WSPC03188

• File Number: 7630.625
• Description: Wild and Scenic - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 8/31/1983
• Author: CWCB
• Title: Wild and Scenic River Studies - Colorado Rivers - 8-31-83 through 9-25-85 With Issues Page - Fact Sheet - Addendum to Final EIS
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

002034

in the system because of the non-Federal land ownership pattern,
water resource developments are not foreseen for the main channel
River in Segments 1 through 4.

Maj 0 I'
of the

Coincidentally, the areas not recommended for designation are also those
that were identified as probable locations for water resource develop~':-
ment in past studies. Current information (see discussions in Chapters
I and III) significantly reduces the feasibility of both the long-
proposed Grey Mountain and Idylwilde projects, Proposed construction
of water projects in these segments wou1d require further analysis of
their environmental impacts and compatibi1ity with wild and scenic river
values in adjacent areas of the river corridor_ An actual application
for a permit to use National Forest System lands for development is
requi red before the Forest Service position on mainstem water projects
is finalized,

D. Recommended Action by State of Colorado

The State of Colorado has carefully reviewed the Forest Service's Cache
la Poudre Wild and Scenic River Environmental Impact Statement and Study
Report and the recent Addendum, The State strongly supports designation
of the upper reaches of the Cache la Poudre River as a wild and scenic
river.

The State finds that the Cache'la Poudre possesses the "outstandingly
remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and IVildlife" and othel'
values that justify its protection in a fr0e-flowing condition, It is
one of the exceptional areas on the Front Range that provides white
water rafting and kayaking, camping and picnicking, suburb trout
fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and excellent hunting, The State
takes pride in the stretches of the River that provide wild trout and of
the herds of deer, elk, and bi ghorn sheep "hi ch are in Poudre Canyon_
Portions of the River run through the Cac~e 13 Poudre Wilderness and the
first few miles of the South Fork are within Rocky Mountain National
Park, It would be especially appropriate to designate the Cache la
Poudre as Colorado's first wild and scenic river, perhaps the only wild
and scenic river that will be designated east of the Continental Divide,

The State commends the thoughtfulness and thorough analysis of the
Forest Service's Report and Addendum. However, the State disagrees with
the recommended exclusions of portions of the River from designation
that contain private lands_ In the State's view, such exclusions are
inconsistent with the purposes of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and may
actually operate to the detriment of private property o\"ners. The State
recommends that all eight segments of the River be designated with
Segments 5, 6, and 8 designated as "wild" and Segments 1 through 4 and 7
as "recreational" (see Map 17)-

12