Re: If we start judging art by "socially-redeeming value," we get into some interesting territory.
I'd guess the river is public property. There's a reason permits are required.
It's an unnecessary desecration of the area with no purpose, done just to show it could be done.
I realize some people don't value such areas, and believe any exploitation is better than no exploitation. That's the only way this sort of thing can happen.