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. . ~ . .~ . ..-4'"l oJ' __..~-.. ..., ~ ~ 003031 @ -----'---- I ?ThepggO~~Sl!ri!!gs-~~-~ (i[J "Uome of the World'. Large.t and Hollnt MIMTaI Spring" VOLUME 67 -NO, 46 PqouSprlnlP. AR'howtaCollntY. CoJora.do81147 Independent In E\.e~lhlng, Neutral In Nothing TlIURSDA Y, SEPTE:\IBER 30. 1976 Piedra bill passed the house; nowin Senate' The bill introduced by Con- ;ressman Frank EVilf\s to delete ~e tributaries of the Piedra River rom the Wild and Scenic River ~ Monday p.t!>~d the House of :epresenlath.C$. It voll then be ent to the Senate for Senate ,""", The bill Wil:!I referred to a IIb<ommiltee head by Colorado enator Floyd Haskell. Congress- Ian Evans \ay5 that he expects o trouble in the ?nuge of the '- "" .&.,. " bill in the Senate. This will mean Ihat the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, in respect 10 the Piedra, has been succnsfully amended. Under tile amendment the tributaries and headwaters of the Piedra River would be CIcmpted from. the Wild and Scenic River Act. The measure, which was sponsored and introduced by Evans, would not esempt the Piedra proper, nor would it JX.47r #/4:-4., ,;z ~ i~~.2c~ 7 d, ~~ "'-0/ ~~~ ~ ,/V-'.r-z-...-L/' elempt the tributaries within the Weminuche Wilderness Area boundary . Evans said, "The study, which included the tributaries and headwaters, was the only one of its kind in the nation under the ad." Evans elplained. "I am intCTesled in the study of the Piedra itself, but inclusion of tributaries was a threat to the economy of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta- County. By uempting tributaries residents of that area can keep their jobs and the Piedra proper will be preserved if it meets the criteria." Evans further commented that he feh there would be no trouble in the Senate with the bill. Also included "'.e1'e provisions for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of the flathead River in Montana. 149 miles of the M~uri River in Montana, the Obed River in Tennessee, and included for studv were the Housatonie River in' Connecticut and the Feather River in CaIibrnia. The Piedra Wild and Scenic River study was imposing a great hardship upon Archuleta and Hinsdale Counties. The act. in affect. made it impos.sible for any new timber contracts to be let in the entire Piedra draina~e above . High.....ay 100. A big percentage of the raw timber th.lt wpplies the San JUAB lumber Co. mill here ,~fromthatare.a. It was estimated that it migh take up to two or three years t make the study, hearings mu" then be held, statements pre p<lred. and the bill would Ihen b. sent 10 Congress for a('tion, Tha mighl lengthen the process b: anolher year or two, then tho Forest Service ",.ould have I. prepare managemenl plans Ot the basis of the a,"tion laken b' Congress. . Still funher delay would the take place and it woutd be $Om ti~e bdore timber could h adveni!oCd and sold. All in all, th process might take eight yeu!> One Fore!>t Service official. i; commenting on the passage 0 Evans' bill, said. "This ha bought us at least five years i, .....hich we can manage the are. under the multiple use concepl, The major ponion of the Piedr Ranger District is nolY bein studied for land managemer. plans. This is estimated to r completed .....ithin the nelt IS to I mOnlhs. in the meantime Sa Juan is assured of a firm timbt supply for the local mill. It is doubtful if the mill coul hne stayed in operation until complete sludy was made of t~ Piedra Rh'er under the origin; provi<;.ion.. of the \""ild and Sce.... Ri..er Act. Th;1! would have meJ.; a \0'05 or the mill p.1)"roll, ....hieh i more tba:t ol1e miJlion dolla.s p{ )'ear and W1)uld have thrown mor..J Ul3n 200 men out of work. ~