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<br />002401 <br /> <br />Wild & Scenic River Designation <br />4-4-4-4 <br /> <br />Q. What effect will Wild and Scenic River designation have <br />on the private landowners in the Canyon? <br /> <br />A. Private property rights are protected in the legislation <br />and acquisition of public rights-of-ways or scenic <br />easements will be accomplished only where necessary <br />and through willing buyer - willing seller negotiations. <br /> <br />The Forest Service is required to pay fair market value <br />for all rights needed. It is estimated that the majority <br />of private rights needed are along the river where public <br />ownership does not now exist and is causing trespass over <br />private lands. <br /> <br />Q. Why was the poudre River studied for possible designation <br />in the Wild and Scenic River System? <br /> <br />A. Senator Peter H. Dominick recognized that the poudre <br />River contained sufficient natural scenic and fishery <br />values to be included as a national study river. Sen. <br />Dominick sponsored legislation in 1973 to include the <br />Cache la poudre as a study river and worked to support <br />the inclusion of this in S. 3022, which became law at the <br />end of the 93rd Congress. <br /> <br />There are no other rivers on the east slope of the Rocky <br />Mountains that possess the variety of outstanding river <br />values needed to qualify for this designation. <br />Designation of the river by Congress assures long term <br />management that is complimentary to the multiple values <br />found in the canyon. <br /> <br />Q. How will the legislation affect the development of sand <br />and gravel, oil and gas leases and mining claims in the <br />designated river corridor? <br /> <br />A. When the poudre River was designated by Congress as a <br />study river in P.L. 93-621, the study corridor was <br />withdrawn from mineral entry, leasing, or sand and <br />gravel sales. This condition has continued and will <br />be pernamently withdrawn when the legislation is signed <br />by the president. Valid existing mining claims are the <br />only subsurface property rights outstanding and it <br />appears that few if any exist. Those areas of the river <br />not designated in this legislation would be opened to <br />claims, and/or leases. It is doubtful that sand and <br />gravel activities would be permitted. <br />