[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7015-7016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4093]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CO-056-1220-04]


Notice of Interim Management for Protection of Wild and Scenic 
River Values

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: The Bureau of Land Management, Canon City District, San Luis 
Resource Area has determined that 41 miles of the Rio Grande River in 
Colorado was eligible for consideration as a potential addition to the 
National Wild and Scenic River System. This determination was made as a 
part of the San Luis Resource Management Plan process in accordance 
with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 CFR 
1600, the Guidance for the Identification and Evaluation of Potential 
Additions to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the USDI-USDA 
Final Revised Guidelines for Eligibility, Classification and Management 
of River Areas, and BLM Manual Section 1623.41A2d.

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SUMMARY: In December, 1991 the Resource Management Plan (RMP) was 
finalized for the San Luis Resource Area of Colorado. Assessment of 
potential additions to the National Wild and Scenic River System was 
included in this planning effort. A total of 32 streams or segments of 
streams were analyzed and a 41 mile segment of the Rio Grande River in 
Colorado met the eligibility criteria. This segment of the river is 
``free-flowing'' and has ``outstandingly remarkable values,'' 
therefore, this stretch needs adequate interim protection until a final 
decision is reached.
    The 41-mile segment of the Rio Grande River, which is the last 41 
miles of this river within Colorado, has been tentatively classified as 
follows: the upper 33 miles meets the ``Scenic'' classification 
criteria, and the lower 8 miles meets the ``Wild'' classification 
criteria. These tentative classifications are based on conditions of 
the river corridor as they existed at the time of the study.
    Management activities and authorized uses will not be allowed to 
adversely affect the eligibility or classification of this river. 
Management prescriptions for this river corridor should provide for 
protection in three ways:
    1. The free-flowing characteristics of the river cannot be 
modified, to the extent that BLM is authorized under law to control 
stream impoundments and diversions.
    2. Outstandingly remarkable values will be protected, and to the 
extent practicable, enhanced.
    3. Management and development of the river corridor cannot be 
modified to the degree that eligibility or classification is changed.
    A study report was prepared and included in the appendix to the 
proposed resource management plan/final environmental impact study and 
documents the application of the Eligibility/Classification/Suitability 
Criteria.
    The study report was included as an integral part of the RMP 
process documentation. The determination within the RMP was a 
preliminary administrative recommendation for designation or non-
designation depending on the suitability analysis. The recommendation 
will receive further review and possible modification by the Director 
of the BLM, the Secretary of the Interior and the President of the 
United States. Final decisions have been reserved by the U.S. Congress.


[[Page 7016]]

DATES: Interim protective management on public lands along this 41-mile 
river corridor will exist for a period not exceeding 5 years from the 
date of this notice or until such time as a final decision has been 
made, whichever occurs first.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may obtain more information by writing to 
the District Manager, Canon City District, 3170 East Main St., Canon 
City, CO 81212 or the Area Manager, San Luis Resource Area, 1921 State 
Ave., Alamosa, CO 81101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Area Manager at (719) 589-4975.
Donnie R. Sparks,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-4093 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-M