In 1964, Congress passed legislation to "protect a few remaining vestiges of the vast wilderness that once covered the country".  In doing so it defined the underlying values of wilderness and specified basic management guidelines to protect our wilderness heritage.   The Wilderness Act provides is the foundation for our wilderness system.  

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The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

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