Wild and Scenic Rivers
MANAGEMENT PLAN
THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
PDF
THE MANAGEMENT PLAN NPS
Cooperative Agreement NPS - DRGP 9MG PDF File
Suitability Criteria
A river’s suitability for wild and scenic designation is a matter of whether it is free-flowing and contains outstandingly remarkable resources, whether designation makes sense, and whether designation provides lasting protection. For rivers such as the lower Delaware that flow through predominately private lands, federal land acquisition may not be an appropriate protective measure. Thus, protection must rely on a combination of federal, state, local, and private resource protection actions. If designation is to be effective, the non-federal entities must support and be committed to the implementation of any necessary resource protection measures.
GOALS
- Water Quality
- Maintain existing water quality in the Delaware River and its tributaries from measurably degrading and improve it where practical.
- Natural Resources
- Preserve and protect the river’s outstanding natural resources, including rare and endangered plant and animal species, river islands, steep slopes and buffer areas in the river corridor and along the tributaries.
- Historic Resources
- Preserve and protect the character of historic structures, districts and sites, including landscapes, in the river corridor.
- Recreation
- Encourage recreational use of the river corridor that has a low environmental and social impact and is compatible with public safety, the protection of private property and with the preservation of natural and cultural qualities of the river corridor
- Economic Development
- Identify principles for minimizing the adverse impact of development within the river corridor.
- Open Space Preservation
- Preserve open space as a means of maximizing the health of the ecosystem, preserving scenic values, and minimizing the impact of new development in the river corridor