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cases? Because Congress could potentially enact legislation to designate the 3+miles as a <br /> recreation river under the W&SR Act, water users are concerned that the USFS will seek to file <br /> statements of opposition in all new water rights applications and change of water rights cases in <br /> the 3+miles. It was unclear whether the USFS would file statements of opposition in new water <br /> rights cases or would the simply seek to manage its land within the reach. The potential effect of <br /> a suitability designation on water rights issues is the"800-pound gorilla". Will the USFS seek to <br /> protect the stream reach from any future water development? The proposed West Fork Reservoir <br /> is to store 20,000 - 36,000 AF just below Boot Jack. The reservoir may affect only a very narrow <br /> point on the stream. <br /> Most of the current water rights in the 3+mile lower reach are owned in association with one, <br /> 2000-5000 acres of Boot Jack Ranch. While the current owner of the Boot Jack Ranch may not <br /> seek protection for water rights issues from USFS objection, a future owner might do so. Boot <br /> Jack Ranch is on the market according to recent newspaper articles. Future owners of the Ranch <br /> may wish to change the use of the Ranch's water rights to allow more development on the Ranch <br /> or a portion thereof, or to sell the water off the property for others to use for different purposes in <br /> different areas. <br /> Mark suggested the ORV regarding geology was the result of exposure to water. <br /> The issue of the USFS interest in objecting to applications for changes of water rights or for new <br /> rights is also an issue regarding the Upper Animas below Silverton where there are extensive <br /> private land holdings upstream. <br /> A3 Core Groups who identify with West Fork <br /> • Boot Jack land and water rights owner(s) <br /> • Other private land &water rights owners <br /> • Travelers &tourist viewing of the valley <br /> • Pagosa Springs community <br /> • Land conservation groups <br /> • Anglers <br /> • Outdoor enthusiasts <br /> • Geologists with several field schools <br /> • SW land alliance <br /> • The Conservation Fund <br /> • GOCO <br /> • Hunters <br /> • Colorado Division of Wildlife re cutthroat trout on Himes Creek <br /> • Mineral/Archuleta Counties (Boards of County Commissioners) <br /> A4 River Protections in Place <br /> • Wilderness begins about 1/4 mile above highest private property <br /> • Some conservation easements <br /> • Mineral County without land use plan in this area <br /> • USFS theme in draft plans for this area is recreation. Proposed suitability designation- wild <br /> in wilderness,recreation outside wilderness <br /> 2 <br />