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<br />,..-.,-....."._-,--.' ",;,-^ <br /> <br />--<<::~.-" , <br /> <br />term use of this WSA for wilderness will maintain and <br />enhance the long term productivity of the environment for <br />wilderness purposes. Under a wilderness recommendation, <br />the 'long term productivity of forested areas for <br />commodity production will remain static or in many cases <br />decline. The short term use for nonwilderness purposes <br />will maintain and enhance the long term productivity for <br />water yield, wildlife habitat diversity, winter range, <br />and insect and disease control through the maintenance of <br />a healthy forest cover. However, even under a <br />nonwilderness recommendation some of the land within the <br />WSA will remain in its present condition and will be <br />managed for semiprimitive recreation purposes. <br /> <br />E. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources <br /> <br />A recommendation for designation of this WSA as <br />wilderness is not viewed as an irreversible commitment of <br />resources since Congress has the authority to designate <br />wilderness and also has the authority to declassify <br />wilderness, should this be needed. <br /> <br />The removal of mineral resources is viewed as an <br />irreversible and irretrievable commitment because these <br />are non-renewable resources. At the present time, the <br />wilderness study designation (Public Law 96-560) provides <br />that minerals exploration and development within this WSA <br />will be administered by the same laws generally <br />applicable to the National Forest system. Under a <br />suitable alternative, if adopted, the WSA would be <br />withdrawn from mineral entry after December 31, 1983, <br />subject to valid existing rights. This would not <br />prohibit utilization of the mineral resources but would <br />have an effect on available methods and the time allowed <br />for the filing of claims and making application for <br />leases. <br /> <br />Loss of potential revenues from mineral leasing under the <br />suitable or suitable with modified boundary alternative <br />is an irretrievable loss, though not irreversible. Loss <br />of timber production and revenues would similarly be an <br />irretrievable loss because of lost opportunity to <br />harvest. <br /> <br />Under the unsuitable alternative, the wilderness <br />character would be maintained until Congress determines <br />otherwise. <br /> <br />101 <br /> <br />C' (, 271 0 <br />