The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 established a system to identify free-flowing rivers across the United States that possess “outstandingly remarkable values,” and to protect them “for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
As of 2023, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System has protected over 13,000 miles of 228 designated rivers in 41 states and Puerto Rico.
For more information about the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, please visit rivers.gov.
Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Program
For some Wild and Scenic River designations, Congress specified that rivers are to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service in partnership with local governments, councils, watershed groups and non-governmental organizations, generally through the use of cooperative agreements. In these ‘Partnership’ Wild and Scenic Rivers, communities protect their own outstanding rivers and river-related resources through a collaborative approach.
Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers are a unique category of designated rivers managed through long-term partnerships between the National Park Service and community, local, regional, and state stakeholders. The Taunton River is a Partnership Wild and Scenic River, with local management guided by the Taunton River Stewardship Council.
For additional information about the Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, please visit Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers – Wild and Scenic Rivers Program.