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<br />000376 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />relocation, maintenance, litter, enforcement, and liability on the <br />land covered by the easement. <br /> <br />What about water riqhts? <br /> <br />The segments in Colorado that were recommended for designation <br />are free-flowing even with their existing water rights, so there <br />will be no interference with existing water rights. They can con- <br />tinue to be operated and maintained. <br /> <br />Will desiqnation attract hOrdes of people and the problems <br />they brinq? <br /> <br />Again, research provides mixed answers; but, in general, <br />greatly expanding numbers- of people are taking to the rivers whether <br />they are designated or not. This has proved true on the Middle <br />Fork of the Salmon, in Idaho, which was designated in 1968 and has <br />almost no private land; on the st. Croix in Minnesota and Wisconsin, <br />which is almost all private land; and on the Colorado near Radium, <br />which has never been considered for designation. In general, those <br />rivers which can be floated have experienced a small (10-15 percent) <br />immediate increase in out-of-state use right after designation. <br />River running has been increasing at 25-30 percent per year in most <br />of the country, so the increase is about one-half year's worth. <br />Much of this increase is not directly due to designation but to the <br />distribution of guidebooks and informational materials, either pri- <br />vately Or by the managing agency. There is no data on increased use <br />of unfloatable, designated rivers, but the increased use caused by <br />designation should be even smaller. <br /> <br />Increased use from whatever source has caused some landowner- <br />user conflicts, generally over livestock harassment, trespass, and <br />litter. Counterbalancing this are (1) the limits on use which <br />managing agencies generally institute on designated rivers; (2) <br />informational campaigns to show users what land they may use and <br />how they must treat it; and (3) the fact that enforcement and main- <br />tenance is taken over by the managing agency. In all cases surveyed <br />by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, managing <br />agencies and landowners agreed the river corridor was in better <br />shape after designation than before. <br /> <br />What effects does desiqnation have on the local economy? <br /> <br />In general, the effects are small and positive. Increases in <br />tourism are registered, particulary if the river supports commercial <br />river outfitters. Increases in other services--e.g., canoe liveries, <br />gas stations, grocery stores--also take place. River designation <br />adds a small layer to an area's economy. <br /> <br />The use of scenic easements, as opposed to fee title <br />condemnation, also keeps land on the county tax rolls. Since mOst <br />of the counties in Colorado already are at or near their ceiling <br />for federal payments in lieu of taxes, very little compensatory <br />revenue would result if these lands were condemned. By keeping this <br /> <br />-5- <br />