National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 –
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act serves to protect designated free-flowing rivers that have “outstanding remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural and other similar values.” The act says these rivers “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.” By 1998, 154 rivers had been designated, covering 10,759 miles of 3.5 million total U.S. river miles. This law states that by maintaining rivers in a free-flowing condition, it can “protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes.”
Source: River Network
