High Conservation Rivers or Undisturbed Rivers of NSW and the ACT. From data compiled by the Australian Heritage Commission with the cooperation and technical input of the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, former Department of Land and Water Conservation, and Environment ACT.

Rivers with High Conservation Value or Identified Conservation Value were identified as part of the Stressed Rivers Assessment in 1998. An evaluation of environmental or conservation status was undertaken as part of the stressed rivers approach. Indicators of environmental value were developed and assessed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Fisheries. Indicators included presence of wetlands, National Park (or similar), riparian vegetation, water birds, threatened species, fish species diversity, and absence of alien fish species. On the basis of this data, NPWS and Fisheries assigned either an environmental value or a high conservation value each subcatchment. The assessment was preliminary and was noted as needing review.

Table 1. High Conservation Value Rivers on page 14 of the "Stressed Rivers Assessment Report - NSW State Summary - 1998" provides more information to the table values.