WSP05168

• File Number: 7630.225
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Elk River
• State: CO
• Date: 2/1/1970
• Author: US Forest Service
• Title: Elk WSR Study-Background Information-Guidelines for Evaluating Wild Scenic and Recreational River Areas Proposed for Inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Operating Principles/Plan

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ly associated with comparable rivers. In the event the
existing supply of water is inadequate, it would be neces-
sary to show that additional water can be provided reason-
ably and economically without unreasonably diminishing the
scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values of the
area.

"The river and its environment should be outstandingly re-
markable and, although they may reflect substantial evidence
of man's activity, should be generally pleasing to the eye.

"The river should be of high quality water or susceptible
of restoration to that condition. A concept of nondegrada-
tion whereby existing high water quality will be maintained
to the maximum extent feasible will be followed in all river
areas included in the national System.

All rivers included in the national system should meet the
"Aesthetics--General Criteria" as defined by the National
Technical Advisory Committee on Water Quality in the Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration's ~ Quality
Criteria, April 1, 1968. Water quality should meet the
criteria for fish, other aquatic life, and wildlife, as de-
fined in that document, so as to support the propagation of
those forms of life which normally would be adapted to the
habitat of the stream. Where no standards exist or where
existing standards will not meet the objectives of these
criteria, standards should be developed or raised to achieve
those objectives. Wild river areas can be included in the
national system only if they also meet the minimum criteria
for primary contact recreation, except as these criteria
might be exceeded by natural background conditions. Scenic
or recreation river areas which qualify for inclusion [n
the system in all respects except for water quality may be
added to the system provided adequate and reasonable assur-
ance is given by the appropriate Federal or State authority
that the water quality can and will be upgraded to the pre-
scribed level for the desired types of recreation, and
support aquatic life which normally would be adapted to the
habitat of the stream at the prescribed level of water qual-
ity. At such time as water quality fully meets the criteria,
it may be desirable to change the classification of a river.

"New public utility transmission lines, gas lines, water

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