Suitability Flowchart
Joint Suitability Evaluation?
Core Suitability Analysis Questions:
Consider relative importance and weight of each suitability factor
Eligible Stream Segment
Should free-flowing condition, water quality, and ORVs be protected?
Would these be protected through designations?
Gather information about Suitability Factors from:
Evaluate Suitability Factors
Is designation the best method for protection?
Is there a demonstrated commitment to protect the river by non-federal entities who may be partially responsible for protective management?
Published Documents
Previous Suitability Studies
Credible Sources, Stakeholders, and Partners
Public Outreach and Scoping
Other Agency / Organization Input
Information Search of Rivers
Record of Decision
Transmittal Process
Draft Suitability Report
Generate WSR Alternatives
Preliminary Determination
Actions Curtailed or Enhanced
Potential for Water Resources Projects
Contribution to River System
River Characteristics
Current Land Status
Administering Agency
Consistency with other Agency Plans
State / Local Administration
Suitability Factors
State / Local Government Capacity to Protects ORVs
Support / Opposition to Designation
Cost Acquisition / Management
Participation by other Agencies
Local Zoning and Land Use
Preliminary Determination:
Suitable?
Not Suitable?
Once the 13 suitability factors and the core suitability analysis questions have been considered, a preliminary determination as to whether a stream segment is suitable or not suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System needs to be made. There is no formula for determining the weight and importance of each suitability factor. The weight and importance of each suitability factor varies from river to river, depending on the management situation.
Suitability Factors
Once an agency has decided to move forward with a suitability evaluation, the planning team will need to consider these 13 suitability factors. These suitability factors were developed by the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council, so that agencies could utilize a consistent approach to thoroughly analyzing wild and scenic river suitability through their individual land use planning processes.
Multiple Perspectives
Often we only look inside agencies for information, but we need to make sure we examine all relevant information from all available sources. Gather information from credible external sources, stakeholders, and partners concerning the suitability factors, whether you are re-evaluating an existing suitability study or completing a new study. You may wish to bring in outside experts to help facilitate the prcess through contracts with consultants or consultation with other agencies. If a particular team member is extremely familiar with a specific stream, it may be most productive to ask that person to draft the entire analysis for all factors on that stream. Or you may use a contractor to develp a first draft and then have the team review, comment, and complete the analysis.
Possible Stakeholders:
- Local Tribes
- Special interest groups
- State and local water management agencies
- Private landowners
- Parties who use water for mining, agriculture, municipal purposes, etc.
Do not rely solely on agency information
Suitability Report
Once a preliminary determination is made for stream segments, a suitability report is required to document findings from analysis of the 13 suitability factors. The report helps identify the suitability of eligible rivers for designation as components of the National System.
Required Content for the Report:
- Separate sections for each river segment analyzed
- Specific river segment descriptions
- Summarization of suitability analysis and rationale for suitability recommendation
- Discussion of each suitability factor for each river sement analyzed, including:
- Name of river segment
- Location of river segment
- Mileage of river segment
- Map of river segment
- Documentation of free-flowing condition
- Description of Oustandingly Remarkable Values
Record of Decision
The recommended designation for a river segment is made thorugh a Record of Decision (ROD).
After ROD is Signed
Before ROD is Signed
Until the ROD is signed, all eligible river segments are requird to be protected.
Once the ROD is signed, eligible river segments found not suitable are no longer protected as potential Wild and Scenic Rivers, whereas all suitable segments are protected.
Transmittal Process
When a decision is made to recommend river segments for designation, all supporting documents are sent to the Secretary of the Interior to forward to Congress and the President of the United States for review via the transmittal process. There is no timeframe for transmitting recommendations. This allows agencies to respond to political sensitivities about designations if they arise.
Transmittal Package Documents:
- Study Report and Supporting Documents
- Record of Decision
- Transmittal Letter
- Draft Legislative Proposal
Suitability Flowchart & Factors
Angie Fuhrmann
Created on August 19, 2024
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Randomizer
View
Timer
View
Find the pair
View
Hangman Game
View
Dice
View
Scratch and Win Game
View
Create a Word Search
Explore all templates
Transcript
Suitability Flowchart
Joint Suitability Evaluation?
Core Suitability Analysis Questions:
Consider relative importance and weight of each suitability factor
Eligible Stream Segment
Should free-flowing condition, water quality, and ORVs be protected?
Would these be protected through designations?
Gather information about Suitability Factors from:
Evaluate Suitability Factors
Is designation the best method for protection?
Is there a demonstrated commitment to protect the river by non-federal entities who may be partially responsible for protective management?
Published Documents
Previous Suitability Studies
Credible Sources, Stakeholders, and Partners
Public Outreach and Scoping
Other Agency / Organization Input
Information Search of Rivers
Record of Decision
Transmittal Process
Draft Suitability Report
Generate WSR Alternatives
Preliminary Determination
Actions Curtailed or Enhanced
Potential for Water Resources Projects
Contribution to River System
River Characteristics
Current Land Status
Administering Agency
Consistency with other Agency Plans
State / Local Administration
Suitability Factors
State / Local Government Capacity to Protects ORVs
Support / Opposition to Designation
Cost Acquisition / Management
Participation by other Agencies
Local Zoning and Land Use
Preliminary Determination:
Suitable?
Not Suitable?
Once the 13 suitability factors and the core suitability analysis questions have been considered, a preliminary determination as to whether a stream segment is suitable or not suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System needs to be made. There is no formula for determining the weight and importance of each suitability factor. The weight and importance of each suitability factor varies from river to river, depending on the management situation.
Suitability Factors
Once an agency has decided to move forward with a suitability evaluation, the planning team will need to consider these 13 suitability factors. These suitability factors were developed by the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council, so that agencies could utilize a consistent approach to thoroughly analyzing wild and scenic river suitability through their individual land use planning processes.
Multiple Perspectives
Often we only look inside agencies for information, but we need to make sure we examine all relevant information from all available sources. Gather information from credible external sources, stakeholders, and partners concerning the suitability factors, whether you are re-evaluating an existing suitability study or completing a new study. You may wish to bring in outside experts to help facilitate the prcess through contracts with consultants or consultation with other agencies. If a particular team member is extremely familiar with a specific stream, it may be most productive to ask that person to draft the entire analysis for all factors on that stream. Or you may use a contractor to develp a first draft and then have the team review, comment, and complete the analysis.
Possible Stakeholders:
Do not rely solely on agency information
Suitability Report
Once a preliminary determination is made for stream segments, a suitability report is required to document findings from analysis of the 13 suitability factors. The report helps identify the suitability of eligible rivers for designation as components of the National System.
Required Content for the Report:
Record of Decision
The recommended designation for a river segment is made thorugh a Record of Decision (ROD).
After ROD is Signed
Before ROD is Signed
Until the ROD is signed, all eligible river segments are requird to be protected.
Once the ROD is signed, eligible river segments found not suitable are no longer protected as potential Wild and Scenic Rivers, whereas all suitable segments are protected.
Transmittal Process
When a decision is made to recommend river segments for designation, all supporting documents are sent to the Secretary of the Interior to forward to Congress and the President of the United States for review via the transmittal process. There is no timeframe for transmitting recommendations. This allows agencies to respond to political sensitivities about designations if they arise.
Transmittal Package Documents: