(Note from JS: The Wilderness Act says "...untrammeled by man ... 5000 contiguous acres..." and a few other words that lead you to assume that only large tracts really deserving of "protection" are designated as wilderness. There are many wilderness areas less than 3000 acres (the smallest one is 192 acres) and many that contain significant works of man. So much for definitions codified in law. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act seeks to preserve "free-flowing rivers." So, how is it that dry desert washes suddenly become "wild and scenic river" candidates? Again, a definition is codified into law. Can't happen, you say? Surprise Canyon leading up to Panamint Valley is now a candidate for "wild and scenic rivers" designation. Other areas are being pushed as "wild and scenic rivers." Is your neighborhood next on the list? Yes, "neighborhood" as opposed to "favorite recreation area.")

March 11, 2003

Emery County Progress

190 E Main

Castle Dale, UT 84513

435-381-2431

Fax: 435-381-5431

To submit a Letter to the Editor: editor@ecprogress.com

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 is designed to preserve free-flowing rivers with special values in their natural condition for the use and enjoyment of the public, balancing the nation's water resource development policies with river conservation and recreation goals.

Therefore, this Act states, "In all planning for the use and development of water and related land resources, consideration shall be given by all federal agencies involved to potential national wild, scenic and recreational river areas" [Section 5(d)(1)]. As part of the current Price Resource Management Plan (RMP) revision, the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Price Field Office is conducting an inventory of rivers and streams within the management area to determine if they are eligible for designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

In order to be eligible for inclusion into the national system of rivers the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act specifies that a certain criteria be met. A river must be "free-flowing" and must exhibit one or more "outstandingly remarkable" scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar value. These values must be at least regionally significant. A river's flow is sufficient as long as it sustains or complements the outstandingly remarkable value for which the river would be eligible.

In the consideration or review process, eligible rivers are given a tentative classification. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides three possible classifications: wild, scenic, or recreational. These classifications are based on the type and degree of human development associated with the river and adjacent lands present at the time of inventory. They also prescribe what management activities would be allowed to occur along a river, as long as no outstandingly remarkable value is compromised. The wild classification is most restrictive of management activities, while the recreation classification is least restrictive, allowing for some development to occur. Final classification is determined if and when a river is designated into the national system by Congress.

The Price Field Office has made a preliminary review of eligible rivers and streams based on information provided during public scoping, independent inventories, coordination with other government entities, and an interdisciplinary review. Before making a final determination of eligible rivers, the Price Field Office is requesting any information you might have that could change the preliminary determination of the free-flowing condition or outstanding remarkable values that are identified on the attached table. A map showing the locations of these rivers and streams is also available on the website for review. The BLM asks everyone to review this information.

Rivers or river segments determined to be eligible during this initial step of the study process will be analyzed in the RMP EIS to determine if they are suitable to be recommended for Wild and Scenic Rivers designation. If found to be suitable, those rivers and streams are then recommended to Congress for designation as a Wild and Scenic River. As stated above, BLM is conducting this review as a part of the resource management planning process. If you have any questions or would like additional information on this inventory, please contact Brad Higdon or Floyd Johnson at 435-636-3600. Please send your comments by March 28 to: Bureau of Land Management Price Field Office Attn: Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, 125 South 600 West Price, UT 84501

For more information on the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System go to www.nps.gov/rivers  Please visit www.pricermp.com  for information on the Price Resource Management Plan. The Price Field Office has coordinated with the Manti-LaSal National Forest and agrees with their preliminary determination that Huntington Creek and Straight Canyon Creek are eligible for Wild and Scenic River designation. Both rivers enter lands administered by the BLM and flow a short distance before the eligible segments end. The Price Field Office has also coordinated with the Vernal Field Office of the BLM to make the preliminary determination that Argyle Canyon is eligible from headwaters to Nine Mile Creek.

http://www.ecprogress.com/index.php?id=1&go=news&pub=2003-03-11