Act means the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (82 Stat. 906, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1271-1288).

Construction means any action carried on with Federal assistance affecting the free-flowing characteristics or the scenic or natural values of a Wild and Scenic River or Study River.

Federal assistance means any assistance by an authorizing agency including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) A license, permit, preliminary permit, or other authorization granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission pursuant to sections 4(e) and 4(f) of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 797;

(b) A license, permit, or other authorization granted by the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, pursuant to the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et seq.), and section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344); and,

(c) Any other license, permit, or authorization which may be required by an agency or Department of the Federal Government before, during, or after construction of a water resources project.

Free-flowing is defined by section 16(b) of the Act as “existing or flowing in natural condition without impoundment, diversion, straightening, riprapping, or other modification of the waterway” (16 U.S.C. 1287(b)).

Study period means the time during which a river is being studied as a potential component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System and such additional time as provided in section 7(b)(ii) of the Act not to exceed 3 additional years during which a report recommending designation is before the Congress, or such additional time as may be provided by statute.

Study river means a river and the adjacent area within one quarter mile of the banks of the river which is designated for study as a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System pursuant to section 5(a) of the Act.

Water resources project means any dam, water conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project works under the Federal Power Act (41 Stat. 1063) as amended, or other construction of developments which would affect the free-flowing characteristics of a Wild and Scenic River or Study River.

Wild and scenic river means a river and the adjacent area within the boundaries of a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System pursuant to section 3(a) or 2(a)(ii) of the Act.