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<br />~...... <br /> <br />-n02395 <br /> <br />CWCB <br />9/25/85 <br /> <br />ISSUES CONCERNING WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATIONS <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.L. 90-542), which <br />was passed in 1968, established the policy that certain of the <br />Nation's rivers should be preserved in their free-flowing <br />condition. No Colorado rivers were included in the original act <br />either for designation or study. A 1975 amendment (P.L. 93-621) <br />to the original act designated twelve Colorado rivers for study: <br />the Big Thompson, Cache la Poudre, Colorado, Conejos, Dolores, <br />Elk, Encampment, Green, Gunnison, Los Pinos, Piedra, and Yampa <br />Rivers. <br /> <br />The studies on the Colorado rivers are completed. However, <br />none have been designated by Congress for inclusion in the <br />national system. <br /> <br />Discussion of General Issues <br /> <br />1. What are the benefits of designation? <br /> <br />To be eligible for wild and scenic river designation, a <br />river must exhibit not only a "free-flowing" condition, <br />but also have "outstandingly remarkable values," as <br />defined in the statute. Generally speaking, many <br />people feel that designation, and the land management <br />aljthorities which it entails, will tend to preserve <br />rivers and their environs (i.e., the environment of the <br />river corridor) in their present state and preserve the <br />recreational opportunities associated therewith. <br />However, others fear that designation will attract more <br />people and result in over. use and degradation of the <br />very environment which one seeks to preserve. Local <br />land-owners often express this latter point of view. <br /> <br />To the extent recreational opportunities are preserved, <br />associated tourism could be maintained or even <br />increased, with the attendant benefits to local and <br />state tax revenues and general economic activity. <br />However, the recreational activities which would be <br />associated with a designated river would be relatively <br />low intensity uses compared to other activities. <br />Economic benefits would vary accordingly. <br /> <br />2. What is the effect of designation on water resource <br />development? <br /> <br />Designation would foreclose development of water <br />resources facilities (e.g., dams, water conduits, <br /> <br />319 <br />riv <br />