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guidebook (published in 1994 by Westcliffe Publishers) for canyon areas managed by the BLM in Colorado that includes descriptions of these areas and the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area, among others. Most recently, I rafted and hiked the Dolores River to Bedrock in May, 2005. I plan to visit these areas again in the future. 5. A major attraction for visitors to the Dolores River Basin is encountering and exploring the area's abundant archeological sites in a remote and undeveloped setting. When one comes upon one of these sites iu pristine condition, it is easy to imagine the lives and challenges of their inhabitants over a thousand years ago. I also enjoy visiting these areas to study the desert ecosystems, flora, and fauna. 6. Another primary attraction of the Dolores River Basin is its generally undeveloped nature that appears primarily affected by the forces of nature and not of humanity. Undisturbed mesas, expanses of soil carpeted with biological soil crusts, remote canyons and fleeting views of uncommon wildlife such as the area's raptors, deer, pronghorn, river otters, and reptiles all combine to create an unusual recreational experience. However, I have observed that the fragile desert environment is easily scarred by human development activities, including road construction, mining, and associated motor vehicle travel that (cave long lasting imprints, and perhaps irretrievable disturb landscapes that will never be recovered to a natural setting in our lifetimes. 7. My recreational visits to the remote backcountry of the Dolores River Basin rely upon intermittent streams and ephemeral pools for drinking water. These water sources are precious and irreplaceable resources, without which recreational visitation and the recreational experience would be significantly impacted. For this reason, I have a particular interest in protecting the quality of these water sources.