When Matthew Smith talks about the Ashtabula River, he uses words like “amazing,” “beautiful” and “scenic” to describe what he’s found there during the past year of study.

The challenge facing Smith is to convince the director of the Ohio Department Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) that the Ashtabula River is indeed “scenic” and worthy of that state designation.

Smith, Northeast Ohio Scenic River assistant manager for the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, ODNR, was assigned to do the research and develop the report necessary for Scenic River designation. The report is in the editing stage. Once that is done, it will be turned over to the director for review. The public will have the opportunity to comment on his intent once it is revealed.

“We hope to have it happen this year,” Smith says.

If the Ashtabula River is designated, Ashtabula County will have the distinction of being the only county in the state with three Scenic Rivers. It already shares with Lake and Geauga counties the distinction of having two: Conneaut Creek was designated in the fall of 2005; the Grand got its crown way back in 1974, says Steve Roloson, Northeast Ohio Scenic Rivers manager.

Both Conneaut and the Grand also carry the “wild” rivers designation; the Ashtabula does not qualify for the “wild” consideration, mainly because it has too many bridge crossings. There cannot be more than two crossings every five miles.

Wild River designation also depends upon the stream having at least 75 percent forested corridor to a depth of at least 300 feet. The only other Wild and Scenic River in Ohio is the Little Beaver Creek in Columbiana Creek.

Scenic rivers retain a majority of their natural characteristics, although the river may exhibit some signs of human activities. It must include at least 25 percent of its riparian corridor in forest for a width of 300 feet. Smith says riparian corridors are important because they act as buffers between human activity and the river.

“One of the great things about the Ashtabula River is that many of the farmers left wooded riparian buffers in place,” says Smith. These buffers help reduce the nutrient load on the streams.

The Ohio Wild, Scenic and Recreational River Act is the nation’s oldest such legislation, going back to 1968. The state has designated 13 rivers under the act. The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. However, Smith says designation often starts at the grassroots level, where residents recognize the value of a stream and work to protect it.

The Ashtabula River Watershed Committee was formed in early 2006, says Marc Hanneman, vice president. The committee was working with ODNR on the designation issue when a three-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made it possible to fund Smith’s work in Ashtabula.

Smith says county commissioners, Ashtabula City Council and the boards of trustees in every township in the Ashtabula River watershed have passed a resolution of support.

If the river is designated, ODNR would be able to exert authority over public improvement projects up to 1,000 feet on either side of the river in unincorporated areas. These projects would include bridges, culverts and similar work that would affect water quality. However, ODNR would not have review authority in municipalities.

Scenic River designation does not result in loss of private-property rights, either. Landowners still have the same rights for the use of their property as they did prior to the designation.

Smith sees four main benefits to the communities that are home to a Scenic River: