may be no practical effect.  However, laws like the Wilderness Act do allow certain activities in designated Wilderness that may be incompatible on a wild and scenic river.  For instance, the President may authorize construction of dams in Wilderness areas, but not on wild and scenic rivers.  Likewise, the National Park Service may allow major road and bridge construction projects in national parks, but those would not be allowed along wild and scenic rivers if they adversely affected the free-flowing character of any designated reach. 

10) What needs to happen before eligible rivers and streams can officially be added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System?