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<br />~"l) <br />~<w-k I~ /3 d <br /> <br />. RATIONALE FOR CONDUCTING SUITABILITY AS <br />PART OF THE SJNFIBLM PLANNING PROCESS <br /> <br />. Keeps the process at the local level where SW CO water interests are already <br />engaged. <br /> <br />. Offers the best opportunity to look at rivers in context, helping to better <br />consider contributions of a river segment to the overall system, and its <br />importance in a broader regional context. <br /> <br />. Local public involvement opportunities during Plan revision lend themselves <br />to reviewing choices in context with other uses, land allocations, etc. <br /> <br />. Undertaking suitability at this planning stage affords the opportunity to <br />consider W &S effects on other uses as well as the effect of other potential <br />plan decisions on eligible W &S segments. <br /> <br />. Conducting suitability analysis at the planning stage in advance of potentially <br />competing uses can encourage thoughtful, reasoned review. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. A suitability determination allows future management to focus on a shorter <br />list of stream segments that are suitable. This could greatly reduce the effort <br />needed to ensure non-impairment of OR V s. <br /> <br />. Provides FS/BLM opportunity to consider currently available information <br />from the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI). <br /> <br />. Provides FS/BLM to update suitability determination on 25 year-old studied <br />rivers with new information and/or changed conditions. <br /> <br />. Undertaking suitability is consistent with BLM/FS Manual direction for <br />"Preferred" process. <br />o For BLM, an EIS is required if suitability is to be evaluated outside of <br />planning (BLM Manual 8351.33A- RMP Preference). <br />o For FS, the timing of conducting the suitability process may vary. The <br />preferred process is to proceed with determining suitability in the land <br />management planning process (FS Handbook 1909.12 section 83.1). <br /> <br />. Undertaking suitability is an efficient use of taxpayer's money. <br /> <br />. <br />