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<br />
<br />000300
<br />
<br />and sizes (structural stages) improves wildlife, visual, and vegetation diver-
<br />sity, improves the vegetative vigor and growth, reduces the risk of insect and
<br />disease epidemics, and reduces the potential for wildfire. To achieve this, a
<br />variety of vegetation treatment techniques can be applied.
<br />
<br />Of the 2,262,646 acres of vegetation on the White River National Forest, which
<br />is the total White River National Forest less 10,250 acres of water, about
<br />one-third will be maintained in a natural state, in perpetuity, through
<br />wilderness designation. Natural succession will be the dominant process of
<br />change in these vegetation types. About two-thirds of the Forest's vegetation
<br />is available for modification through resource management programs.
<br />
<br />Recreation
<br />
<br />Recreation is a major use of the Forest, with eleven ski areas, 142 developed
<br />sites, and existing developed site opportunities, including ski areas, of
<br />approximately 4,000 MRVD's annually.
<br />
<br />Dispersed recreation, with 1,920 MRVD's of use on the Forest outside of wild-
<br />erness, is growing rapidly. Major uses include motorized use, hunting,
<br />camping, cross-country skiing, fishing, and scenery viewing. About 90 percent
<br />of this use occurs on or near roads. The Forest also has 1,466 miles of
<br />trails which are primarily used for recreation purposes. Dispersed recreation
<br />use on the Forest is expected to increase to 4,165 MRVD's over the planning
<br />period. The projected capacity of the Forest is expected to be adequate to
<br />meet this demand.
<br />
<br />There are 142 developed sites on the Forest including campgrounds, picnic
<br />grounds, boat ramps, and observation sites. In a typical year, 950 MRVD's of
<br />developed recreation use are reported on the Forest. It is estimated demand
<br />for use of sites will increase to 2,405 MRVD's over the planning period.
<br />
<br />The eleven downhill ski sites now developed on the Forest have current oppor-
<br />tunities for 2,871 MRVD's. In 1980, the use on the Forest was 2,400 MRVD's, or
<br />about 4.8 million tickets sold. Potential approved development of Adam's Rib,
<br />Little Annie, and the Rifle Ski Areas could provide an additional 1,155
<br />MRVD's. Expansion of the existing areas on the Forest could provide 1,648
<br />MRVD's.
<br />
<br />The average annual compounded growth rate for downhill skiing on the Forest,
<br />between 1960 and 1980, was 17 percent. In the next fifty years the rate is
<br />expected to be substantially less. Until the year 2000, the average annual
<br />compounded rate of growth on the Forest is expected to be between three per-
<br />cent and five percent. From the year 2000 to 2030, the average annual rate
<br />is expected to decline to one percent. Total demand, in the year 2030, is
<br />expected to be between 5,500 MRVD's and 7,700 MRVD's.
<br />
<br />The Forest is characterized by outstanding scenery and there is interest in
<br />managing the visual resource. Currently, about 88 percent of the Forest
<br />appears to be in either a natural state or modified in only a minor way.
<br />Because it is expected the demand for use of the Forest will increase sub-
<br />stantially in the future, it must be expected there will be major changes
<br />in the visual landscape taking place. The management of the visual impacts
<br />resulting from these changes will be necessary.
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