WSP08719

• File Number: 8200.766
• Description: Gunnison River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 2/21/1978
• Author: USFS
• Title: Amended Draft Environmental Statement - Land Use Plan for the East River Unit - Gunnison National Forest
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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The National Forest Management Act of 1976, siQned into law on October 22.1976.
documented Congressional intent to assure that the renewable resources proqram must
be based on a comprehensive assessment of present and anticipated uses. Congress
directed the assessment of the demand for and supply of renewable resources be made
through an analvsis of environmental and economic impacts. coordinated with multiple
use and sustained yield opportunities.

2. Reg i ona 1 Di rec t i on

Reqional Multiple Use ManaQement Guides and Planning Area Guides provide an interface
between National and Forest goals and objectives and coordination between National and
Forest direction. Regional direction is general in nature and orovides additional
guidance for Forest land manaQement plans. Multiple Use Guides for the Rocky Mountain
Re9ion is a separate document which was approved October 11, 1963. The Area Plannlng
GUldes for this Region are scheduled to be completed in late 1977 and will supersede
the Multiple Use Guides. Each Area Planning Guide will identify its key values.
Resource management will be directed toward meeting the Objectives of the identified
key values.

3. Forest Direction

The current Multiple Use Plan for the Tavlor River District was approved in July 1964
and revised August 1964. April 1966, Mav 1970, and January 1973. It was written in
conformance with Multiple Use Guidelines for the Rocky Mountain Region. It contains
situations, assumptions, and decisions which were responsive to resource management
needs and demands foreseen at the time of the orioinal writino. The most current
management situations, assumptions, and decisions were reflected in the revisions.
The Forest Land Use Plan includes all of the District Multiple Use Plans.

4. State of Colorado Goals were exerpted and summarized from an Executive Order by the
Governor dated September 10,1976, to the citizens of Colorado:

Encourage a diverse and stable economic base.
The quality of life in Colorado would not be diminished.
The natural beauty of the State would be preserved.
- Create job security in industries particularly sensitive to seasonal fluctuations.
- Provide people ;n rural areas with meaningful jobs near their homes.
- Maximum use of recreational facilities through conversion into multi-seasonal resorts.
Colorado's agricultural economy must be preserved and enhanced.
- Prevent unnecessary conversion of prime agricultural lands and water to non-renewable
uses.
Plan in coordination with local communities a redirection of excessive Front Range
growth.
Motivate growth in selected areas in South Central Colorado which can benefit from
growth.
Colorado's wildlife must be manaqed for the benefit and enjoyment of Colorado citizens
and visitors.
- Create settlement patterns that best satisfy people's needs and minimize the cost of
providing public services.
- Encourage recreational facilities to meet the needs of all Colorado citizens.
Water conservation methods should be strongly encouraged by both urban and agricul-
tural users.
- Keep or reduce levels of air and water pollution to levels which orotect human health.
- Aid in meeting national needs without irreversibly degrading the State's environment
and water resources.
- Maximize the individual human benefit while assuring the proper balance between man
and nature.

5. Gunnison County Goals - Excerpted and summarized from the Gunnison Countv land Use
Resolution, March 21, 1977.

- To promote the health. safety and general welfare of the citizens of Gunnison County.
To requlate land use and activities in natural hazard areas in order to minimize
significant hazards to public health, safety and oroperty.
To prevent activities and land use in natural hazard areas which would increase the
severi ty of such na tural hazards.
To encourage and strengthen the established industries of aqriculture. mining. tourism,
and education.
- To guide and accomplish a coordinated adjusted and harmonious development which will
tend to reduce the wastes of physical, financial and human resources which result
from either excessive conqestion or excessive scattering of population.
To protect and preserve lands from land use activi~ies which would cause immediate
or foreseeable material danger to siqnlficant \.lildlife habitat and \~ould endanger
a ;~ildlife species.

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