Wild & scenic Green River

The small section of the Green River flowing below Flaming Gorge Dam has long been considered one of the most scenic and wild waters in the country.

People from all over the world come to hike, raft, fish and enjoy its striking scenery.

It's no wonder, then, that the U.S. Forest Service lists it among its 86 Utah candidates as a wild and scenic river — and why there is a push to make certain it makes the list.

Last week, a group of 17 people, invited by the Utah River Council, rafted and fished the 7-mile section from the dam to Little Hole.

In his official statement, Mark Danenhauer, river solutions coordinator for the council, said the trip was arranged, "because the Green River is one of the defining features of Utah's landscape and perfectly exemplifies everything that a wild and scenic river should be."

The council wanted to show people "firsthand and not just on paper," he said in an interview.

"We wanted to dispel some of the common misunderstandings, the most common that being classified wild and scenic will restrict use," he said. "This designation does not lock people out. People can continue to use the river as they do now, as long as it does not impact the value of the river. This is simply a way of making sure it stays the way it is."

The section under consideration reaches from the dam, past Little Hole, to the border of the Ashley National Forest, which involves roughly 13 miles of river.

In all, there are 86 sections identified on various Utah rivers running through USFS land that are under consideration for wild and scenic admission. Some sections are as short as the 1-mile section of the North Fork of the Provo River, and as long as the 47.1 miles on Lower Dark Canyon.

The BLM is also involved in identifying sections within its jurisdiction, including the upper section of the Green, between USFS land and the Colorado border, and the lower section, from the public land boundary to Carbon County. In all, there are 37 sections or rivers being considered. Plans are to have the list finalized next year.

The 86 sections proposed by the USFS, said Cathy Kahlow, project team leader and district ranger, were selected by staff within the six national forests in Utah. The criteria: The river must be free flowing and have outstanding values.

Having these two qualities satisfied the eligibility requirement. Next comes the question of suitability, which takes in both social and political issues.