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<br />" <br /> <br />u.s. Department of the Interior <br />Bureau of Land Management <br />Royal Gorge Field Office <br />3170 E. Main Street <br />Canon City, CO 81212 <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT <br /> <br />NUMBER: CO-200-2005-0037 EA <br /> <br />CASEFILE/PROJECT NUMBER (optional): <br /> <br />PROJECT NAME: Recreation - South Main River Park Recreation Development/Buena Vista <br />Whitewater Park <br /> <br />PLANNING UNIT: Arkansas River, #1 <br /> <br />LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Chaffee County, 6th Principal Meridian <br />T.14S., R.78W., Section 9 SW~SE~ <br /> <br />APPLICANT: Town of Buena Vista <br /> <br />ISSUES AND CONCERNS: Development of the South Main River Park by the Town of Buena <br />Vista could have an impact on the adjacent BLM lands through increased use ifnot properly <br />managed. Increased use of this river corridor could result in impacts to the public lands if <br />facilities are not constructed to control (manage) the use. There is also a concern as it relates to <br />the placement of structures in the river channel. These concerns stem from the diversion of <br />water and possible stream bank deterioration, possible impacts to the riparian vegetation, and <br />possible impacts to the fishery. There is also a concern that by increasing the private boating use <br />in this section of the river the carrying capacity could be reached thus triggering the need for a <br />private boater permit system. <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES: <br /> <br />Introduction: The Arkansas River flows southeast ofthe high mountain community of Buena <br />Vista, passing through massive native granite boulders as it splashes its way towards Browns <br />Canyon, one of the most popular whitewater runs in the nation. The Town of Buena Vista has <br />developed a diverse palette of recreational opportunities along the Arkansas with the Midland <br />Trail pedestrian bridge, sports fields, one in-stream whitewater feature (completed in 2003) and a <br />skateboard park. Immediately adjacent to the Buena Vista River Park, The Town Company, <br />LLC has purchased 35 acres along the Arkansas and are in the process of developing a mixed <br />use, new urbanism based development that will define the future growth of Buena Vista in many <br />ways. The Town Company, in concert with the Town of Buena Vista, has funded this <br />conceptual plan in order to explore the creation of a multi-use, recreational stream corridor <br />