Ohio's Scenic Rivers

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Map of Ohio's Scenic Rivers

The Scenic Rivers Act

Ohio pioneered the river preservation movement in 1968 with the passage of the nation's first scenic rivers act. This legislation created a state program to protect Ohio's remaining high quality streams for future generations. Scenic rivers retain most of their natural characteristics at a time when many rivers reflect the negative impacts of human activities.

River corridors are narrow natural areas only a few hundred feet wide and many miles long that are dynamic systems. The interface of terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) ecosystems produces an abundance of diverse plant and animal communities.

Restoration of streamside forests is the single most important ingredient in maintaining the health of streams and rivers. The removal of forested corridors along waterways increases erosion, runoff, and sedimentation, resulting in the degradation of water quality and the reduction of the natural diversity of aquatic communities.

The Scenic Rivers Act requires that a citizens' advisory council, representing local officials, landowners and conservation organizations, be appointed for each designated river. The council provides advice about local river protection and preservation concerns.

Three approaches are used in scenic river protection:

Public project review plays a major role in river preservation. The possible environmental impact of the construction of dams, bridges, roads or other publicly funded projects is carefully considered. ODNR has the authority to approve or disapprove all publicly funded projects on designated scenic rivers outside municipal corporation limits.
Landowner assistance and education are vitally important components of river protection. ODNR scenic river staff advise landowners about streamside protection techniques and provide technical assistance in river corridor restoration. Scenic river designation does not affect private property rights.
Water resource protection balances the relationship between the streamside forest buffer, aquatic habitat and water quality. While the maintenance and improvement of the aquatic habitat is the responsibility of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), the most effective watershed protection involves cooperation among OEPA, ODNR and local governments. A stream quality monitoring and biological survey project using volunteers supplements this effort. Staff also work with federal, state and local agencies to reduce nonpoint source pollution, which causes serious environmental damage to rivers and streams.

Scenic River Designations

Scenic rivers are classified according to the outstanding qualities a stream possesses. The Scenic Rivers Act provides three categories for river classification: wild, scenic and recreational. Criteria examined include the stream's length, adjacent forest cover, biological characteristics, water quality, present use and natural conditions.

Scenic river designation is a cooperative venture among state and local government, citizen groups, and local communities within a watershed. The designation process depends ultimately upon support and protection authority of local governments and citizens. The ODNR studies the proposed river to determine whether it meets the scenic river criteria. All interested parties, including state and local officials, community groups and concerned citizens, meet to discuss the scenic rivers program and to encourage local support for the protection of the river as a natural resource.

A legal notice of the intent to designate a river as wild, scenic or recreational is issued by the Director of ODNR 60 days prior to the declaration to allow sufficient time for public comment. Following the public comment period, ODNR responds to public concerns and the Director may declare a river a component of the state scenic rivers system.

Scenic Rivers Law: Regulated versus Non-regulated 1000-foot Corridor

regulated vs non-regulated Scenic River streamside

ORC Section 1547.82 requires the review and approval of publicly-funded projects within a 1,000-foot corridor of a designated Wild, Scenic or Recreational River area outside of municipal corporation limits. Examples of these types of projects (roads, bike trails, sewerlines) are shown on the left side of the above graphic.

Private land is not subject to any review or approval under the Scenic Rivers law. ORC Section 1547.81 provides for the protection of all private land uses such as home building, logging, grazing, agriculture, etc. Examples are shown on the right side of the above graphic.