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-~: ::: '- -;.-1 ~ ~~ ~~ !l ~ , ;--~ i', i; ~ I*, ~; >,' . I" ,1 " . .; ~ ~ .- .', ~ ~ ~ ~ 1 I wilderness designation and has the same effect as the suitable alternative. Selection of the unsuitable alternative will impose no new constraints on the use of these facilities. Old maps show that 30 private water rights exist on the Rio Grande portion of the WSA. Upkeep on these valid water rights could potentially be a nonconforming use in a recommended area. There are no proposed water storage or diversion projects in the WSA. 9. Wildlife and Fish The effects of the sui table, modified suitable, or unsuitable alternatives on wildlife include both beneficial and adverse effects. If the amount of human use increases dramatically under any alternative, impacts on wildlife solitude will occur. This will affect historical use patterns by deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Fish populations couid also be affected by increased user pressure. However, limits or controls can be made on the number and activities of users under any alternative. The State Division of Wildlife in the Comprehensive Management Plans identified needs for population increases for deer, elk, and bighorn sheep and identified habitat improvement opportunities to provide for this. Designation as wilderness will preclude some of man's activities such as timber harvest. Vegetation management for habitat maintenance or improvement would not be allowed if the area were designated as wilderness. Selection of the suitable with modified boundary alternative would allow vegetation management by timber. harvest or prescribed burning on up to 8,400 acres of deer and elk winter range in the WSAs. Under the unsuitable alternative, wildlife habitat management by prescribed burning or timber harvest would be possible on 21,100 acres. 84 c'C, 26 9:]