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<br />002482 <br /> <br />CWCB <br />8/31/83 <br /> <br />GUNNISON RIVER <br /> <br />WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />Public Law 93-621 authorized the study of the Gunnison <br />River. The portion of river designated for study extended fran <br />the upstream (southern) boundary of the Black Canyon of the <br />. Gunnison National Monument downstream to the confluence with the <br />North Fork, a distance of approximately 29 miles. A joint <br />'Federal/ State study team was formed to conduct the study. <br /> <br />Eligibility and Classification <br /> <br />The study team found the upper 26 miles of the segment, from <br />the upstream boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison <br />National Monument to approximately one mile downstream of the <br />confluence with the Smith Fork, eligible for designation at the <br />wild river classification. The remaining 2.7 miles of the <br />segment contained no outstandingly remarkable values and was not <br />found eligible for inclusion in the National System. <br /> <br />Issues and Concerns (as expressed by the public) <br />The major issues and concerns expressed by the public were: <br /> <br />o Designation below the Black Canyon of the Gunnison <br />National Monument would prohibit proposed water <br />resources development in the gorge segment of the <br />river (e.g., the proposed Smith Fork Reservoir), <br /> <br />o The lower 2,7 miles between the Smith Fork and the <br />North Fork should be eligible for designation at the <br />recreational river level. <br /> <br />o Designation of the recommended reach of river is <br />necessary to preserve the river's "free flowing" <br />character and the river corridor's outstandingly <br />remarkable features. <br /> <br />705 <br />Gunn <br />