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Becca said if this group thinks current protections are adequate, she does not believe they have <br /> to be forced into coming up with an alternative to suitability. She thinks this group has the <br /> option to say current protections are adequate without the suitability finding. She said the <br /> group has three possible recommendations it could make: <br /> 1. Current protections are adequate without suitability. <br /> 2. Current protections are adequate if an alternative is found. WSR designation is not <br /> desired. <br /> 3. WSR designation is desired. <br /> Several group members said there are numerous laws and agencies that already protect rivers, <br /> including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National <br /> Environmental Policy Act, and wetlands protections. Mely said authorization by the Army Corps <br /> does not always mean a project will adequately protect river values, and said after a certain <br /> reservoir was built on the Colorado River in 1984, the entire population of sculpin below the <br /> reservoir died, as did the macro invertebrate population. <br /> Marsha said anyone who wants to provide more information about existing protections through <br /> laws and agencies can do so, and it will also be noted that there is a whole array of regulations, <br /> laws and agencies that private land owners deal with. <br /> There was agreement that there is not currently consensus support for a WSR"suitability" on <br /> the West Fork of San Juan River for either the West Fork stretch that is public land nor for the <br /> stretch that is private land. There was then discussion of whether No. 1 or No. 2 of Becca's <br /> choices was preferable. Kathy said she could not support No. 2 unless she knows what the <br /> alternative would be. Mely said the two choices are not that different. <br /> The group decided that before making final recommendations,they wanted to hear from the <br /> landowners involved, as well as from Bob Formwalt regarding the zoning district. She said the <br /> two choices (#1 and #2 above)will be left on the table until more information can be obtained <br /> for the next meeting. Then the group decided that at the next meeting the East Fork will be <br /> discussed. Then, the group will make their final report. <br /> J.R. Ford said the real threats that need to be addressed are the possibility of a reservoir and of <br /> mining. If those are addressed, that might provide enough protection. He suggested getting a <br /> commitment from the water district regarding whether it would employ eminent domain. Pete <br /> said the district still has a storage right on the West Fork. <br /> Marsha said the group will be receiving a document via e-mail with answers to other questions <br /> and information. At this meeting, the Pagosa Range District Office had produced mineral maps <br /> for everyone to review. <br /> Next meeting: The next meeting was set for Thursday, Nov. 18thth (NOTE:This meeting has <br /> been rescheduled to be on the 29th of November at 5:30 p.m. due to the fact a high number of <br /> 5 <br />