§460bbb Findings

Summary

Recognizes the Smith River flows all the way to the Pacific without dams and is one of the few largely intact wild rivers left. The river’s area includes many kinds of plant and animal communities—from Siskiyou conifer forests and special North Fork serpentine plants to ancient redwoods—and has more biodiversity than is usual for a basin its size. Its scenery, runs of migrating fish, excellent water, abundant wildlife, and easy access give many recreation choices like water sports, fishing, hunting, camping, and sightseeing. Managing recreation, fisheries, and timber on public lands in compatible ways helps the local economy, and better protection comes when Federal, State, and local governments work together to coordinate land use and management across the whole watershed.