Laserfiche WebLink
Add clear criteria for science used in next 3 years. I.e., independent consultant, etc. <br />Agree to process. <br />6. Need to develop separate table for permanent flow guide for Segment 6. <br />7. Need to develop provisional flow guide for Segment 7. <br />8. Further elaboration on specific types of cooperative measures needed. <br />This language is being discussed currently, and the Staff will be able to update the Board on the <br />outcome of these negotiations. <br />Wild and Scenic Alternatives Group (Dolores River) <br />Background <br />In 2007, the San Juan Public Lands Center (comprised of both the Bureau of Land Management <br />(`BLM ") and U.S. Service ( "USFS ")) issued the draft San Juan Public Lands Land Management <br />Plan. Based upon previous recommendations from a 1976 Wild and Scenic River Study Report, <br />the draft Plan designates the Dolores River from McPhee Dam to Bedrock as eligible for Wild <br />and Scenic designation, and also contains a preliminary finding of suitability for the same reach <br />of the Dolores River. The Outstandingly Remarkable Values ( "ORVs ") identified by the draft <br />Plan for this 105 -mile reach of the Dolores River are fish, wildlife, recreation, geography, <br />scenery, ecology, and archaeology. A map of the subject reach and a table of the ORVs are <br />attached to this memo. The draft Plan also contains the following statement: <br />"The [Dolores River Dialogue] process shows great promise in achieving enduring <br />protections for this stream reach. Should the DRD make substantial progress in <br />identifying and securing needed protections of the ORVs, the recommendations of the <br />group could be used to supplement or replace this preliminary finding of suitability. <br />Ideally, the DRD will be able to provide their recommendations for management of the <br />lower Dolores River prior to the close of the public comment period for this draft Plan <br />Revision. Input from the DRD could then be more fully considered in the final Plan and <br />associated environmental analysis." <br />In response to the draft plan, the Dolores River Dialogue ( "DRD ") organized the Lower Dolores <br />Management Plan Working Group ( "Dolores Group ") to develop alternatives to Wild and <br />Scenic designation on the Dolores River through a broad public process. The DRD is a <br />collaborative group of conservation, water management, land management, recreational and <br />governmental representatives working since January 2004 to explore opportunities to manage <br />McPhee Reservoir to improve downstream ecological conditions while honoring water rights, <br />protecting agricultural and municipal water supplies and the continued enjoyment of rafting and <br />fishing.2 The actions that may result from this effort include: (1) river channel work <br />(maintenance, restoration, habitat improvement); (2) spill flow management / enhancement; (3) <br />base flow — pool management /operation; and /or (4) some combination of the foregoing. <br />The Dolores Group will submit recommended alternatives to the San Juan Public Lands Center <br />( "SJPLC ") (comprised of both the Bureau of Land Management ( "BLM ") and U.S. Service <br />( "USFS ")), as part of the San Juan Public Lands Land Management Plan Revision process. <br />2 Participants in the DRD include the Dolores Water Conservancy District, Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company, <br />Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Division of Wildlife, San Juan Public Lands, Montezuma County, Dolores County, <br />CWCB, Fort Lewis College, Trout Unlimited and the Dolores River Coalition. <br />