In keeping with the intent of the Ohio Scenic Rivers Act, the state program promotes the protection of the natural qualities of Ohio's finest streams in order to maintain high water quality and improve the habitat for stream organisms. This effort has been successful because Ohioans have joined together to help preserve our natural stream heritage. Scenic river protection requires a team of people who represent local government, business, private landowners, volunteers and scenic rivers staff.

As community resources, the quality of Scenic Rivers reflects the stewardship of those who live in their watersheds. Adequate protection for rivers depends on upon local involvement to supplement the state's efforts. Without local cooperation and assistance, it is difficult to protect our rivers from the impacts of poorly-planned residential, commercial, and industrial developments, point and nonpoint source pollution, and conflicts of land and water use.

Ohio's Scenic Rivers Program emphasizes combined state and local governmental authority to ensure long range river protection. One major assumption guides the Scenic Rivers Program; local people and governments desire to see the river preserved in its natural state. This assumes that land use plans will be developed in a manner consistent with the goal of protecting the natural character of the stream and its corridor. Preservation of the river requires protection of water quality from point and nonpoint source pollution, improvement of the stream biota, and maintenance of a healthy and native forested corridor.

The reference to streams as scenic rivers is often misconstrued. As used in the Scenic Rivers Program the term "scenic" does not always denote the traditional meaning of aesthetic or beautiful, but instead means natural or reminiscent of Ohio rivers in their native or original condition.

Each designated scenic river is assigned a scenic river coordinator who lives in the region and is available to assist local governments and citizens. This river resource management specialist is responsible for providing local services to help in the preservation of the river and serves as the liaison between the Scenic Rivers office in Columbus and local agencies and citizens.

Following the official designation of a river or stream, the Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources appoints a local advisory council. The council is composed of private citizens, government officials, conservation groups and civic organizations representing a cross section of interests within the river valley. Their responsibility is to advise the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves on local issues concerning the preservation of the river.

Many challenges must be faced to ensure protection of our scenic rivers. Our Scenic Rivers are important water resources for the communities through which they flow. Their values transcend economics. Scenic Rivers are one of the few natural high quality aquatic resources in the state of Ohio.

While the preservation and protection of our State's Scenic Rivers is a complex task requiring the involvement and commitment of local communities, the Scenic Rivers staff stand ready to assist in the long term preservation of our State's Scenic Rivers.

Eighty-two miles of the Big Darby Creek and its major tributary, Little Darby Creek, were designated as state scenic rivers in 1984 upon request from landowners, local governments and interested groups. In 1994, following a request from Governor George Voinovich, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior designated the Big and Little Darby Creeks as National Scenic Rivers. The Darby Scenic River System constitutes some of the most important natural resources in Central Ohio. Flowing through rich agricultural bottomland of Union, Madison, Franklin and Pickaway counties, the creek's valley is characterized by gently rolling topography in the upper reaches to relatively steep, heavily-wooded topography in lower portions.

Big and Little Darby Scenic Rivers are noted nationally for their tremendous aquatic diversity. The streams support a number of rare and endangered species. They have long served as important scientific and educational resources for many educational institutions and scientists from all over the country.

The Darby Creek watershed covers an area of 556.6 square miles. The creeks' banks are flanked with native vegetation varying considerably in width; from only a narrow line of trees to deep and extensive forests. Flood plain trees such as buckeye, sycamore, silver maple and box elder tolerate periods of inundation. Species more adapted to drier soils such as oak and sugar maple line the valley walls. Remnant prairie species such as, purple coneflower, the threatened prairie false indigo and Indian paintbrush inhabit the slopes and bluffs along the streams. Numerous species of birds and mammals depend upon this linear strip of undisturbed forest habitat for their existence.

Historically the creeks were home to over 100 species of fish. Today, 86 species have been identified, including the Ohio endangered Northern Madtom and Spotted Darter as well as the federally endangered Scioto Madtom, found nowhere else in the world. Forty-one species of freshwater mollusks live in these waters, six of which are on the Ohio endangered list. Two of these, the Salamander Mussel and the Northern Club Shell, are currently proposed for federally endangered status.

What You Can Do To Help

Many conservation organizations and civic groups are already assisting in the preservation effort. Several riverfront property owners are actively participating in the Scenic Rivers Program, with numerous local governments and agencies along the streams continuing to voice their support and pledge their assistance for protection .

The success of the scenic rivers movement in Ohio depends upon public support, and especially, public participation. We would welcome and encourage your involvement by joining the many others who are diligently working to protect Big and Little Darby Scenic Rivers for all generations to enjoy. The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves offers technical assistance to landowners and local governments, as well as scheduling a number of activities each year for individual and group involvement: litter clean-ups, tree plantings and stream quality monitoring. Interested? Just call the Division at (614) 265-6453. Additionally, you may help our cause by donating all or a part of your state income tax refund to the Natural Areas Checkoff on your tax form. Each year, Ohioans have donated generously to ensure that Ohio's Scenic Rivers Program will continue to lead the nation in the important cause of protecting our natural streams such as the Big and Little Darby State Scenic Rivers.