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<br />00 <br />c-J <br />C <br />-- <br /> <br />c. <br /> <br />CHAPTER III <br /> <br />RaATIONSHIP OF TIIE SM[ TH FORK PROJECT 1D THE <br />MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION, AND USE OF TIIE GUNNISON NATIONAL <br />FOREST AND OTIIER FOREST RESOURCES <br /> <br />This section of the report considers the impact of the Smi th FOIK project <br />on the Gunnison National Forest and on other forest and rangelands. It is <br />aimed at determining what facilities, resources anduses will be affected <br />and at evaluating these effects. <br /> <br />The proposed project features, including Crawford Dam and Reservoir, Smith <br />Fork Diversion Dam and Feeder Canal are entirely outside the exterior <br />boundary of the Gunnison National Forest. The proposed Crawford Reservoir <br />is at a distance of three to six miles from the national forest boundary; <br />the diversion dam on Smith Fork is 2 3/4 miles below the boundary. There <br />are no forested lands, ei ther federally or privately owned, wi thin the 420 <br />acre flowage area 0 f the reservo i r. <br /> <br />Present Status and Anticipated Future <br />Use Without Project Development <br /> <br />Current Management <br /> <br />The forest area involved within the watershed is under good administrative <br />management and protection which is compatible with the proposed project. <br /> <br />Present Use <br /> <br />The area is used primarily for forestry purposes of growing timber, forage, <br />and water production. Use of the watershed area will oontinue at the present <br />level until access is extended deeper into the national forest. The timber <br />cut will probably increase. On the national forest, 14 permitees graze 1,140 <br />cattle and horses, and 3,535 sheep during the short summer season. Private <br />and public domain lands are also grazed but at different times of the year. <br /> <br />Recreation use is considered moderate and consists principally of picnicking, <br />fi shing and hunting. It is estimated this use now amounts to 3,700 visits <br />annually. <br /> <br />Three reservoirs and five water diversions and ditches, authorized under <br />special use permi ts and U.S. Department of Interior easements, are within <br />the national forest. These have been taken into consideration in project <br />planning and wi 11 be continued. <br /> <br />There are numerous other uses of forest resources on the watershed, including <br />recreation, wildlife) mining, and water supply but the project will have no <br />si gnin can t effect on these uses. <br /> <br />- 45 - <br />