WSP04074

• File Number: 7630.300
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Gunnison River
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 3/20/1986
• Author: Michael L Strang
• Title: Corres Reports etc 1986-Summary of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Complex Legislation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act shall be cited as the "Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park Complex Establishment Act of 1986".

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS.
findings:

The Congress hereby makes the following

(1) There eKist unique natural and manmade land and
water resources along approximately 100 miles of the
Gunnison River located in Gunnison, Montrose, and Delta
Counties in Western Colorado.

(2) That the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is
a single canyon system extending 50 majestic miles
along the Gunnison River exhibiting the only combination
of spectacular two thousand foot sheer canyon walls within
the narrow confines of Precambrian rock to be found in
North America, and represents the natural geologic link
which unites natural, scenic and scientifically
significant gorges, and both natural and manmade land,
water, and other recreational resources.

(3) This awesome creation of the powers of nature and
the manmade recreational resources surrounding it, provide a
scenic spectacle and endangered wildlife habitat as well as a
variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including
swimming, boating, water skiing, hunting, fishing, whitewater
rafting, hiking, horseback riding, off road vehicle touring,
camping, photography, geologic and scientific study, solitude
and other recreational experiences for visitors from around
the world. They also yield, store and convey waters, the
previous and subsequent use of which is vital to a varietv of
beneficial uses.

(4) In order to protect the scenic, recreational, fish
and wildlife values of the segment designated hereinafter and
in order to avoid conflict with water rights vested under
Colorado law, water rights held by the Colorado Ute Electric
Association, Inc. and the City of Delta must also be acquired
without condemnation as provided herein. The water right
decreed to the City of Delta in Civil Action No. 3503, in
former Water District 40 on March 20, 1954 for the Gunnison
Pipeline with a point of diversion within the segment
designated hereinafter, need not be so acquired as said water
right may be fully exercised at alternate points of diversion
outside the segment designated hereinafter.