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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />4. Concerns of Area Residents. A number of concerns were received from area residents <br />along the South Platte. These concerns focused primarily on protection of private <br />property from unauthorized trespass, wildfire hazards related to both authorized and <br />unauthorized campfires, the limited capabilities of local volunteer organizations in <br />responding to emergencies, and the crowding of roads that are used by residents. It is <br />strongly recommended that a special effort be made to include area residents in the <br />public participation process for development of a Recreation Management Plan. <br /> <br />5. Other Values. The South Platte Protection Plan has focused primarily on those <br />"outstandingly remarkable values" identified by the U.S. Forest Service because that is <br />the standard that the Forest Service must use in judging the Plan. The exclusion of other <br />important values including wide varieties of wildlife, the high quality rock climbing along <br />the North Fork and the all-terrain vehicle trails above Nighthawk, as well as many more, <br />were not intended to exclude those values from consideration in the Recreation <br />Management Plan. It is further recommended that mining and timbering policies in the <br />area be planned and managed in a manner consistent with recreation, wildlife, and <br />scenic values. <br /> <br />6. North Fork Management. Jefferson County Open Space, through its land acquisitions <br />process, will consider the management of additional lands along the North Fork within <br />Jefferson County. A precise boundary division between the State Parks/USFS <br />partnership and Jefferson County Open Space should be determined as part of a <br />Recreation Management planning process. In the area through Bailey Canyon on the <br />. North Fork, it is recommended that the U.S. Forest Service manage for a special <br />recreation area with emphasis on whitewater recreation, but inclusive of other appropriate <br />dispersed recreation activities. <br /> <br />OTHER WATER SUPPLY OPERATIONS <br /> <br />Water suppliers and Front Range local governments have engaged in developing Alternative <br />A2 because of the great significance this part of the South Platte represents in meeting the <br />water supply needs of present and future customers. It is estimated that well over half of the <br />people of the State of Colorado receive water supply through water systems that rely heavily <br />on this part of the South Platte. As such, this river plays a key role in the socio-economic <br />viability of our state. It is critical that this key role be protected and maintained, and that <br />sufficient flexibility will be maintained to accommodate changes to these systems for future <br />growth. Water suppliers are committed to working closely with those representing other <br />interests on the river in order to protect and enhance all of the important values of the river. <br /> <br />The Forest Service Draft LEIS reflects the tremendous variability in flow that currently can <br />occur on the River. The Draft LEIS states that flow currently varies between 10 cfs and <br />6,300 cfs. In addition, it should be expected new water will be brought through the mainstem <br />over time. Much of this increased flow reflects conditional water rights already in place <br />where there is substantial reliance on the ability to use the mainstem as a part of the <br />conveyance process. Additionally, new water will come from projects that are under <br /> <br />8 <br />