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River <br /> • <br /> Protection , <br /> Workgroup <br /> 39 <br /> ii y;Y <br /> f"?1,,vflr <br /> Protection Worck.g. roL. <br /> Sheet <br /> 5t r " <br /> http://ocs.fortlewis.edu/riverprotection <br /> This Information Sheet was prepared to educate participants involved in the San Juan River Workgroup. <br /> This version can be updated and changed as the Workgroup proceeds and as new information is made <br /> available or requested. Please refer to Glossary of Terms and the Glossary of Agencies handouts for <br /> clarification on any words used or entities mentioned (documents available at the meetings and on the <br /> Web site). <br /> Area of Focus: The Area includes the watersheds of the East Fork and West Fork of the San <br /> Juan River and all their tributaries down to where they join to form the San Juan River. The East <br /> Fork of the San Juan River basin includes over 2,810 acres of private land, with numerous <br /> decreed water rights. The West Fork of the San Juan basin includes 3,980 acres of private land, <br /> with numerous decreed water rights and spans Archuleta, Hinsdale and Mineral Counties. Please <br /> refer to the last page of this document for a map. <br /> Both the East Fork and West Fork were found to be "eligible" for Wild and Scenic Rivers ("WSR") <br /> designation by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the West Fork was found to be <br /> "preliminarily suitable." <br /> Values (in alphabetical order): <br /> Economic: agriculture; livestock grazing; municipal water supplies; outfitting businesses (water- <br /> related, hunting, fishing, etc.); public access; timber-related industries and firewood gathering; and <br /> water and water rights <br /> Fish: see below <br /> Flora: There is a population of a USFS Sensitive Species, Smith's whitlow grass (or Smith's <br /> draba), on the lower portion of the East Fork (refer to list of USFS Sensitive Species). <br /> Healthy Natural Landscape: These two watersheds are valuable because they represent a diverse <br /> ecosystem that encompasses a diversity of life zones starting with ponderosa pine up to alpine. They are <br /> healthy and in-tact and are wildlife movement corridors. Due to their overall "in-tactness", as well as the <br /> presence of Wilderness and Roadless Areas within the drainages, they maintain a wild quality. <br />