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

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natural conditions, and generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable. It should have opportunities for solitude, or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; have at least five thousand acres of land, or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired con- dition; and may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value. The brochure "Management Proposals For The Uncompahgre and Wilson Mountains Primitive Areas And Contiguous Lands Of The Uncompahgre And San Juan National Forests, Colorado" describes the above - ground physical resources and properties of the area in question. It also discusses four management alternatives for the Review Area. Geological Survey Bulletin 1353 -A, "Studies Related to Wilderness, Primitive Areas, Wilson Mountains, Colorado," - Bulletin 1261 -C, "Studies Related to Wilderness, Primitive Areas, Uncompahgre, Colorado," and the "open filed" report entitled, "Mineral Resources of Study Areas Contiguous to Uncompahgre Primitive Area, San Juan Mountains, Colorado," describe the below - ground resources and char- acteristics in detail and are available to the public. II. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Wilderness designation of 80,150 acres, judged suitable and available, would perpetuate this resource in portions of the existing Primitive Areas and extend it to certain contiguous lands possessing wilderness characteristics. Their ecosystems will be allowed to operate freely; the area will be available for human use only to the extent consistent with maintenance of the wilderness character; and, an area preserved as Wilderness for the American people of present and future generations. The wilderness suitability would be lost on some 97,000 acres where recognizable, definable boundaries and mineral values apparently preclude their Wilderness classification. Eventual development of these mineral values will adversely effect the future wilderness suitability with or without Wilderness designation. In most of such areas, mineral rights are outstanding and there is no apparent feasible way to recover them to public ownership, should that be in the public's interest. The short and long -range economic effect of the proposed action is favorable. It allows mineral extraction under the present regula- tions that minimize the impact on the recreation and scenic values, both of which will be especially important to the local economy when mineral resources are exhausted. Other renewable resources will receive similar protection, from development activities, for their short and long -term values. -2-