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<br />002013 <br /> <br />CWCB' <br />B/31/B3 <br /> <br />LOS PINOS <br /> <br />WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY <br /> <br />Backqround <br /> <br />Public Law 93-621 directed that the Los pinos River, along <br />with eleven other Colorado rivers, be studied as potential <br />additions to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (National <br />System). The study, as mandated by Congress, encanpassed an <br />approximately one-half mile wide corridor along the Los Pinos <br />River and its tributaries within the Weminuche Wilderness Area. <br />A joint Federallstate study team was formed to perform the study. <br /> <br />Eligibility and Classification <br /> <br />The Los Pinos River above the Granite Peaks Ranch and its <br />major tributaries of Lake Creek, Flint Creek, Rincon La Osa, <br />Rincon La Vaca, Snowslide Canyon, and Sierra Vandera were found <br />eligible for inclusion in the National System. The other smaller <br />tributaries were not eligible. All of the eligible reaches met <br />the wild river classification (see attached map). <br /> <br />Issues and Concerns (as expressed by the public) <br /> <br />The major issues expressed by the public were: <br /> <br />o Designation would foreclose the opportunity for the Pin.e <br />River Irrigation District to develop its conditional <br />water storage rights at Emerald Lake. <br /> <br />o Desingation would attract additional recreationists, <br />which could result in the depreciation of wilderness <br />values through overuse. <br /> <br />o Designation would foreclose new entry for mineral <br />prospecting in the wild river area. <br /> <br />Study Team Recommendation <br />Three alternatives were considered in the study process: <br /> <br />o Alternative A -- Do not include the Los Pinos River and <br />its tributaries in the National System. The need for <br />double classification was questioned since the entire <br />study segment is already in a designated wilderness. <br /> <br />705 <br />LP <br />