National Legislation Related to the Aesthetics of American Landscapes

Public perceptions impact land management plans and influence national regulations so it is necessary for managers to consider the visual quality of the landscape.  The value of scenic quality to the American public is reflected in national legislation.  

• The United States government was granted authority to protect forests in the Forest Reserve Act of 1891.  Many of the first national forests were places that were valued for their extraordinary beauty. 
• Protection of visual quality is mandated in the mission statement of the National Park Service.
• Aesthetic experiences are considered a legitimate forest use in the Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act of 1960  (Steinitz 1991). 
• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires land managers to assess the impact of their management activities on the quality of the environment and to maintain an “aesthetically and culturally pleasing” environment (Steinitz 1991). 
• The National Forest Management Act (1976) contains provisions related to scenic beauty (Ribe 2002).
• NEPA requires managers to make assessments of the visual, aesthetic, and social impacts of the available options for management strategies before determining final management plans. 
• The Wilderness Act of 1964 includes scenic beauty as one of the four attributes of wilderness; the other three are naturalness, primitive recreation opportunities, and opportunities for solitude  (Steinitz 1991).