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--'l~~~ \J\O~ -~ \}\ ~ o 0 '\l \:)c I. Description of the Proposal RecollllllBn<!.ed scUon Proposed Wilderness The National Park Service proposes that 45,100 aCl~S within Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah, be designated as wilderness and added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. .. The main features of this p"oposed wilderness area are the spec- tacular river canyons of the Gl~en and Yampa Rivers. Sixty river miles are proposed fOl' wilderness, 37 along the Green and 23 along the Yampa. These rivel'S, which form the core of the wildelness, are the stage from which the pristine beauty of this rugged canyon co~t0' unfolds. It is one of the most beautiful and spectacular segments of unspoiled canyon wilderness in America.(Exhibits A, B. & C). .' The wilderness unit varies greatly in width, from about 1000 feet to 3-1/2 miles. The land that would be included is for the most pal.t lUgged rocky slopes and canyon walls where the natul.al l~gime has been little modified by human activity. The proposed wilderness can be defined more or less 88 the contiguous Federally owned parts of the monument along the rivers that have not been utilized as grazing land and al~ not now leased for that purpose. Designation BS wi Iderness would involve some management changes and some restrictions. (Appendices A and B). Wilderness precludes road construction, recreational facility development, elaborate backcountry visitor facilities, and permanent research facilities. Use of motorized equipment would be restricted to emergency situations involving serious threat to lives, property or irreplaceable resources. Potential Wilderness Addition An additional 130,300 acres within the monument are proposed as potential wildelness addition, to be added to the wilderness bV the Secretary of the Inter'or at such times that they qualify. These lands include the balance of the monument outside of the proposed wilderness with the exception of.the present developed areas, certain primiUve roads and several historic sites. They are not presently included within the wilderness due to characteristics and uses sssociated with grazing and non-Federal ownership. Once these uses are terminated and it has been determined that they qualify for wilderness designation the Secl~tary would be authorized te add these lands to the National Wilderness Preservation System without further legislation. 4