Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic River Study

The National Park Service has completed the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic River Study. The document details the Wild and Scenic River Study process and its findings of eligibility and suitability for a Wild and Scenic River designation. The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic River Study was conducted based on the Partnership Wild and Scenic River model. The report also documents the research and extensive public input and involvement that was part of the Study process.

On December 19, 2014, through Public Law 113-291, Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior and subsequently the National Park Service (NPS) to conduct a study of segments of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed in Connecticut and Rhode Island for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System under Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

In March 2019, the NPS was completing the study process when Congress designated all of the segments included in the study of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (Public Law 116-9, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act). Given the Congressional designation, the study has been concluded and was transmitted to Congress in 2021 to complete the study process and meet the requirement of the law.

Please click the "Document List" link to see the final study and transmittal letters to Congress.

Contact Information

Jamie Fosburgh, Branch Chief
National Park Service
15 State St
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-5191

Lauren Bonatakis, Natural Resources Specialist
National Park Service
15 State St.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 599-6802