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<br />0020J5 <br /> <br />COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD <br />823 State Centennial Building <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br /> <br />January 5-6, 19B4, Board Meeting <br /> <br />ELK RIVER <br />WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />Public Law 93-621 authorized the study of the Elk River from <br />its source to Clark for potential inclusion in the National wild <br />and Scenic River System. A joint FederallState study team was <br />formed to conduct the study. <br /> <br />Eligibility and Classification <br /> <br />The study team found the entire 35 miles of river studied <br />were eligible for inclusion in the National System. Seventeen <br />miles of river were classified as wild river area, 12 miles as <br />scenic river area, and 6 miles as recreational river area. <br /> <br />Issues and Concerns (as expressed by the public) <br /> <br />The major issues regarding river designation expressed by <br />the public were: <br /> <br />o The Federal government should not force private land <br />owners to open their lands to public use through access <br />easements. <br /> <br />o The extent to which scenic easement provisions will <br />restict landowner's freedom to develop their land was a <br />great concern. <br /> <br />o There was also concern that the public access easements <br />to the river, along the river, and for use in floating <br />the river would result in littering and trespass on <br />adjacent or private lands. <br /> <br />o Inclusion of the lower main stem of the Elk River in the <br />National System would stop construction of the potential <br />Hinman Park Reservoir. Most landowners did not want <br />construction of the reservoir, nor did they want <br />inclusion of the Elk River in the ~ational System. Some <br />landowners favored inclusion of the Elk River as a <br />possible way to stop reservoir construction. <br /> <br />la3 <br />w/s/rl (e/r) <br />