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<br />002353 <br /> <br />cut, less than one percent of the annual cut in the entire state.7 <br />Demand for timber on the forest is expected to rise to 50 mmbf <br />annually by 2030, with supply increasing through intensive manage- <br />ment to an average of 150 mmbf, The 2.6 mmbf within the Buffalo <br />Peaks WSA would contribute an insignificant amount to a supply <br />which will continue to be three times the demand for at least the <br />next 50 years.8 <br /> <br />The Forest Service states that over half of the WSA's timber could <br />be harvested to increase water yield, to provide fuelwood, and to <br />improve wildlife habitat,q Conservationists believe that cutting <br />trees will result in increased soil erosion in return for a specu- <br />lative gain in water yield. Similarly, the benefits of fuelwood <br />provided are miniscule when compared to the damage to wildlife <br />habitat, soil and vegetation from timber harvesting. Vegetative <br />manipulation (~, controlled burns) to maintain habitat for the <br />bighorn sheep herd are permitted under wilderness designation.10 <br /> <br />While the Forest Service states that the Buffalo Peaks area has <br />moderate potential for minerals, with some pockets of high poten- <br />tial, actual interest in the area has been limited. Only sporadic <br />exploration activities in the north end of the area and in the <br />extreme south have occurred. This indicates that the potential <br />for significant amounts of locatable minerals is very low. <br /> <br />There are some old vehicle tracks in the WSA; however, the way has <br />been closed to motorized travel since 1971 and there is little, if <br />any, conflict, While some grazing occurs, there is virtually no <br />conflict with wilderness designation, <br /> <br />Boundary Issues <br /> <br />Two patented mining claims exist in the extreme <br />of Buffalo Peaks, This could be eliminated by a <br />adjustment of 20 acres, as shown on the following <br /> <br />southeastern end <br />simple boundary <br />map. <br /> <br />The conservationists' proposal <br />Jumble Creek trail, assuring <br />ation area, <br /> <br />includes the entire Rich Creek/ <br />protection for this popular recre- <br /> <br />- -- ---- ----- J.pike/-san--t.sabel National Fores.t Plan,_Oc.tober_19_84, <br />8Ibid, <br />9rbid. <br />10California Wilderness Bill, Committee Report, 1983. <br /> <br />7 <br />