Laserfiche WebLink
<br />001303 <br /> <br />be obtained on areas that in the Bureau's opinion obviously do not <br /> <br />qualify for wilderness, for reasons such as the area is developed, <br /> <br />has permanent improvements, contains human habitation, or the surface <br /> <br />is being controlled by man. Generally, areas where vegetation has <br /> <br />been manipulated and the change is not evident, such as a clearcut <br /> <br />where the forest canopy has closed or chaining where wind rows have <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />'deteriorated beyond recognition, can be considered for wilderness <br /> <br />study area status. Unimproved airstrips and heliports may be included <br /> <br />in wilderness study areas, as well as communication or repeater sites <br /> <br />that create minimal impacts. Water related facilities and treatment <br /> <br />areas, such as isolated spring developoent, hand-built erosion control <br /> <br />, <br />, , <br /> <br />devices, and wildlife watering structures (guzzlers), where mechanical <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />equipment is not evident, may be within wilderness study areas. However, <br /> <br />the following areas will generally be eliminated from wilderness con- <br /> <br />sideration: Where there are above-the-ground utility corridors <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />requiring cleared rights-of-way; recent clearcuts, chainings or plowing; <br /> <br />recreation developments; and/or current mining operations. The Bureau <br /> <br />will consider public comments that are based solely on criteria given <br /> <br />in section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act. Comments other than on section <br /> <br />2(c) will be considered during the study phase of the wilderness review <br /> <br />process. <br /> <br />Where judgement or public support does not give a clear indication as <br /> <br />to the potential for wilderness study area status, more detailed and <br /> <br />systematic analysis will be made. In this analysis the key factor will <br /> <br />not be the presence of man-made features (intrusions) per se, but the <br /> <br />extent of their effect on the landscape. <br /> <br />The following sections cover the proposed method which will be used to <br /> <br />identify wilderness study areas. <br /> <br />19 <br />