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

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USDA FOREST SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE UNCOMPAHGRE AND WILSON MOUNTAINS PRIMITIVE AREAS AND CONTIGUOUS LANDS UNCOMPAHGRE AND SAN JUAN NATIONAL FORESTS, COLORADO Prepared in Accordance With Section 102(2)(C) of P.L. 91 -190 Summary Sheet I Draft (X) Final ( ) II Forest Service III Administrative ( ) Legislative (X) IV Description of Action The Forest Service, U.S.D.A., proposes that portions of the Uncompahgre and Wilson Mountains Primitive Areas and certain contiguous lands of the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests in Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties, Colorado be added to the National Wilderness Preservation System as five new Units, totaling 80,150 acres. It further proposes that some 84,869 acres of the present Primitive Areas be declassified. The management arrangement of the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests and areas considered for Wilderness will be the subject of a Public Hearing, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, January 11, 1974, at the Ouray High School gymnasium, Ouray, Colorado, and con- tinuing at 9 a.m. on January 12, 1974, at the Ramada Inn, 718 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, Colorado. The hearing record will remain open, to receive written statements, until February 15, 1974. Environmental Impact and Adverse Env Effe The pro- posed action would protect a Wilderness resource of 80,150 acres in five Units; assure the long -term protection of recreation and scenic amenities; and create the basis for coordinated land -use patterns that are the least disruptive to water, air and scenic qualities. Although recreation use, mining and development activities will result in additional need for coordination related to air quality, water quality, solid waste and sewage disposal, these elements will not be accelerated from those expected under the current situation. In fact, the result is likely to be a slowing of adverse effects and a better basis for dealing with them.