National Scenic Area (United States)

A National Scenic Area in the United States is a federally designated area of outstanding natural and scenic value that receives a level of protection that is less stringent than wilderness designation. Scenic areas are typically occupied or used in some manner by people and either cannot be considered for wilderness designation, or are seen as suitable for a wider range of uses than those permitted under wilderness designation.[1]

The first National Scenic Area in the United States was Mono Basin National Scenic Area in 1984,[2] followed by the much larger and more ambitious Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in 1986. The Columbia River Gorge was in a region of outstanding natural beauty that was already heavily used by people. The designation of the Columbia Gorge was controversial, as it imposed a significant amount of federal control on public and private lands that had previously not been significantly regulated.[3] Subsequent scenic area designations have been significantly less far-reaching, typically involving existing federal lands.

  1. ^ Johnson, Randy (July 21, 2011). "National Scenic Areas Near and Far - A Path for the High Country?". High Country Press. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011.
  2. ^ USFS contributors (2009). "Inyo National Forest: Special Places". United States Forest Service. Retrieved 2010-02-07. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "About the Scenic Area". Columbia River Gorge Commission. Archived from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.