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<br />THE WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS Acr OF 1968
<br />
<br />The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-542) states that it
<br />i8 ".... the policy of the United States thst certain selected rivers
<br />of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstand-
<br />ingly remsrkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife,
<br />historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in frep-
<br />flOWing condition, snd that they and their immediate environments shall
<br />be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of pre~~n.t and futur~ ge.n.e.ratioo.s."
<br />This Aet established an immediate system of wild and scenic rivers and
<br />provided for study of other candidate rivers,
<br />
<br />WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDIES IN COLORADO
<br />
<br />On January 3, 1975, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was amended by Public
<br />Law 93-621. This amendment listed segments of 12 rivers in Colorado to
<br />be studied for the feasibility and desirability of proposing them as
<br />potential inclusions in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The
<br />12 rivers are: the Big Thompson, Cache la Poudre, Colorado, Conejos,
<br />Elk, Encampment, Green, Gunnison, Los Pinos, Piedra, Yampa, and Dolores.
<br />
<br />STUDY OF THE DOLORES RIVER
<br />
<br />While the study deadlines for most Colorado rivers have been set for
<br />October 1979, Congress has called for study of the Dolores River to be
<br />completed by January 3, 1976. Those portions of the Dolores River to
<br />be studied, as listed in P.L, 93-621, Paragraph (56), are as follows:
<br />"The segment of the main stem from Rico upstream to its source, including
<br />its headwaters; the West Dolores from its source, including its headwaters,
<br />downstream to its confluence with the main stem; and the segment from the
<br />west boundary, section 2, township 38 north, range 16 west, NMPM, below
<br />the proposed McPhee Dam, downstream to the ,Colorado-Utah border, excluding
<br />the segment from one mile above Highway 90 to the confluence of the Ssn
<br />Miguel River."
<br />
<br />The study will be carried out by a joint Federal-State study team,
<br />including the Forest Service, U.S.D.A.; Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
<br />and Bureau of Land Management, U.S.D.I.; Colorado Department of Natural
<br />Resources; and other Federal and State agencies. Other local and
<br />regional organizations, citizena groups, and individuals are also being
<br />invited to participate in the study process.
<br />
<br />The Forest Service will be leading the study of the upper portions of
<br />the river, while the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation will be leading the
<br />study of the river below McPhee Dsmaite, near Dolores. The study report
<br />and Environmental Impact Statement will be jointlY submitted by the two
<br />agencies. The enclosed map shows the Dolores River study areas.
<br />
<br />The study report and Environmental Impact Statement should meet all
<br />requirements and guidelines of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the
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