WSPC02961

• File Number: 7630.285
• Description: Wild and Scenic - General
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 8/31/1983
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Status of Colorado Wild and Scenic River Studies - As of August 1983
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CWCB
8/31/83

CONEJOS RIVER

WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY

Background

Public Law 90-542, as amended, directed the Secretary of
Agriculture to study the Conejos River for possible inclusion in
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (National System), A
joint Federal/State study team was organized in Sept ember, 1975,
to perform the study, which was to include "the three forks fran
their source to their confluence, thence the Conejos River to its
first junction with State Highway 17, excluding Platoro
Rese-rvoir. II

Eligibility and Classification

The study team concluded th~t the North Fork, Middle Fork,
El Rito Azul, and South Fork were eligible for inclusion in the
"National system at the wild river classification. The Conejos
River from Platoro Reservoir to the Highway 17 bridge was found
eligible for inclusion at the recreation river classification.

Issues and Concerns (as expressed by the public)

During the course of the study, a series of five public
meetings was held in Colorado and New Mexico fran September,
1975, through July, 1979.

The major issues and concerns raised were:

o protection of wild, scenic, and recreation river
values;

o the effects of easements and government restrictions on
private landowners;

o the effects of the loss of grazing privileges;

o the minimum water flows required to maintain wild and
scenic river values;

o the possible impacts on the administration of the Rio
Grande Compact;

o the effects on the operation of Platoro Reservoir;

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Con/Ri v