What are the potential positive effects of designation?

• If designated, Congress would appropriate funds for projects to preserve the recreational, scenic, historic, cultural, natural, and geologic resources in the upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers.  These funds have been over $100,000 annually.
• Landowners would still be the stewards of their lands.
• If attracting tourists is a goal, designation could be a great marketing tool for local businesses and regions supporting ecotourism.  For example, there could be a check off list developed of New England’s Wild and Scenic Rivers, akin to those for the high peaks or birding destinations
• Applications for grants may be more competitive in the areas designated Wild & Scenic.
• A local Advisory Committee would be established to oversee the designation funds, and provide outreach for the recommendations in the Management Plan.
• This Committee would have input during the review of projects (Section 7 Review) which are fully or partially federally funded, construction/development, and having a direct impact on the river.  These types of projects would be reviewed even without designation, but designation provides more local input into the permitting of these projects.
• The Wild and Scenic Act was created at a time of large-scale dam building.  In an effort to balance dammed rivers with those which were free-flowing, there is a stipulation in the Act which prevents the establishment of new dams or hydro facilities on the designated portion of the river.  This does not affect pre-existing, permitted hydro facilities such as those in Troy and Lowell.  It also does not prevent existing dams from being retrofitted for purposes other than hydro.