Second Draft Hermosa Creek Workgroup Final Report November 2 2009

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■ Motorized: Motorized use in the SMA should be limited to designated routes /trails defined by the SMA management plan (note: motorized equipment is not allowed in Wilderness). ■ Ski Area: The ski area is managed under current USFS rules, permits and guidelines. There are no recommended changes. The HCDC is reviewing the footprint of the ski area in relation to the SMA. ■ Wildfire: The goal is to establish a natural fire regime. The USFS should be able to do what they think needs to be done around pre- mitigation and fighting fire. A minimum tool analysis should still be required for Wilderness but mechanized tools should not be prohibited for the Wilderness Area all together. The intention is to reduce confusion for the USFS /BLM Fire Service Personal and Public Land Managers and to take care of the resource. (Drafting Committee is reviewing some language.) ■ Logging: The legislation will be silent on logging. (currently being vetted by the Drafting Committee members' groups). ■ Recreation: Recreation is allowed as per USFS policies and the management plan adopted. (Note: This has not been discussed at length yet.) ■ Water: A specific decision was made that water language will not be recommended for inclusion in the SMA legislation because such matters will be discussed under the `circle back" process described below. ■ SMA issues still being worked on: ■ SWSI site in relation to Roadless Area ■ Mineral -ed areas (north and south) (Key issue: the issue of whether or not to allow additional locations for "infill" mineral development in the two areas with existing valid mining rights) Note: At the current time, the legislation would set up a Special Management Area (SMA). However, if, as the legislation proceeds, another designation is more fitting - such as a National Conservation Area — the designation sought might be changed. Hermosa Creek Workgroup Final Report: Second Draft 11/2/09 first oraft.: 10�9 18