Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This concern can best be addressed by listing a number of steps <br />yet to come. The Dolores River is a long way from becoming a <br />component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; concerned <br />citizens and groups will have plenty of chance to influence the <br />final outcome. However, like any earnest participation in the <br />democratic process, this will demand vigilance, careful thought, <br />and hard, honest work. Many people know and care about the Dolores <br />River in many different ways; the final result will reflect the <br />efforts of those who care most, know their facts, and work hardest. <br /> <br />j.~ <br />., <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />The following opportunities exist for continued public input: <br /> <br />A. The Study Team is still receiving input. By this, we mean <br />that we are still accepting new factual information that will <br />help us in our decisions. <br /> <br />B. By early to mid-November, a draft of the Study Team's Dolores <br />Wild and Scenic River Report will be forwarded to Colorado <br />Governor Richard Lamm, and to all concerned State and Federal <br />agencies for administrative review. Within 15 'to 20 days, <br />these agencies will rcturn their comments,to the Study Team <br />and a final ~eport will then be, prepared. <br /> <br />C. In early December, the study report and a draft environmental <br />impact statement (DES) will be released and circulated to all <br />interested parties. The environmental statement will describe <br />the study proposal, its impacts, and will evaluate alternative <br />proposals. Written comments on the DES will be received for <br />a period of 45 days after the statement is released. Separate <br />written comments will be accepted on the study report; however, <br />these comments will be needed sooner so that they can be sent <br />to Washington to accompany the submitted report. <br /> <br />D. No later than January 3, 1976, a final report will be submitted <br />to the President and Congress. All comments on the draft <br />environmental impact statement will be included with the final <br />statement which will be completed in early 1976. <br /> <br />E. Congress will consider the recommendations contained in the <br />final documents, and the proposed Dolores Wild and Scenic River <br />will go through the normal legislative process. Because of <br />the many and varying differences in opinion on the future of <br />this river, field hearings are almost certain. The public <br />will be amply notified as to the place, date, and time of these. <br />Congressional committees will also be open to comment; the <br />Colorado Congressional delegation, especially, will be open <br />to public input. <br /> <br />1\ <br /> <br />F. If Congress votes any portion of the Dolores into the National <br />Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a Management Plan will still <br />have to be drawn. This plan must be published in the Federal <br />Register, and will not become effective for 90 days. This <br />process, again, allows ample time for all interested parties <br />to review the plan for reasonableness. <br /> <br />\. <br /> <br />10 <br />