WSP09652 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

,. n~ ',01')9 " .' A. ", ~ " >.) ..' ... -'..- ... the MB-sI'I.' while topographical constraints would be expected to limit access from the project area into the wilderness, without stringent mitigation, increased entry into the West Willow basin would be expected. Potential increased visits ,would be greatest in Alternative E, followed by Alternatives G and F. Alternatives Band H do not propose any summer activities at Elk Camp or Burnt Mountain summits, thus increased access to wilderness would be negligible. The Sam's Knob summit station in Alternative B is near the wilderness boundary; however there are easier, more convenient routes into East Snowrnass Creek than hiking off of Sam's Knob. Substantial increases in wilderness use in this area would not be expected. Additional wilderness access via the East Snowrnass and Snowmass Creek trailheads would also be expected in all alternatives. Increased summer recreational opportunities within the permit area in all action alternatives would be expected to absorb some of the excess recreational demand currently being experienced in the MB-SW. At the same time, increased summer visitation at Snowrnass may lead to additional visitation to those wilderness components near TOSV. E. CULTURAL RESOURCES 1. Affected Environment Cultural resource surveys conducted to date within the permit area have not encountered any evidence of prehistoric sites or artifacts, although prehistoric occupation of the Southern Rockies occurred as early as 11,500 years ago. Any prehistoric aboriginal use of the area was probably minimal due to the terrain and the dense vegetation. These surveys, however, have recorded a total of ten historic sites and four isolated artifacts. These sites consist of historic cabins or building vestiges, a domestic trash scatter, hay cribs, and a ditch dating to the late 1880's/early 1900's. The four isolated finds consist of three hunting blinds/traps and a wooden box. 2. Environmental Consequences None of the known cultural resources identified in prior surveys within the project area are considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHPlby the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Additionally, two sites identified in surveys for this EIS are recommended as not eligible to the NRHP. As a consequence, any impact to known cultural resources would not be considered significant. After the ROD is issued, final surveys will be conducted by a certified archeologist and tribal representative to ensure no historic properties are within areas of potential impact of approved MOP components, or that adequate avoidance of any potentially eligible site. F. ALPINE SKIING 1. Affected Environment The Snowmass Ski Area is highly regarded as a destination ski area which offers a low-density ski experience for a wide range of recreational users. As a result, it serves a broad and diverse market in North America and has had success at attracting the international visitor. It also consistently ranks among the top ski areas in the country in terms of both skier visits and visitor ratings. The local skier market includes 'the four Aspen area ski areas and the Sunlight Ski Area in Glenwood Springs. Snowmass is the largest of these ski areas, representing 39 percent of the combined SAOT capacity and 51 percent of the 1992/93 skier visits. Local market skier visits in 1992/93 exceeded 1. 6 million, which was approximately 14.5 percent of total skier visits in Colorado. Total Summary . 23