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<br />n\l~1~8 <br /> <br />Superintendent <br />Great Sand Dunes National Monument <br />Page 3. <br />July 15, 1970 <br /> <br />vehicle along this motorized nature trail would increase the enjoyment and use <br />of the Dunes without affecting the wilderness characteristics of the remainder <br />of the Monument. <br /> <br />(7) The inclusion of non-federal lands within the Wilderness Area might serve <br />no useful purpose. Present owners could refuse to sell or trade their holdings. <br />The Wilderness Act of 1964 specifically states "such state or private owner <br />shall be given such rights as may be necessary to assure adequate access.... 11 <br />Thus, if owners demanded, vehicle access would have to be allowed even through <br />the Wilderness Area to reach their lands. <br /> <br />(8) Few people who have not hiked across these Sand Dunes realize the actual <br />immensity of the 28,350 acre area proposed by the National Perk Service. The <br />6-mile hike required to traverse the proposed Wilderness Area at its narrowest <br />point through soft sand over waterless steep dune topography is a major challenge <br />to all but the most hardy. Even now, few visitors penetrate the area beyond the <br />crest of the second dune ridge. Expansion of the Wilderness Area is, therefore, <br />not needed to guarantee preservation of natural conditions within the area. <br /> <br />We believe that all factors of the Wilderness Area, and development of the <br />National Monument have been adequately considered by the National Park Service; <br />we, therefore, recommend adoption of their proposal. <br /> <br />NR/amr <br /> <br />COLORADO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY <br />fl) ,"7' /.')..-:'0/ <br />'.z /,,")/.J:/ --' ? <br />, '-'-t #- ~ ..- & . <br />'John W. Rold <br />Director and State Geologist <br />