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<br />covered under a more detailed Recreation Area Management Plan. Unit 6, which contains <br />22,078 acres of public land, represents the Gunnison Gorge WSA (CO-030-388). Unit 4, <br />which contains 40,792 acres of public land, represents the remaining area within the <br />GGRA. (Reference Figure 3.) <br /> <br />The BlM has also identified two options to place special designations on the management <br />of the GGRA (Units 4 and 6). These designations are Gunnison Gorge Special Recreation <br />Management Area (GGSRMA) (existing management) and Gunnison Gorge National <br />Conservation Area (GGNCA). These designations essentially represent a change in name <br />and management presence only. The GGSRMA designation is the same as existing <br />management, which is described in the Uncompahgre Basin Resource Management Plan <br />and Record of Decision. Neither of these special designations would effect the current <br />Wilderness or Scenic River recommendations. <br /> <br />The Analysis of Alternatives section below describes the management strategies that <br />would be implemented for the GGRA under the designation as the GGSRMA or GGNCA. <br />The management strategies are also subdivided depending on whether they apply to the <br />Wilderness Study Area (Unit 6) or those lands outside the WSA (Unit 4), but within the <br />GGRA. <br /> <br />Analysis of Alternative <br /> <br />Some of the resource management programs will be standard regardless of special <br />designations placed on the overall GGRA or units within. Unless changes in, or additions <br />to standard management directions are specifically addressed under Option A or B below, <br />the following standards will apply. <br /> <br />Air Quality. Activities and projects on public land will comply with applicable local, State, <br />and Federal air quality regulations. Mitigation to minimize air quality degradation will be <br />incorporated into project proposals as appropriate. <br /> <br />Coal. Federal coal estate will be identified as acceptable for further leasing consideration. <br /> <br />Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources. Federal oil, gas, and geothermal estate on both <br />Federal surface and split-estate lands will be open to leasing with standard lease terms. <br />Other conditions for leasing, such as no surface occupancy and seasonal stipulations <br />are assigned in each management unit prescription; special stipulations and conditions <br />also apply to Federal surface and split-estate lands. Any special stipulations (i.e., <br />seasonal closures) prescribed for a management unit will also apply to seismic and drilling <br />activities. <br /> <br />Resource information for split-estate lands, upon which the recommended stipulations are <br />based, has not been verified by the BlM. Verification will occur during review of <br />Applications for Permit to Drill (APDs). On-site inspection and consultation with the <br />surface owner and operator may reveal that (1) the impacts addressed by the stipulation <br />will be avoided or mitigated to an acceptable level, or (2) the resources of concern are not <br /> <br />26 <br />