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<br />11"'30n <br />u d"", 0....1 <br /> <br />on the problem since the limestone in the area creates conditions <br />ideal for neutralizing acids. Western State College has been <br />performing aquatic biology research in Fossil Ridge for years. <br /> <br />Resource Information <br /> <br />While the geologic events which created Fossil Ridge would appear <br />to indicate mineralization, evidence of high concentrations of ore <br />has not been found. This may be due to the particular chemistry <br />of the rocks involved, There may be some uranium present, but <br />interest in this mineral has diminished with the drop in market <br />prices, In any event, the difficulty of access to uranium and <br />other minerals in Fossil Ridge makes them poor competitors with <br />deposits elsewhere in the country. Limestone exists in abundance <br />and is of high quality, but it is not a strategic mineral, making <br />it an unlikely candidate for mining. <br /> <br />Fossil Ridge contains a potential timber harvest of ,63 mmbf per <br />year. The maximum non-impairing, biological timber cut possible <br />on the GMUG National Forests is 122.3 mmbf per year, The current <br />demand for timber on the forests is 30 mmbf. Thus, even with <br />Fossil Ridge timber removed from the base1 the forests could still <br />cut four times ~he present timber demand. 9 <br /> <br />Almost all roads have been excluded fr.om the WSA boundaries in the <br />conservationists' proposal, Exceptions are Cross Creek and <br />Cameron Creek where 4-wheel drive access roads lead to private <br />inholdings. No other use of the roads is made, In both cases, we <br />propose placing gates at these ways to allow motorized access for <br />property owners only. The Forest Service has proposed increased <br />use of motorized vehicles, but this could greatly harm the stream <br />quality of the area. Attemtping to enforce designated trail use <br />would also create serious management problems for the administer- <br />ing agencies. Opportunities for similar motorized recreation <br />exist in more appropriate places outside Fossil Ridge. <br /> <br />Boundary adjustments have eliminated grazing conflicts. Access <br />for ranchers now using the area is by horseback. <br /> <br />Boundary Issues <br /> <br />A difference of 9600 acres exists between the conservationists' <br />proposal and the WSA boundary. The conservationists' boundary <br />includes a section of Union Park in the northeastern corner of the <br />area, This area contains Lottis Creek, a very ecologically- <br />productive wetland, The wetland provides essential shelter for <br />many birds and serves to reduce flood peaks, recharge groundwater <br />supplies and filter pollutants and sediments. <br /> <br />19Grand Mesa/Uncompahqre/Gunnison <br />September 1983. <br /> <br />Forests <br /> <br />Draft <br /> <br />Plan, <br /> <br />14 <br />