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001598 . Present Nonconsumptive Recreation Utilization - The Upper Colorado River Basin is one of America's outstanding recreation and tourist areas in a quality environment setting. The framework study reconnnended that the high quality recreation, fish and wildlife, and open space values of the Upper Colorado Region be recognized as national assets that should be preserved arid given special recognition in land and water use planning. Although mostly arid to semiarid, the region provides a wide variety of opportunity for water-related recreation activities. The water resource base includes natural lakes, reservoirs, perennial and intermittent free-flowing rivers and streams. Interestingly, a major part of the demand for water-related recreation has been generated by the relatively recent development of large reservoirs. These and several of the rivers are of national importance and draw recrea- tionists from throughout the country. ' The Upper Colorado River Framework Study inventory of recreation resources showed that nearly 350,000 acres of water were available for recreation. Most of this use is concentrated at a few widely scattered multiple-use reservoirs. The associated demand for water- based recreation activity was estimated at nearly 7 million recreation days in 1965. Recreation demand was projected to increase nearly sixfold by 2020. More than 90 percent 9f this demand derives from recreationists living outside of the region. While no wild, scenic, or recreational rivers have been established in the region under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 196B, various water courses have valuable qualities that warrant further considera- tion for protection in their natural condition. Being a relatively dry area, even those that will not qualify for designation under the Act are very important for wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and related recreation activities. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act declares it to be the policy of the United States that: , " certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their innnediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction of appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes. 24