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<br />,", li1i'\. ~~{;'~~ <br /> <br />"(3) That notwithstanding the wilderness status of the <br />lower South Fork of White River Canyon the Federal <br />Power Commission retains jurisdiction for the issuance <br />of hydroelectric license in the event the result of the <br />District's studies under the permit justify license <br />applications. <br /> <br />"In furtherance of such passage, the Secretary-Engineer is <br />directed to advise by letter the Members of the Colorado Congressional <br />Delegation and the Govern'or of Colorado of the Board's action, and the <br />members of the District Staff are authorized to appear and testify in <br />support of such legislation at any Congressional Committee hearings <br />which may thereon be had. " <br /> <br />The River District has started work under the Federal Power Commission <br /> <br />preliminary study permit mentioned above. As a result we would like to suggest <br /> <br />that some additional lands be included within the S. 702 proposed Flattops <br /> <br />Wilderness boundary and some be excluded pending full study. <br /> <br />Our early studies under the preliminary Federal Power Commission permit <br /> <br />indicate that the South Fork of the White River Meadows area (lands of the District's <br /> <br />proposed Rio Blanco Reservoir) should be included within the wilderness boundary <br /> <br />with the exception of a small tract around a long-established resort and the <br /> <br />associated road access. <br /> <br />The request by the River District Board that an exception be allowed for <br /> <br />maintenance of reservoirs" headgates and ditches by machinery is based on a <br /> <br />concern for safety. There are many small reservoirs and ditches within the <br /> <br />boundary proposed by the S. 702 map. An undefined but fairly large number of <br /> <br />these structures were in existence before the surrounding national forest was <br /> <br />established. These reservoirs and ditches cannot be adequately and safely <br /> <br />-5- <br />