Issues Concerning Wild and Scenic River Designations

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The classification levels for the eligible segments would be as follows: (1) Mainstem below McPhee Dam - below McPhee Dam site to Bridge at Bradfield Ranch (11 miles) -- recreational - Bridge at Bradfield Ranch to Disappointment Creek (41 miles) -- scenic - Disappointment Creek to Little Gypsum Valley Bridge (20 miles) -- recreational - Little Gypsum Valley Bridge to 1 mile above Colorado Highway 90 bridge near Bedrock (33 miles)- -wild (2) West Dolores - All 35 miles -- recreational Issues and Concerns (as expressed by the p ublic) The public response to the. Dolores Wild and Scenic River Study was, for the most part, divided along the lines of two dissimilar philosophies. On the one hand, citizens living in the river area supported the Dolores Project and viewed wild and scenic river designation as a direct and serious threat to McPhee Dam, centerpiece of the Dolores Project. These individuals also expressed concern about the effects that designation would have on privately owned lands and resource developments (especially agriculture and water use).' They thought there was already enough federal land control on the river. On the other hand, conservationists and white water enthusiasts, usually living in areas remote from the river, supported maximum wild and scenic river designation. Some suggested that the study be done the entire river, including those segments excluded in P.L. 93 -621. From their point of view, additional protection of the river was both desirable and needed. Study Team Recommendation The study team recommended that the 105 miles of the Dolores River from McPhee Dam to 1 mile above the Colorado Highway 90 bridge at Bedrock be designated with classification of reaches as set forth above under "Eligibility and Classification." The study team further recommended that designation should include a provision to modify the area withdrawn from mineral development, using the following or similar language: -2-