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<br />'. <br /> <br />- .- <br />.- <br /> <br />These recommendations have yet to be acted upon by Congress. A withdrawal along the river corridor <br />(Sec. 9, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act) expired in September 1981. nlh 105.mile reach of the river has also been <br />designated as the Dolores River CanyOll Special Recreacion Management Area by BLM because of its diversity <br />of resource dependent recreacion opportunities. <br /> <br />WILDERNESS OR WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS <br /> <br />The 32-mile stretch of the Dolores River from Little Gypsum Creek to Bedrock Bridge is located within <br />the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA). This 29,415-acre \VSA has been recommended to <br />Congress as suitable for wilderness designation (BLM-October. 1991). <br /> <br />2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVES 1,2 and 3 - The provision of adequate water at the appropriate times as <br />contemplated under Alternative I and Alternative 2 would result in the improvement of the tailwater fishery <br />downstream from McPhee Dam. The fishery could become self-sustaining, and with the continuation of catch- <br />and-reiease regulations, could support the sizes and numbers of trout to be designated a "Gold Medal Water" by <br />the CDOW. This would attract increasing numbers of fishennen, perhaps fulfilling the prediction contained in <br />the DPR of 10,000 recreation-days annually (USFWS memorandum of March 19, 1976). Increased fishing <br />activiry would result in increased economic benefits to the local area and to the nation as well. <br /> <br />The fishery would also benefit under Alternative 3, though not to the same extent, since sufficient water <br />may not be available during drought years to maintain water temperature at the necessary levels. The increase in <br />the numbers of fishennen would likely be limited proportionally. . <br /> <br />Enhancing the quality of the Dolores River fishety would generate benefits to anglers as the probability <br />of catching more and larger fish increases. However, the process of evaluating net economic benefits of <br />improving the quality, of the fishery is not straightforward. Fishing in the Dolores River is a' public resource and <br />the opporruniry is available free of charge to all individuals with a valid Colorado fishing licenses. Since a fee is <br />not charged for the opportunity to fish it is difficult to measure the benefits that accrue to anglers from the <br />improved fishery. <br /> <br />Social scientists have long acknowledged the possibility that humans could be affected by changes in <br />the condition of the natural environment even if they never visit or otherwise use these resources. These <br />individuals may be classified as non-users, and expression of their preferences regarding the status of the natural <br />environment may be tenned "non-use value". Non-use values are commonly classified into "bequest", <br />"existence" and "option" value. "Bequest" value is the value individuals place on preserving the resource for use <br />by future generations. "Existence" value is the benefit generated by knowing that a resource will continue to <br />exist in lhe future even if no onsite use is contemplated. "Option" value is the value of preserving a resource so <br />that the option to use the resource in the future is maintained. The benefits of non-Use values have not been <br />quantified, but would probably be present under all three alternatives. <br /> <br />Implementation of Alternatives 1,2 or 3 may result in an increase in the use of the developed <br />recreation areas, hiking and horseback riding activity which is related to fishing. Flows as low as 75-80 cfs may <br />provide an increase in low water fisher boating opponunities downstream .from .Bradfield Bridge, though 125 efs <br />is considered the preferred minimum floatable flow. The implementation of one of these alternatives would have <br />no significant effect on the ocher activities described in this section. .' <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVE 4 - This alternative would likely result In a significant decrease in the fish population, <br />which would be accompanied by a significant decrease in fishing activity. This would be accompanied by a loss <br /><Jf revenue 10 the local economy. Implementation of this alternative may result in a decrease in hiking and <br /> <br />40 <br />