What is the role of the Forest Service relative to preserving the river’s free-flowing condition?
Section 7(a) of the WSRA directs the river-administering agency to review water resources projects (proposed activity within the river’s bed or its banks from 36 CFR 297.3) that require federal assistance (e.g. loan, grant, permit or license). This authority is based on existing federal law under the authority of other federal agencies (e.g. the Army Corps of Engineers – ACOE –administers proposals for disposal of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act). Review by the Forest Service is to determine if a project proposal adversely affects the values for which a river is added to the National System – i.e., its free-flowing condition, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values.
