A couple of days ago, I ran into someone from the Department of Natural Resources. This person was on her way to a hearing at which representatives from the department would be testifying against designating the Back River as a Wild and Scenic River. Seems that the Back River, better known as home to a major sewage treatment plant, does not fit the very strict definitions of "wild and scenic" as outlined in state criteria.

To include it in the category might well halp the legislators from Baltimroe county get more money to clean up the river, but it would also erode the standards for the designation. If the Back River became Wild and Scenic, wouldn't everyone else want to?

Interesting point. We shall see where the legislation goes...