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GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF THE PLAN The Eagle River Watershed Plan addresses the entire Eagle River watershed which includes the Eagle River, all of its tributary streams and the headwater lakes and springs. This holistic, integrated approach reflects a local, regional and national desire to under- stand the "big-picture" of how watersheds function and respond to human impacts. A COMMON VISION FOR THE WATERSHED Through the planning process, a vision has emerged for the future of the Eagle River watershed. It is difficult to envision what this region, and more specifically the Eagle River watershed, will be like 100 years from now, but our vision should extend at least 20 to 50 years into the future. The vision for the watershed is of.... ... a network of clear, mountain streams and a river that provides good quality water in ample quantity for a self-sus- taining, healthy fish population and effi- cient use by humans; ... open space and greenbelts along the river and streams that buffer the water- ways from human land use impacts, and preserve the riparian areas that provide critical wildlife habitat and scenic vistas; . .. land uses that respect the riparian and aquatic ecosystems and complement the scenic character of the waterways; ... appropriate, non-disruptive and well- designed access to the river for passive and active recreation; ... an appreciation and respect from the residents of the watershed for the extra- ordinary resource that we share. 6 - The vision is achievable. Many elements are in place currently, but will require diligence to cope with change and growth. Other ele- ments of the vision need to be developed. In order to achieve the vision, it is essential that all citizens in the Eagle River watershed come to a common understanding that the river and tributaries are a critical component of our quality of lives and that it will require the cooperation and commitment of many to realize and sustain the vision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLANNING PROCESS BACKGROUND The Eagle River Watershed Plan (originally the Eagle River Management Plan) was initi- ated by local governments after protection of the Eagle River was identified as a top com- munity concern through town and County master planning forums and surveys. The perception among local citizens and commu- nity leaders was that the Eagle River and its tributaries are a tremendous asset that has been frequently overlooked or degraded in terms of water quality and quantity, adjacent land use impacts, aesthetic quality, recreation and habitat values. Participants in the planning process have included citizens at-large, land owners, raft- ing, fishing and other special interest groups, representatives of all the Towns in the water- shed, and State and Federal government agencies. A complete list of participants is located in Appendix A.