East Fork and West Fork Issue Paper

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expense. This would involve public input and input from all resource areas (wildlife, cultural, vegetation, hydrology, etc.). The line officer(most likely the District Ranger) would then decide whether to approve the project, approve the project with modifications and mitigation measures, or deny the project. If the project is approved, then implementation of the project could proceed once the appeal period is over. If the FS decided to mine gravel in an area that is not already an established gravel pit, the same environmental analysis, decision making, and implementation process as described above would be conducted. In either case, any permits required by the state or Army Corps of Engineers would also have to be obtained if necessary. Zoning: The study area includes private land in both Mineral and Archuleta Counties. Both Counties are zoned. Archuleta County Zoning: Archuleta County zones both public and private land. All public land within the study area is zoned Agriculture Forestry (AF) and all private land in the study area is zoned Agriculture Ranching (AR). The intent of the AF district is to provide for permitted regulation of land uses on federal, state, BIA and other public lands. Land use in the AF district is encouraged to conserve forest resources, protect the natural environment, and preserve uninhabited areas. Mineral County zones only the private land. Most of the private land in the west fork study area is zoned "Rural" while most of the land in the east fork study area is zoned "Residential Recreation." The opinion of the County Planner, Les Cahill, is that the east fork area is not suitable for much development without significant improvements to the existing road. All four zones in both Counties are relatively similar. They all allow division of the parcels into 35 acre lots per State Statute. All the private land could therefore be divided into 35 acre tracts with one home per tract. In addition, agricultural and forestry type land uses would be allowed. Gravel pits and/or mineral extraction activities are allowed with approval of a Conditional Use Permit. Conditional Use Permits generally consider that a use is appropriate in a district after a public hearing and with mitigation of impacts. Archuleta County also allows a number of other land uses in the AR zone by right or by condition use (see attached zoning matrix). Zoning District Feasibility: