Final general management plan : development concept plan : Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River : Texas

National Park Service

The boundary of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River will be established to include only the river area from the United States/Mexico international boundary in the center of the river to the gradient boundary at the edge of the river on the United States side. The length of the Wild and Scenic River will extend from the Chihuahua/Coahuila state line to the Terrell/Val Verde county line. The segments from Talley to Solis, from the entrance to Boquillas Canyon to the exit from Boquillas Canyon, and from Reagan Canyon to San Francisco Canyon shall be designated as WILD. The remaining sections shall be designated as SCENIC. The Wild and Scenic River will be under the administration of Big Bend National Park. Management and maintenance facilities will be located in the National Park. The National Park Service will seek to provide for public access to and use of the river through agreements with landowners which will protect their private property rights, and will recognize the need both to continue historical usage and to preserve the existing wilderness experience and the natural and cultural values that caused the river to be included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Park Service will operate periodic patrols for purposes of visitor health and safety and resource management. Specific public access points and rights-of-way will be subject to negotiation and agreements with landowners. There are two preferred sites, both of which are in current use. One site is on the Mexican side of the river just upstream from the bridge at La Linda. Development will include grading the access road and constructing a turnaround, and providing toilet facilities, trash receptacles, and informational signing. The second site is at Dryden Crossing, south of Dryden. Development here will be similar to that at La Linda. The primary visitor contact point will use existing facilities at Persimmon Gap in Big Bend National Park. New employee residences will be constructed, and an existing building will be refurnished to house a ranger office, visitor contact station and storage space. Permits, required for overnight river floating, may be obtained here at no charge. River information can also be obtained at a visitor contact station at Rio Grande Village and at the Panther Junction Visitor Center.