Section 4(a) of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act and the Interagency Guidelines describe and discuss content requirements, specific topics to be addressed, and the way in which information should be presented in such a study report. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process can, and is, readily merged with the requirements of the wild and scenic river study report. A wild and scenic river study report resulting from a decision in a land management plan usually summarizes and incorporates relevant information from the plan and associated NEPA document. For example, the location and description of study area, eligibility finding, suitability alternatives, and other elements may be included.
For a study conducted separately from the land management plan, the required contents (eligibility finding, suitability alternatives, impacts, and other elements) is presented in the combined in the study report and NEPA document.
The contents of 2(a)(ii) evaluation prepared by the National Park Serviced for the Secretary of the Interior differ from those of a study required under Section 4. Such evaluations document whether 2(a)(ii) candidate rivers meet the criteria established in the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act; i.e., whether they are free-flowing or possess one or more outstandingly remarkable values, are already protected pursuant to state law, and will be administered by the state or political subdivision. The evaluation process must comply with the NEPA.