Management Proposals for the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests, Public Hearing Notice

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KEY VALUES Early in the reviews, since 1964, certain key values were recognized. Mining is historical and continues today amid alpine mountains, awesome canyons and attractive forests. These spectacular areas provide oppor- tunities for unique recreation experiences wherein visitors may appreciate the rugged mountains and marvel at the fortitude and ingenuity of early miners and settlers. Various species of wildlife enhance recreation aimed at viewing and hunting. Opportunities for solitude and individual, unconfined recreation in a spectacular setting exist. Thus the natural and historic features affirm recreation including scenery, minerals and the preservation of an enduring resource of wilderness as the outstanding or key values in the Review Area around which management should focus. Other values, such as water, wildlife, and forests are also important. Although management emphasis will be directed to the wilderness, recreation, and minerals as key values, all other resources will be managed to a level commensurate with their relationship to the key values. Coordination of these values, particularly mining, recreation, and wilderness, with each other, is essential to insure that future management direction maintains or enhances their desired qualities. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS National Forest management is based upon coordination of the various resources and land uses to achieve a high level of products and services, including wilderness, to best meet the needs of.the American people. As previously mentioned, three key values require coordination in development of management alternatives. These are (1) recreation, in- cluding scenery and the historic heritage, (2) minerals, and (3) preser- vation of an enduring resource of wilderness. An analysis of current and potential land and resource uses identifies significant potential conflicts which must be averted or minimized. Overriding and foremost among potential conflicts is the required simultaneous management of the activities involved with mineral ex- ploration and extraction, preservation of wilderness, and providing recreational opportunities; the latter including maintenance and enhance- ment of scenic quality. The natural forces which formed the mineral deposits also created the superlative scenery for which the Review Area is famous. Existing laws pertaining to mineral prospecting and extraction require only.limited consideration of the other key values of recreation and wilder- ness. Valid mining activity authorized in the Wilderness Act of 1964 is Sa