as
given in the “Dolores River Wild and Scenic Study Report” completed
by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of the Interior as revised
in 1978.
The Dolores River from 1.3 miles below the
McPhee Dam to the Bradfield Bridge qualifies as a Recreational
river under the Act.
The Dolores River from Bradfield Bridge to Disappointment Creek qualifies as Scenic under the act. This includes a portion within the citizen-proposed Snaggletooth Wilderness, and includes the most dramatic whitewater recreation segment.
The Dolores River from Disappointment Creek
to the Little Gypsum Valley Bridge qualifies as Recreational
under the Act.
The Dolores River from the Little Gypsum valley
Bridge to the Colorado Highway 90 Bridge qualifies as Wild under
the Act. This segment falls within the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness
Study Area.
Further the Wild San Juans Plan supports the following
recommendations set forth in the “Wild and Scenic River Study
and Final Environmental Statement for the Colorado and Lower Dolores
Rivers,” completed in 1979 by the National Park Service,
the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and the Utah Department
of Natural Resources. The following reaches of the river are marked
by outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geological and
wildlife values.
The Dolores River from Gateway to Fisher Creek
qualifies for Scenic designation under the Act.
The Dolores River from Fisher Creek (river
mile 17 to river mile 11) to Bridge Canyon qualifies as Wild
under the Act.
The Dolores River from Bridge Canyon to its
confluence with the Colorado River qualifies for Scenic designation
under the Act.
Much of the Dolores River that is recommended for
designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is out of the
boundaries of the San Juan National Forest Plan Revision Process.
However, the river should be included to its confluence with the
Colorado River. The river below the dam deserves to be considered
as a whole in determining proper management prescriptions. This
is an outstanding natural landscape, which includes several unique
plant and animal communities. Most of the land bordering the river
is under public ownership and the river is highly regulated by
the McPhee Dam. This resource will require coordinated management
in order to preserve these resources for the future.
|
The
Dolores River mainstem from McPhee Reservoir to the river’s
sources above Rico (excepting McPhee Reservoir), plus the West
Dolores from the confluence with the mainstem to its source in
the Lizard Head Wilderness, was found eligible and suitable for
designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.