Wild & Scenic Rivers South Platte River

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o. United States Forest Pike and San Isabel 1920 Valley Dr. Department of Service National Forests Pueblo, CO Agriculture Cimarron and Comanche 81008 -1797 National Grasslands (719) 545 -8737 File Code: 1924 RECEr�Fzj) Date: October 15, 1998 OCT 2 2 1998 Colorado Water conservation Board To those interested in the South Platte Wild and Scenic River Study: Our interdisciplinary team of experts for the South Platte River Wild and Scenic River Study has reviewed the South Platte Protection Plan (SPPP) submitted as the A2 alternative developed by local stakeholder groups. The Plan is a very impressive set of documents obviously prepared through a major effort of many dedicated people over the past year. We are pleased to see this level of dedication and interest in protecting the valuable resources of the South Platte River on the Pike National Forest. From our review and analysis of the SPPP, it is clear that the Plan was prepared through the par- ticipation of a broad spectrum of groups with their interests being represented in the Plan. For the most part, it appears that the outstandingly remarkable values of the South Platte River are fairly well protected in the Plan. However, we question from our analysis whether the free - flowing character, and resulting potential impacts to the outstandingly remarkable values, are protected in the Plan. There were several issues raised by our resource experts and by members of the groups participating in the Plan development that need to be addressed. Even though there are some outstanding issues, we have determined that the SPPP warrants fur- ther consideration in our National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision - making process. Therefore, we are proceeding with the preparation of a Supplemental Draft Legislative Environ- mental Impact Statement (SDLEIS) to include the SPPP as an alternative for full public review. Currently, we are planning to include at least four alternatives in the SDLEIS: • no federal action on designation; • the SPPP as submitted; • a modified SPPP with alterations addressing additional issues; and • a designation alternative. The SDLEIS will fully describe and display the anticipated environmental consequences of each .alternative. Following its publication, there will be a 90 -day comment period for the public to fully review, analyze and comment on the alternatives. Following this comment period, we will consider all public comments received on the original DLEIS and the SDLEIS. We then S AW Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper