Board Meeting 01/05/1984

• Board Meeting Date: 2/5/1984
• Description: Minutes, Agenda, Memorandums January 5,6, 1984
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

• 1. Presentation of wild and scenic rivers and wilderness
protection.
Mr. William M. (Milt) Robinson from the U.S. Forest Service
presented a discussion of federal legislation as it applies to
the establishment of wild and scenic rivers and wilderness
areas . Pertinent points mentioned by Mr. Robinson included:
(1) The differences in protection and operation of a
river in a wilderness area versus a wild and scenic
river.
(2) The Wilderness Act of 1964 prohibits commercial
enterprises, roads, and motorized vehicles.
However, prospecting and reconnaissance of the
mineral resources are allowed. The President may
authorize development of water resources within the
area, along with the necessary infrastructure.
(3) The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1971 preserves the
designated rivers in their free-flowing condition.
The Federal Power Commission shall not license any
dam or power facilities that would have an adverse
effect on the river without the consent of Congress
(which would remove the Wild and Scenic
designation) . Mineral deposits within 1/4 mile of
• the river are withdrawn from entry (as of January 1,
1984, this also applies to wilderness areas ) .
Motorboats can be used, and lodges constructed, as
long as they do not disturb the values protected by
the Act.
Mr. Vandemoer asked whether it is hard to administer an area
where a wild and scenic river is juxtaposed to a wilderness .
Mr. Robinson replied that Colorado has no experience in adminis-
tering wild and scenic rivers .
Mr. Smith asked whether the amount of water in the river is
important, as in the potential wild and scenic reach of the
Yampa, which is downstream of many agricultural diversions. Mr.
Robinson replied that if a certain flow were needed, it would be
quantified as a water right, but its priority date would be the
date of designation of the area (1984 or later) .
Mr. Johnston asked Mr. Robinson to admit that the main pur-
pose of designating a river in a wilderness area as a wild and
scenic river is to arrive at a reservation of water rights . Mr.
Robinson said this is not necessarily true.
In the September 1983 meeting, the Board reviewed study
rivers in the Rio Grande Basin and in southwestern Colorado. As
a follow-up to the Board' s request at that time, a review of four
• rivers--Yampa-Green, Elk, Encampment, and Colorado-Lower Dolores,
was presented by Danny Merriman. (Appendix D attached. )
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