** This thread discusses the Content article:
Wild & Scenic **
Good article, but it needs a bit of clarification. You say that the W&S designation "mostly" affects federal lands and imply that there could be some influence on how private lands are managed. As a (now retired) federal land manager, I can tell you with some certainty that the Federal designation has no effect on private lands. It doesn't just "mostly" affect federal lands; it only affects federal lands. Private lands may come into consideration in the decision to recommend designation (only Congress can make the actual decision). There isn't much point in recommending a river when the surrounding lands are in private ownership for federal designation.
Its sort of a good news bad news situation. Folks are more receptive to a federal designation if they understand it does not impact their private property. But it does take out of consideration many rivers with mixed ownership.
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