Appendix I. Wild and Scenic River Review
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Appendix I Wild and Scenic River Review Appendix I: Wild and Scenic River Review I. Wild and Scenic River Review The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge, Refuge) is completing a wild and scenic river review as part of this revision of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Plan, Revised Plan). The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires that such a study be completed whenever Federal agencies revise their land use plans. The process consists of several steps, including inventory, eligibility evaluation, suitability study, and potential congressional designation. The first two steps are to inventory the Refuge’s rivers, and then determine which of the rivers meet the criteria for eligibility (i.e., that they are free-flowing and contain one or more outstanding river-related values (as defined in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act). The third step, the suitability study, determines whether each eligible river or river segment would be a worthy addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The findings of the eligibility and suitability studies are presented in this appendix, and preliminary suitability determinations are included for each river evaluated for suitability. The final decision on the suitability of a given river segment will be made in the record of decision for the Revised Plan. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan I-i Appendix I: Wild and Scenic River Review This page intentionally left blank. I-ii Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan Prepared by: U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Fairbanks, Alaska Appendix I: Wild and Scenic River Review Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. I-1 1.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 .............................................................................................. I-1 1.2 Overview of the Wild and Scenic River Review Process ............................................................ I-2 1.3 Refuge Wild and Scenic Evaluation Team .................................................................................... I-3 1.4 Scope and Methodology of the Wild and Scenic River Review for the Revised Plan .................................................................................................................................................. I-3 1.5 Management and Protection of Rivers Included in this Review ................................................. I-7 1.6 Other Agency and Public Input ...................................................................................................... I-7 1.6.1 Eligibility Phase .............................................................................................................. I-7 1.6.2 Suitability Phase .............................................................................................................. I-7 2. Eligibility Criteria and Evaluation ........................................................................................................... I-9 2.1 Determination of Free-Flowing ...................................................................................................... I-9 2.2 Outstandingly Remarkable Values and Regions of Comparison ................................................. I-9 2.2.1 Defining Outstandingly Remarkable Values ................................................................ I-9 2.2.2 Defining Regions of Comparison ................................................................................. I-10 2.2.3 Outstandingly Remarkable Value Assessment Methodology .................................. I-10 2.3 Classifications .............................................................................................................................. I-13 2.4 Detailed Analyses for Each Outstandingly Remarkable Value .................................................. I-14 3. Eligibility Results ................................................................................................................................... I-15 4. Suitability Study ..................................................................................................................................... I-21 4.1 Suitability Analysis Process ........................................................................................................ I-21 4.2 Methodology and Suitability Criteria .......................................................................................... I-21 4.3 Data Sources ................................................................................................................................ I-22 4.4 Interim Management of Suitable/Recommended Rivers ........................................................... I-22 4.5 Management of Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers ................................................................ I-25 4.5.1 Purposes ......................................................................................................................... I-25 4.5.2 Classification .................................................................................................................. I-25 4.5.3 Establishment of Boundaries and Classification ....................................................... I-26 4.5.4 Comprehensive River Management Plan ................................................................... I-26 4.5.5 Acquisition Procedures and Limitations ..................................................................... I-27 4.5.6 Restrictions on Hydroelectric and Water Resources Projects ................................ I-27 4.5.7 Limitations on Entry on Public Lands ........................................................................ I-28 4.5.8 Limitations on Mineral Entry ...................................................................................... I-28 4.5.9 Management Direction ................................................................................................. I-28 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan I-v Appendix I: Wild and Scenic River Review 4.5.10 Management of Wild and Scenic Rivers in Wilderness .............................................I-29 4.5.11 Cooperative Agreements ..............................................................................................I-29 4.5.12 Federal Assistance to Others .......................................................................................I-29 4.5.13 Management Policies ....................................................................................................I-30 4.5.14 Existing Rights ..............................................................................................................I-30 4.5.15 Water Pollution ..............................................................................................................I-30 4.5.16 Jurisdiction and Responsibilities of State with Respect to Fish and Wildlife ...........................................................................................................................I-31 4.5.17 Federal Reservation of Water .....................................................................................I-31 4.5.18 Navigable Rivers ...........................................................................................................I-32 4.5.19 Easements and Rights-of-Way ....................................................................................I-32 4.6 Factors Common to Rivers in the Suitability Study .................................................................... I-33 4.6.1 Common Factors for Criterion 2 .................................................................................I-33 4.6.2 Common Factors for Criterion 3 .................................................................................I-34 4.6.3 Common Factors for Criterion 4 .................................................................................I-34 4.6.4 Common Factors for Criterion 6 .................................................................................I-34 4.6.5 Common Factors for Criterion 9 .................................................................................I-36 4.6.6 Common Factors for Criterion 10 ...............................................................................I-37 4.6.7 Common Factors for Criterion 12 ...............................................................................I-38 5. River Specific Suitability Analysis ........................................................................................................ I-42 5.1 Atigun River ................................................................................................................................... I-42 5.1.1 Description/Overview ....................................................................................................I-42 5.1.2 Suitability Factor Assessment .....................................................................................I-42 5.1.3 Preliminary Suitability Determination .......................................................................I-47 5.2 Canning River ................................................................................................................................ I-49 5.2.1 Description/Overview ....................................................................................................I-49