WSP08719 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4. Provide and maintain an adequate winter range for the big game population that winters in the Unit. 5. Retain for future study, those lands most likely to have the greatest Wilderness values relative to other ~otential values. 6. Provide both vehicular and non-vehicular dispersed recreation opportunities where suitable environmental conditions permit. 7. Maintain existing high water and air quality. B. Allocate suitable areas for research purposes emphasizing maintenance of alpine ecosystems. 9. Maintain existing scenic qualities. 8. Areas of County and Community Concern Gunnison Cour.ty and the co~unities associated with the East River Unit are interested in proposed management activities for the Unit. The mountain communities of Crested Butte, Mount Crested Butte and Al~ont are interested in maintaining their individual community identity and lifestyles. The communities. while preferring to maintain their in1ividual identity, would like to supplement their existing economy by developing more year round employment opportunities. The county and com~unities within the influence zone of the East Rlver Unit have either identified or are in the process of identifying goals and objectiv~s. The ~roposed man- agement direction of the East River Unit is deisQr.ed to complement those community ~oals an3 objectives wit~in the context of Regional and National goals identified for the National Forest System. The county and communities desire to coordinate demands on and provide for public util- ities. services and facilities. A primary interest is to ,naintain a balance between demand for and the ability to provide facilities and services for public health, protection and welfare. A proposed management plan for the East River Unit that would induce rapid increase 1n demand for community services and faciiities would be viewed as an adverse i~pact on local jurisdictions. Land ownership patterns and development of private lands within the Unit have generated a desire to preserve open space and maintain scenic quality. Activities within the East River Unit that could prompt major developments of private lands and reduce the open space and scenic quality would be considered detrimental to those desires. C. Interrelationship to Other Plans and Jurisdictfons The revised Land Mana!;ement Plan will provide coordinating requirements and management direction based on s!:1all, well defined land areas called Ecologic Land Units (ELIJ's). This is in contrast to the previous multiple use plan which listed coordinating requirements and management direction based on broad land areas termed "zone:;". The proposed East River Management Plan will supersede the Taylor River District Multiple Use Plan. The Management Plan will provide the management framework for individual resource plans. Resource plans will be updated or revised if they do not comply with the direction in the proposed plan. The proposed plan is coordinated with National direction and the current Regional Multiple Use Guides and becomes a part of the Forest Land Management Plan. Coordination of the proposed plan with Gunnison Ccunty developed mutually compatible areas of agreement. Legislation to adequately regulate off-site impacts that could be generated by this proposal cutside Forest Service jurisdiction is available at State and iocal levels. The Board of COMmissioners of Gunnison County has an administrator to coordinate the activ- ities identified in :it~e 24, Art. 65.1, CRS 1973 (1975 Cum. Sup.) (HB 1041), \'t'hlch was enacted into law by the Colorado Forty Ninth Assembly on May 17, 1974. The law describes certain areas and act;viti~s of State interest and encourages local government t~ identify, designate, and administer such areas with assistance from specific State agencies. As it applies to National Forest lands, the Forest Service vie.....s the legislation as granted in the State's long-standing authority to protect the health, safety. and Nelfare of its citi~ens. The ~SDA Forest Service, in the development of this land manag~ment plan. had inventoried. gathered. and summarized resource information that ~ay relate to the ~atters of County or State interest. The county is encouraged to administer such areas cn private and State 1ands while ~~e United States administers the areas on Federal lands, each worki~g toward ~utual understanding, consultation, and cooperation. This approach will recognize the common interest of each without abdication of the respon- si bil ities of either. 5