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<br />'$ ,,~' ,0(':""- <br /> <br />001033 <br /> <br />....o.l_.!)..~~t,'. ,~'" <br /> <br />are several rapids, one severe. Through the roadless 6-mile <br />canyon, the rapids diminish, but side-canyon hiking (some <br />ephemeral tributaries lead into the heart of the La Sal Mountains or <br />up to the crest of the Uncompahgre Plateau) replaces them as a <br />sou rce of interest. <br /> <br />At the close of the canyon, the youngest, softest rocks appear. <br />For 11 miles the river flows through an arid valley between mesas <br />of uranium-bearing Morrison sandstone and shale. Inactive mines <br />are common, though they cannot generally be seen from the river. <br /> <br />Values <br /> <br />The rivers flow through a land of mostly bare and brilliant rock; <br />the dwarf forests of pinon and juniper high on the canyon walls <br />and the jungles of streamside tamarisk and cottonwood do not <br />obscure the processes by which the earth is shaped. Faults and <br />folds are obvious; the processes of erosion in barren land can be <br />seen in spires of sandstone and black flutings bored and polished <br />by the river. Geologic values, outstanding in themselves, con- <br />tribute to outstanding scenery; the contrast between red or black <br />rock and riparian greenery is striking. <br /> <br />Recreation values on both rivers were also found outstanding; note <br />only is a wide variety of recreation available -- open canoes can <br />run some areas, while pontoon rafts are needed in others -- but it <br />takes place in a setting whose beauty adds quality to the <br />experience, even as the opportuntiy for geologic study adds depth. <br /> <br />Habitat for endangered fish on the Colorado, the apparent presence <br />of nesting peregrine falcon, available habitat for bighorn sheep (a <br />re-introduction may be made in Westwater Canyon) and generally <br />broad, undisturbed ecosystems produced findings of outstanding <br />fish and wildlife values. <br /> <br />Archaeological studies revealed a number of sites along both rivers; <br />those on the Colorado were outstanding; they reveal a cultural <br />mixing area for Desert Archaic and Fremont Cultures, as well as <br />water diversion features and other aspects of Fremont life. Sites <br />on the Dolores were of less importance, and were not judged <br />outstanding. <br /> <br />Issues <br /> <br />Water development, uranium, clean air, river inventory in Utah. <br />Industrial Resources, Inc., plans a 38,000 acre-foot reservoir that <br />would flood the top 8 miles of the Colorado study segment and <br />withdraw about 320 cfs (average annual flow is about 5800 cfs; <br />average low about 2500) for irrigation and consumption in a coal- <br /> <br />9 <br />