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Local waterways considered for wild and scenic protections: The stark cliffs of Glenwood Canyon catch motorists' eyes, and !Bureauof Land Management officials named 11 segments of rivers and streams overseen by the Glenwood Springs office eligible for federal wild and scenic designation on Wednesday. Other waterways were selected for pockets of genetically pure cutthr~at trout populations, historic significance, recreational opportunities and geologic wond~rs. I I The list includes two sections of the Colorado River; a section of the Eagle River; Thompson Creek, west of Carbondale; Mitchell Creek, which flows into West Glenwood; No Name Creek, east of Glenwoorl Springs; Battlement Creek, on Battlement I Mesa; Abrams and Hack creeks, on the Flat Tops; and Rock Creek and Egeria Creek, both part of the historic railroad line between McCoy and Steamboat Springs. I I I A related plan for the Kremmling field office iqentified 16 segments eligible, including five sections of the upper Colorado River. In th~ meantime, the rivers and streams identified must be managed as if they carried the special protections. That could affect I some oil and gas development near some strea~s. As the agency considers whether wild and scenic protections are suitable, he said, those operations will be considered. To be considered eligible, stretches of rivers or str~ams had to be free-flowing and possess some "outstandingly remarkable value" of regional or national interest. I I Among them: I -- Pure native trout populations in Abrams, Batt!ement and Mitchell creeks. -- Scenic views, unique geology and river otter Habitat along the Colorado River between State Bridge and Dotsero, as well as b01ting opportunities and the trailhead to the historic Ute Trail across the Flat Tops. ! -- The scenic cliffs of Glenwood Canyon, which ~he report calls "one of the most scenic I natural features on the Interstate Highway Systeht of the United States." -- Boating on the Eagle River. I -- The historic railroad line along Egeria and Rock creeks. -- Glenwood's historic aqueducts on No Name Creek. I -- Thompson Creek's rocky fins. i , I I The political phase comes next, when the BLM w~ighs other uses that federal protections could put in jeopardy. Then, it's up to Congress t& decide if any protections will be put in place. The wild and scenic eligibility study is a~ailable at: www.blm.gov/rmp/co/kfo_ I gsfo. I Wann spell takes toll on snowpack: Historically the snowiest month of the year, I March has been a bust so far. Warm temperaturesiand frost-free nights in the last week have made for a quickly melting snowpack. Snow I runoff accounts for most of the state's surface water supply. Early snowmelt can mean rdnoff goes directly into streams and rivers rather into theground where it's needed fori crop growth. 18 ,.I . . . I