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CHAPTER II Other Minerals Objectives . Maximize the availability of the federal mineral estate for mineral exploration and development. . Facilitate orderly, economic, and environmentally sound exploration and development of mineral resources within the principles of balanced multiple-use management. Planned Actions I. All public land is open to mineral entry and development under the General Mining Law of 1872 unless administratively withdrawn or proposed for withdrawal (proposed wilderness designation). Locatable mineral exploration and development on public land would be regulated under 43 CFR 3800. 2. Applications for removing common variety mineral materials, including sand and gravel, will continue to be processed as they are received. Interdisciplinary review of each proposal will determine stipulations to protect important surface values. Mineral material sales will not be allowed in Cross Mountain Canyon ACEC, Limestone Ridge ACEC/RNA, Little Yampa/Juniper Canyon SRMA, and the Cedar Mountain recreation management unit. 3. BLM will consider leasing geothermal energy resources or olher leasable minerals as .-ach application is received. Minerals that are leasable only on lands acquired under the Bankhead Jones Act will be treated as other leasable minerals. In Cross Mountain Canyon ACEC, Limestone Ridge ACEC/RNA, Little Vampa/ Juniper Canyon SRMA, and the Cedar Mountain recreation management unit, leasing of other minerals for underground mining will be allowed with no- surface-occupancy stipulations. Leasing for surface mining will not be allowed in these four areas. 4. New leases and mineral material sales within fragile soil and water areas such as the Vermillion Management Unit will be subject to the performance objectives described under Soil and Water Resources. 5. The recommended Diamond Breaks and Cross Mountain wilderness areas (including Cross Mountain Canyon ACEC) would be withdrawn from locatable mineral entry, leasing and development of other minerals, and mineral material sales if designated as wilderness by Congress. Resource Condition and Rationale This action maximizes the lands available for mineral development and ensures orderly, environmentally-sound exploration and development of the other mineral resources. Implementation Priorities Proposals for other mineral resources will be reviewed on an individual basis. Monitoring Operations under the General Mining Law of 1872 (as amended) will be inspected periodically to ensure compliance with specific notices, plans of operations, laws, and regulations. Mineral materials and other leasable minerals actions will be monitored, according to the terms and conditions of the specific permit or lease. Support Other resource specialists will assess impacts of proposed projects and will identify mitigative measures. Cadastral survey will locate public land boundaries. Livestock Grazing Management Objectives The Bureau's objective is to improve range conditions in terms of species diversity and abundance, as well as increasing carrying capacities for both livestock and wildlife. Estimates of stocking rates contained in this plan do not necessarily reflect the need nor the intent to commensurately reduce livestock stocking levels. Monitoring studies will be conducted to more accurately determine carrying capacities and the condition and trend of plant communities in relation to the above stated objective. Decisions to increase or decrease livestock and/or wildlife numbers can only be made after this information has been determined and management techniques are developed so that livestock and wildlife utilization can be managed. If adjustments are determined to be necessary, every effort will be made to accomplish them througb consultation with individual ranchers, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and other interests, as appropriate. Consultation and coordination will also be sought during monitoring and other phases of the studies. 10