Laserfiche WebLink
<br />reservoirs for both east and west slope Use. As these projects and additional <br />projects are completed, the potential for interference with Forest Service <br />water uses and the potential for environmental degradation will increase. <br /> <br />Human and Community Development <br /> <br />The White River National Forest is committed to the nationwwide program empha- <br />sis of human and community development which has as its primary objective <br />helping people and communities help themselves. The programs include activi- <br />ties that provide work and learning experiences for unemployed youth, senior <br />citizens' employment opportunities, and college level credit work experience. <br /> <br />Minerals <br /> <br />The White River National Forest has had an extensive history within mining <br />boom towns in areas such as Aspen, Marble, Breckenridge, Montezuma, and Gil- <br />man. Presently, the Forest has between 10 and 20 approved operating plans for <br />locatable minerals. There are also 180 oil and gas leases, two coal mines, <br />and an average of 10 sales made annually for sand, gravel, stone, and other <br />common minerals. <br /> <br />In the future it is expected demand for all minerals will increase substan- <br />tially, depending upon market conditions. The biggest effect on the Forest <br />from mineral development will be indirect. Both oil shale and molybdenum have <br />the actual mining facilities off the Forest, but their development will have <br />substantial impacts on the Forest from people moving into the area to work in <br />mining and recreating on the Forest. Spoil piles located on the Forest could <br />have visual and water quality as well as other environmental effects. <br /> <br />Lands <br /> <br />The Forest presently has 690 land use permits including 11 ope rat ing ski <br />areas. It also has trans-basin water diversions, hydroelectric power plant <br />proposals and impoundments, and electric transmission lines. The Forest man- <br />ages an average of 170 seasonal permits for such things as outfitter guides, <br />recreation events, and similar activities. Forest landownership adjustments <br />are coordinated with the plans and programs of other agencies and government <br />jurisdictions. Increased access for the general public is a major issue on <br />the Forest. Condemnation of rights-of-way may become necessary and more <br />common in the future. <br /> <br />So ils <br /> <br />The objective of soil management on the Forest is to match management activ- <br />ities to the capability and suitability of the soil to assure long-term pro- <br />duct ivity. This can be done where the soil has been inventoried and soil <br />characteristics are known. Presently, about 40 percent of the Forest has been <br />inventoried. <br /> <br />Facilities <br /> <br />The Forest presently has 2,129 miles of roads, 20 percent of which are class- <br />ified arterial and collector, and 80 percent of which are local. Almost all <br />the roads on the Forest were built as part of the timber management program <br /> <br />22 <br />