WSP00596 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Recreation The primary recreation on the Dolores River in the form of whitewater river rwming, including rafts, canoes, and kayaks, occurs primarily fran mid-April through the end of June. The injection ~ll site would be located near the take-out point of most river runners. According to the proposed construction schedule, however, drilling operations would most likely occur during the off- season, thus minimizing the effects on river running. After construction of the injection ~ll, the test facilities would be law in profile and situated away fran the river, keeping effects on scenery to a minimun. Sane hiking, back- packing, and hunting occur in the fall season when the river is law. These recreationists would experience sane reduction in the quality of their experience during construction and operation of the two-year test while passing through the irnnediate area. The BIM, with Reclamation funding fran the Dolores project, is planning to construct recreation facilities for rafting near the proposed test site. Sane of this construction may take place during the proposed test. Based upon =rent plans and site review with field personnel fran BJ:M the proposed unit would not affect the proposed wild and scenic river corridor designation. Land Acquisition Reclamation has acquired approximately 452 acres in fee title, and easerrents on about 270 acres of privately awned land for the unit. Prior to acquisition, this land was used primarily for livestock grazing. After completion of the project any land not needed for project purposes would IOOst likely be tranferred to BIM. Air and Noise Quality The test would have short-term impacts during the construction period. &nissions and dust fran construction equij:lllE!nt and the moving of earth and aggregate would increase particulate levels and decrease local air quality during construction, but dust abaterrent procedures, such as sprinkling, would minimize these effects. Noise generated by construction equij:lllE!nt would be concentrated at the isolated construction sites and would not affect the local population. DJring construction it would, however, have sane effect on the recreational value of the area to river rwmers. On-site air and noise levels would be within limits defined by Federal standards. Long-term effects to air and noise quality resulting fran operation and maintenance activities, such as electric IOOtors at the pumping and injection sites and an occasional truck moving up the road to the site, would be relatively insignificant. Wilderness study Areas The proposed test site is irlnEdiately adjacent to the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area, an area of approximately 28,630 acres (see frontispiece map). This land has been recannended as suitable for wilderness designation by the BIM (San Juan-San Miguel Final Resource Managerrent Plan, December 1984). 14 (:0 ~ r , ' ~ .)