Wild & Scenic Rivers South Platte River

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page 2 anticipate preparing a Final Legislative EIS and making a decision regarding Wild and Scenic River designation for the South Platte River. The issues that we anticipate being addressed in the modified SPPP alternative are listed below. • free - flowing character in Segments B and C is not protected from potential water devel- opment facilities • stream channels, aquatic habitat and riparian areas are not protected from future antici- pated increased flows on the Main Stem and North Fork • stream channels, aquatic habitat and riparian areas are not protected from unnaturally long duration high flows and sedimentation on the Main Stem and North Fork • "off- channel diversion structure" is included as potential future work on the Main Stem, not clear if this structure could be constructed and still protect free flowing character • scenic values are not adequately protected for non - Forest Service lands; no reference of County zoning or other land use protections for scenic quality • water quality protection measures need to be stronger explaining their importance to pro- tecting the outstandingly remarkable values • enforcement of implementing agreements is not clear • need citizen review provision to evaluate success of SPPP and whether there is a need to initiate future designation • Forest Service must maintain ability to pursue designation in the future in case a selected SPPP alternative does not protect the values or is rescinded by some unforseen future ac- Lion • permanence of SPPP is not equivalent to designation We developed this list of issues from our experts' analysis and from comments received from lo- cal groups that participated in the SPPP development process. Groups had some additional is- sues in their comments that we determined would be better addressed in making the final deci- sion on designation or in the decision implementation process. We are willing to consider ad- ditional issues in the SDLEIS. However, this document is being prepared to focus on the SPPP and may not repeat information previously presented in the original DLEIS. If you have com- ments you would like us to consider while preparing the SDLEIS, please send them to me at the above address within a month of the date of this letter. Thank you for your continued participation in the remainder of our NEPA decision process. Sincerely, RICK D. CABLES Forest Supervisor