From Deseret News archives:
Utah's scenic rivers: Will any go on protected list?
Kentucky, Ohio and Connecticut are on the list, but Utah, with its five national parks, six national forests and thousands of acres of wilderness, has zero rivers in the National Wild and Scenic River system.
For the first time, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are working with Utah officials to identify all of the rivers on their land that could be part of the system.
When they're finished, there could be up to 2,000 miles and 230 segments of rivers on the table for Congress to consider keeping forever free-flowing.
For some, this will be good news. For others in the state, it is bad.
Hence, the controversy surrounding protecting Utah's rivers has somewhat delayed these studies from previously taking place.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed by Congress in 1968 after a rash of large-scale dams, including the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, begun in 1957, were built after World War II. The act's purpose is to preserve "outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic ... historic (and) cultural" rivers in a "free-flowing condition," the act says.
While that protection does mean that wild and scenic rivers cannot be dammed and nearby developments will be limited, the act is less restrictive than some people would think, said Cathy Kahlow, U.S. Forest Service Scenic River Project team leader in Utah.
"Some people assume because a river is designated they can't use it anymore, and that's not the case," Kahlow said. "What it does mean is you couldn't build a federal-assisted dam on there. You can still fish and canoe and kayak and raft and walk along it and hike. There can be roads along some of the rivers.... It can protect tourism and protect the water sources that people use and appreciate."
Comments
- Madoff's yacht on auction block 10:23 a.m.
- Report: OSHA needs to improve 10:21 a.m.
- GM reports $1.2B loss 10:20 a.m.
- Bacall, 2 others receive early Oscars 10:16 a.m.
- '2012' has box-office bang of $225M 10:13 a.m.
- Cox ready to shriek in 'Scream 4' 10:11 a.m.
- 'Hair' opens London with B'way cast 10:10 a.m.
- 'Twilight' part of heartthrob history 10:08 a.m.
- Gershwin award going to McCartney 10:06 a.m.
- USAF expects UAE role to continue 10:00 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- TCU creams U.
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Wounded Utes limp home
- BYU happy to escape with victory
231 - TCU creams U.
230 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
208 - Will state consider gay rights law?
151 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
105 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
89
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
In the Ten Commandments adultery is the term for all sexual transgression....
Both the Utes and Cewgs will get bowl invites. Regardless of who wins down at...
Why would they pull the redshirt off Wynn? He is going to be really good for...
Please explain how any of your personal freedoms have been repressed by this...
Getting a little shrill aren't you John?
Rock, I can tell you've been waiting to use that biased writeup for a long...
I'm certainly not calling for Broncos head; however these "self proclaimed"...
It is amazing how anyone can provide a moral or legal justification for...
I agree that the headline could have been better. How about "AF Band places...
I knew they were going for it and not trying to get Indy to jump simply...


You can be the first to comment on this story.