Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-111
Section 820.24 - Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers System(a) The Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers System shall comprise rivers: (1) That are recommended as wild, scenic, pastoral, recreational, or modified recreational rivers by the Department of Environmental Resources; and(2) That are authorized for inclusion therein by law.(b) A wild, scenic, pastoral, recreational, or modified recreational river area eligible to be included in the system is a free-flowing stream and the related adjacent land area that possesses one or more of the values referred to in section 2 of this act. Every such river shall be classified, designated and administered as one of the following:(1) Wild river areas--those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted.(2) Scenic river areas--those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and undeveloped, but accessible in places by roads.(3) Pastoral rivers--those rivers or sections of rivers which are free of impoundments excepting historic or restored mill dams. Diversions or withdrawals may exist to support agricultural activities such as agricultural ponds. The shorelines or watersheds may support a full range of farm or farm-related activities, so long as these activities do not conflict with the pastoral nature of the landscape.(4) Recreational rivers--those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible, that may have some development along their shorelines and may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past.(5) Modified recreational rivers--those rivers or sections of rivers in which the flow may be regulated by control devices located upstream. Low dams are permitted in the reach so long as they do not increase the river beyond bank-full width. These reaches are used for human activities which do not substantially interfere with public use of the streams or the enjoyment of their surroundings.1972, Dec. 5, P.L. 1277, No. 283, § 4, imd. effective. Amended 1982, May 7, P.L. 379, No. 110, § 1, effective in 60 days.