Management and Setting Prescriptions for Area with Wilderness Characteristics

Home Browse Search

Working Draft 5/3/2010 • Non-energy Solid Mineral Leasing-All federal mineral estate within these lands would be closed to non-energy solid mineral leasing. • Mineral Material(salable)Disposal-These lands are closed to mineral material (salable such as moss rock, top soil, sand and gravel, scoria,fill dirt) disposal. Grazing. • Within areas managed to maintain wilderness characteristics, existing livestock grazing, and the activities and facilities that support a grazing program are permitted to continue. • Adjustments in the numbers and kind of livestock permitted to graze would be made as a result of revisions in the RMP revision. • The construction of new grazing facilities would be permitted if they are primarily for the purpose of protecting wilderness characteristics and more effective management of resources, rather than to accommodate increased numbers of livestock. • The use of motorized equipment for emergency purposes is allowed for livestock management. Fire Management. Within areas managed to maintain wilderness characteristics, fire management will be consistent with GSFO FMP. ForestNegetation Health. • These lands are closed to commercial timber harvest,firewood cutting and special forest product harvest. • Vegetative manipulation to control insect and disease outbreaks or control invasive species is allowed when there is no effective alternative and when the control is necessary to maintain wilderness characteristics and maintain supplemental values. Control/manipulation methods may include hand (e.g. tools or chain saws), chemical, and biological treatment provided it will not cause adverse impacts to the wilderness characteristics. Recreation. Primitive and unconfined recreational activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, caving, fishing, hunting, trapping etc. are emphasized on these lands. • Permanent recreation structures are not permitted. • No new special recreation permits will be authorized unless they are necessary for helping people realize the primitive and unconfined recreational values(e.g. upland outfitting service). • When commercial special recreation permits(SRP)are renewed, the terms and conditions of the SRP will be modified as necessary to comply with the Management and Setting Prescriptions for Areas with Wilderness Characteristics. • No competitive events would be authorized. • Recreational or hobby collecting of mineral specimens when conducted without location of a mining claim may be allowed. This use will be limited to hand collection and detection equipment. Cultural and Paleontological Resources. Cultural and paleontological resources are also important supplemental values to an area's wilderness characteristics. • Resource inventories, studies, and research involving surface examination may be permitted. • Rehabilitation, stabilization, reconstruction, and restoration work on historic structures; excavations; and extensive surface collection may also be permitted if they maintain the area's wilderness character. • Permanent physical protection, such as fences, will be limited to those measures needed to protect resources eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and will be constructed so as to minimize impacts on apparent naturalness. Wildlife Management. Fish and wildlife resources are a special feature that contributes to an area's wilderness character. Whenever possible, these resources should be managed to maintain that character. Nothing will be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State agencies with respect to fish and wildlife management on these lands. • Fishing, hunting and trapping are allowable activities on these lands. The State of Colorado establishes regulations and enforcement for these uses.