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April 11, 2008 <br />Page 26 <br />2. Development restrictions within WSR river corridors must be defined if <br />developments can't be seen from the River. <br />K. Inappropriate "Area of Consideration" for a number of streams designated as <br />eligible for WSR status . In light of FSH 1909.12, Chapter 80, 82.14, the designation of a <br />number of stream segments as preliminarily eligible needs to be eliminated based on an <br />inappropriate "Area of Consideration." In determining the ORVs, the FSH states: <br />In order to be assessed as outstandingly remarkable, a river - related value must be <br />a unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a comparative regional or <br />national scale. A river- related value would be a conspicuous example of that <br />value from among a number of similar examples that are themselves uncommon <br />or extraordinary. [Emphasis added] <br />For a number of stream segments, as discussed in the specific stream -by- stream <br />comments below, the "Area of Consideration" utilized to identify "outstandingly <br />remarkable values" (ORV's) does not provide enough documentation to support these <br />values as "a unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a comparative <br />regional or national scale ". For example, the reasons for some preliminary eligibility <br />listings, ORV's such as glaciation, recreation, waterfalls, a valley, kayaking, rafting and <br />fishing, occur throughout the Colorado. Therefore, they are not outstandingly remarkable <br />within an appropriate Area of Consideration. <br />L. Boating Information and Inappropriate Areas of Consideration. The Draft EIS <br />describes a number of stream segments, as follows: <br />This river offers ... a long and interesting class IV whitewater run. It is listed at <br />Riversearch.com as one of the best rafting vacations in the world. Its listing as an <br />American Whitewater's National River inventory, while not sufficient itself to be <br />an ORV, support the ... analysis. <br />Appendix "D" at p. D -90, Piedra River. <br />This section of the river is listed as one of the most popular and beautiful rafting <br />areas in Southwest Colorado. It contains Class II, III and IV rapids. The river is <br />in a wild and deep canyon that combines red sandstone cliffs with coniferous <br />forests (Anderson and Hopkins, 1982). It is also regionally significant for boating <br />recreation, based on observations of actual use and interviews with regional <br />recreation providers. It is also listed in the Nationwide Whitewater Inventory, <br />American Whitewater, 2006, even though it is more of a scenic float trip than a <br />whitewater experience. <br />Appendix "D" at p. D -15, Dolores River, McPhee to Bedrock <br />