Attention Boaters, Anglers, and Water Rats: Wild & Scenic River Comments Needed

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest is currently undergoing a forest plan revision process. As part of this process, the Forest Service is required to determine streams that are eligible for inclusion in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. Any section of river that is free-flowing and possesses one or more “outstandingly remarkable values” (ORVs) can be found eligible for Wild and Scenic protection. During the forest planning process, the public has the opportunity to weigh in on the unique qualities of our local creeks and rivers and to comment on whether certain segments are eligible for inclusion in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) is calling on you today to submit comments to the Forest Service in support of Wild & Scenic River eligibility for some of the Gunnison basin’s best streams and tributaries. 

Appendix 11 of the revised draft forest plan identifies 14 segments and their tributaries – totaling approximately 120 miles – across the entire 3.16-million acre GMUG National Forest as eligible for Wild & Scenic River designation. HCCA supports eligibility findings for all the stream segments included in the draft revised forest plan, including the following in our geographic area: 

·       Oh-be-joyful Creek and Tributaries

·       West Elk Creek 

·       Upper West Soap Creek 

·       Copper Creek, Copper Lake, and Tributaries

·       Anthracite Creek

At the same time, there are several streams in the Gunnison Country that were previously found eligible but have been left out of the revised draft forest plan. We need your help to get these added back in!

·       Taylor River

·       Slate River 

·       Daisy Creek (i.e. Poverty Gulch)

·       East River

For more information on why these creeks deserve eligibility, click here to see our initial comments.

Comments to the Forest Service must be received by November 12, but we’re calling on you to jump-start your engagement by commenting today. Comments can be straightforward: let the GMUG know that you support eligibility findings for all of the segments identified above. If you have personal familiarity with any of them – perhaps you kayak or fish them – include that in your comment. If you have insight into why you think any of these segments is unique, consider including those reasons. 

More information can be found in Appendix 11 of the revised draft forest plan.