Board Meeting 09/08/1983

• Board Meeting Date: 9/8/1983
• Description: Minutes, Agenda, Memorandums September 08,09, 1983
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

io the impacts on vested water rights and on future
changes in these water rights;
o the impact of attracting additional people to the area;
and
o the impact on road construction and maintenance.
Study Team Recommendation
Four alternatives were considered in the study process which
ranged from no action to designation of all eligible reaches of
the river. The study team' s preferred alternative was one which
would provide for the designation of 25 .6 miles (8, 192 acres) as
wild river on the North Fork, Middle Fork, El Rito Azul , and the
South Fork of the Conejos River and 13 . 2 miles (4, 224 acres) as
recreational river on the Conejos River from Platoro Reservoir to
the confluence with the South Fork. The lower reach of the
mainstem from the confluence with the South Fork to the Highway
17 bridge was not recommended for designation. See the attached
map for the recommended designations by reach.
Impacts of Designation (from Study Report)
o Wild river areas would be withdrawn from mineral entry.
• Recreational river areas would remain available for
entry with the exception of existing withdrawals .
o Water quality and the existing diversity of fish and
wildlife habitat would be maintained.
o Cultural resources would be protected.
o Recreational use would increase at a rate of five
percent annually.
o Federal water and power projects would not be permitted
without specific congressional approval.
o Acquisition of easements on private land was not
anticipated .
o Access for fire suppression would be non-motorized
and/or by air for wild river areas, and non-motorized,
motorized, and/or by air for recreational river areas.
o Livestock grazing would continue at 2 , 535 animal unit
months .
o A potential timber harvest of 29,000 board feet
annually from recreational river areas would be
• allowed.
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