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<br />OOiJ978 <br /> <br />changing the character of the land in the area and is fostering uses and <br />facilities which are eroding wilderness values. These same activities <br />are also adversely altering recreational (scenic, historic) values and <br />opportunities because statutory rights provide for access, development of <br />facilities, and surface disturbance during mineral exploration and <br />extraction. <br /> <br />Management alternatives presented in this report assume that mineral <br />activity under the General Mining Laws and Mineral Leasing Acts is subject <br />to the provisions and requirements of the National Environmental Policy <br />Act (P.L. 91-190). However, the applicability of the concept that this <br />important legislation does apply has not been firmly established, nor has <br />it become accepted procedure. Thus, there is no assurance that the owners <br />of valid mineral rights will give consideration to carrying out these <br />activities in a manner which will provide the needed key value coordination. <br /> <br />Also, there is no assurance that the owners of the intermingled private <br />lands (some 73,600 acres), will give consideration to use and development of <br />their lands in a manner compatible with wilderness, recreation, and mineral <br />values of the area. <br /> <br />Subdivision and resort development are occurring and if not done in <br />concert with key values and in a quality manner, such developments could <br />impair scenic quality, diminish wilderness values, limit recreation oppor- <br />tunities, and adversely affect public access and mineral extraction. <br /> <br />Coordinated land-use planning of public and private lands seems <br />essential to the achievement of the key values in the Review Area. <br />Present zoning regulations of Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray, San <br />Juan, and San Miguel Counties are,not based on coordinated land-use <br />planning and consist of delineated broad zoning districts which place <br />emphasis on urbanizing sections. <br /> <br />Not all counties have considered the relationship to surrounding <br />public lands, and some counties have developed their zoning individually <br />while others have worked with adjoining counties. Some counties have no <br />zoning, but have prepared "draft" or "model" regulations. <br /> <br />The District 10 Regional Planning Commission serves four of the six <br />counties involved in the Review Area. It seeks to provide a medium through <br />which consistent objectives among counties in the Area could be obtained. <br /> <br />The recognition of key values and management objectives for the <br />National Forest lands within the Review Area may not be the same as <br />those of the Counties. Already there are increasing numbers of requests <br />for use of National Forest lands to accommodate access roads and utilities <br />serving private land developments. Several potential ski areas have been <br />identified by developers, only two of which have been evaluated by the <br />Forest Service. <br /> <br />-7- <br />