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<br />10SJ <br /> <br />on the Arkansas River. Seven hydroelectric pOl'ter plants <br />with a total installed capacity of 179,400 kilowatts are <br />proposed. <br /> <br />4. A network of some 280 miles of transmission lines <br />servinc the l<lI'ger cities and communities of the Arkansas <br />Valley interconnecting vlith the proposed Blue-South Platte <br />system at Dillon, Coloraio. <br /> <br />5. To provide replacement storage on the western <br />slope for waters diverted, the project plan provides for <br />a reservoir 'on the Roaring Fork above Aspen, Colorado. <br /> <br />The follOl'r.ing analysis cOn:Jtitutes a brief preliminary <br />summar'J of our findings, iJDpressions, and reactions on the recre- <br />ational. aspects of the Initial Pla.!} of Developnent of the potential <br />Gunnison-Arkansas Project. <br /> <br />Western Slope <br /> <br />Proposed diversion sites are situated in the u~er regions <br />of the Fryingp.-m River and Hunter Creek \7atersheds at elevdions <br />averar;in[; over 10,000 feet adjacent to tJle Continentd Divide. This <br />rug[;ed section of mountainous terrain is not only e:jGreoely scenic <br />but constitutes an area rieh in natural, recreation2J. resources. <br />All of tllis <lI'ca is contained in the \'Illite TIiver Hational. }'orest. <br />For man;;- years residents of Colorado have relied on fishing and <br />huntinC resources of the Fryingpan <lI'ea for day use, weekend, and <br />vacation activities, and it is evident that an ever increasing <br />percentage of tourists are nO?1 being attracted to this section. <br />Except for the present State road along the main stream to Carleton <br />tunnel at the Divide (noVl closed) and a short spur up the Horth Fork <br />of the Fryingpan, the major part of this high region is inaccessible <br />to vehicular travel.. Travel by foot and horseback for access into <br />the greater part of this area has been an important factor in main- <br />taininc tile natural character of the upper Fr>jingpan watershed. <br />Because of the isolated position of a major part of the proposed <br />diversion area to motor roads, the balance botween exLsting recre- <br />ational use and available resources has been maintained in a favor- <br />able position. Along the 10\7Cr portion of the Fr;,'ingpan Valle"'J <br />are several guest rnnches, cabin Groups, public callq)[;I'ounds, and <br />=:c s=er homes that are vitally dependent on the recreational <br />resources of this bacJ: country for support. In addition, the area <br />provides recreational outlet for considerable day use activities <br />from nearby communities such as Basalt, Glem.'ood SprinCs, and <br />Grand Junction. <br /> <br />2 <br />