Inspired by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed in 1972. The California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act serves a similar purpose to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Its goal is to protect and preserve certain sections of river in the state of California.
History
Signed into law in 1972, the California Wild and Scenic Rivers act compliments the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This law is independent and operates differently from the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The California Wild and Scenic Rivers act preserves and protects sections of river that have been designated. A Wild and Scenic designation under the State system prohibits the construction of a dam, water conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other projects. The State System does not require the creation of a management plan unlike the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, though one can be created. A few rivers within the State system have management plans. Under the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act there are various types of designations. "Rivers or segments included with the system are classified by the Legislature as “wild,” “scenic,” or “recreational” based on the level of existing development of adjacent land areas when designated (§ 5093.53)."
Purpose and terms "It is the policy of the State of California that certain rivers which possess extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values shall be preserved in their free-flowing state, together with their immediate environments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the state. The Legislature declares that such use of these rivers is the highest and most beneficial use and is a reasonable and beneficial use of water within the meaning of Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution. It is the purpose of this chapter to create a California Wild and Scenic Rivers System to be administered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter."
Definitions
"River" means the water, bed, and shoreline of rivers, streams, channels, lakes, bays, estuaries, marshes, wetlands, and lagoons, up to the first line of permanently established riparian vegetation. "Free-flowing" means existing or flowing without artificial impoundment, diversion, or other modification of the river. The presence of low dams, diversion works, and other minor structures does not automatically bar a river's inclusion within the system. However, this subdivision does not authorize or encourage future construction of those structures on any component of the system. "System" means the California Wild and Scenic Rivers System. "Immediate environments" means the land immediately adjacent to the segments of the rivers designated in Section 5093.54 "Special treatment areas" means, for purposes of this chapter, those areas defined as special treatment areas in Section 895.1 of Title 14 of the California * * * Code of Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2004, as that definition applies to wild and scenic river segments designated from time to time in Section 5093.54, and also includes areas within 200 feet of the watercourse transition line of a state-designated recreational river segment designated in Section 5093.54 that may be at risk during timber operations. Under the State Wild and Scenic Act, the Secretary of Natural Resource Agency is the only path to designation. They may study a river and make a recommendation to the State Assembly or Senate. If it passes both houses of the legislature, it is sent to the Governor for approval.
California State Wild and Scenic Rivers This is the list of California State Wild and Scenic Rivers . +NameWildScenicRecreationalOtherTotalYear of designationAlbion River003.903.92003American River (Lower)00230231972American River (North Fork)443.10047.11972Cache Creek214.75.7031.42005Carson River (East Fork)010.70010.71989Eel River87.7214.87241.20343.791972North Fork Eel30.7403.11033.851972Middle Fork Eel35.38.65.23049.131972Main Eel13.36.27138.160157.731972South Fork Eel8.38094.70103.081972Gualala River003.3903.392003Klamath River0025702571972Mokelumne River18.41315.55036.962018Salmon River11.9214.3847.15073.451979North Fork Salmon4.51023.7028.211979Main Salmon08.2111.57019.781979South Fork Salmon06.1711.88018.051979Wooley Creek7.410007.411979Scott River06.3918.36024.751972Smith River53.12.24243.620298.961972North Fork Smith12.231.111.1014.441972Main Smith0025.9025.91972Middle Fork Smith7.121.1319.3027.551972South Fork Smith23.3017.9041.21972Myrtle Creek006.7306.731972Shelly Creek009.5609.561972Kelly Creek003.8603.861972Packsaddle Creek004.7204.721972Patrick Creek003.3803.381972East Fork Patrick Creek004.7304.731972West Fork Patrick Creek003.0603.061972Griffin Creek004.0904.091972Knopki Creek005.6905.691972Monkey Creek008.1808.181972Diamond Creek009.2709.271972North Fork Diamond Creek002.1202.121972Bear Creek002.7602.761972Still Creek003.1103.111972High Plateau Creek003.1303.131972Siskiyou Fork5.2204.2309.451972South Siskiyou Fork5.230005.231972Williams Creek005.3305.331972Eight mile Creek007.6807.681972Prescott Fork007.5907.591972Quartz Creek008.6608.661972Jones Creek0013.56013.561972Hurdygurdy Creek0016.3016.31972Gordon Creek007.0307.031972Coon Creek0010.69010.691972Craigs Creek0010.2010.21972Buck Creek007.4707.471972Muzzleloader Creek003.2803.281972Canthook Creek003.0103.011972Trinity River44.6640.59121.020206.271972North Fork Trinity13.601.65015.251972Main Trinity012.999.80112.71972South Fork Trinity23.9422.4610.7057.11972New River7.125.238.87021.221972Van Duzen River016.831.9048.71972Walker River (West Fork)141012.2036.21989Yuba River (South Fork)0328.1040.11999McCloud00046.71989Deer Creek000N/A1995West Fork Mill Creek0008.071995Mill Creek0006.131995East Fork Mill Creek0006.461995Totals:294.81158.771032.0967.36
References