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<br />0027\)1 <br /> <br />16 <br /> <br />Gulch, and Weminuche Contiguous areas were identified as wilder- <br />ness study areas subject to interim management pending a Con- <br />gI"essional decision as to their possible inclusion in the National <br />Wilderness Preservation System. In December, 1981, then-Sec- <br />retary of the Interior James G. Watt directed that these areas no <br />longer be subject to such interim management, but by enactment <br />of section 12 of the Public Lands and National Park Act of 1983 <br />(P.L. 9&-141), Congress added some of these lands to the National <br />Forest System, directing they be managed as part of the West Nee- <br />dles Wilderness Study Area, and directed that the remainder con- <br />tinue to be managed pursuant to section 603 of FLPMA. The re- <br />ported bill adds to the existing wilderness the same lands as in the <br />House-passed Colorado wilderness bill of 1992. <br /> <br />Wheeler Area (addition to La Garita Wilderness) <br /> <br />This area is truly special and offers visitors some spectacular <br />views of a rather unique part of Colorado. High in the La Garita <br />Mountains east of Creede, the pancake rocks and pinnacles of the <br />area have long been recognized as an unusual resource, and were <br />given the administrative designation of "geologic area" prior to <br />being included within the lands for which a special study status <br />was established by P.L. 96-560 in 1980. The bill includes the area <br />previously designated as the Wheeler Geologic Area (part of the <br />area required to be studied by section 105(b) of P.L. 96-560) within <br />wilderness, while omitting from wilderness the road leading to the <br />geologic area itself, in recognition that the viewpoint at the end of <br />the road is a pOfular recreation site. The designation of wilderness <br />in this area wil not preclude Forest Service installation of toilets. <br />picnic facilities, and similar small structures outside the wilderness <br />boundaries. <br /> <br />MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS <br /> <br />Subsection 2(b) provides for preparation and appropriate filing of <br />maps and legal descriptions of the areas the bill would designate <br />as wilderness. <br /> <br />ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS <br /> <br />Section 3 includes a number of administrative provisions provid- <br />ing for appropriate management of the areas designated as wilder- <br />ness (including t.he management of livestock grazing), making clear <br />that the bill will not affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the <br />State of Colorado relating to wilderness, and changing the name of <br />the Big Blue Wilderness. <br />Under subsection 3(0, the Big Blue Wilderness, as designated by <br />P.L. 96-560 and as it would be expanded by additions made by this <br />bill, would be renamed as the "Uncompahgre Wilderness," as origi- <br />nally provided in the Senate version of that 1980 legislation and <br />in recognition that much of these lands were part of the <br />Uncompahgre Primitive Area prior to enactment of P.L. 96-560. <br /> <br />WILDERNESS STUDY RELEASE <br /> <br />Section 4 would repeal the provisions of P.L. 96-560 dealing with <br />areas dealt with in this bill. <br />