Laserfiche WebLink
<br />OG2387 <br /> <br />timber harvest <br />Peak area,29 so <br />Similarly, the <br />rugged nature. <br /> <br />activities exist directly west of the St. Louis <br />little interest has been shown in timbering here. <br />area sees little grazing or ORV use because of its <br /> <br />Currently, there are no known mineral reserves or producing sites <br />within the St. Louis/Vasquez Peaks area. In spite of the presence <br />of a number of unpatented mining claims, a low level of explora- <br />ation activity has occurred. <br /> <br />Boundary Issues <br /> <br />The Forest Service has recommended the Vasquez Peak WSA for <br />wilderness, a decision conservationists heartily endorse. <br />However, the St. Louis Peak FPA has been recommended for <br />non-wilderness. Although the agency admits that the area is <br />available and needed for wilderness, it claims the FPA is not <br />suitable for designation because of difficulties with boundary <br />locations, external influences, and a proposed Denver Water Board <br />(DWB) diversion project. Contrary to the Forest Service's <br />assertions, all of the perceived conflicts are insufficient <br />justification for a non-wilderness recommendation. <br /> <br />The boundary is geographically definable; while it is long and <br />narrow, the St. Louis Peak FPA is a rugged, continuous unit with <br />the Vasquez Peak WSA. The alleged external influences are an AMAX <br />mine, timber cuts, and roads. The underground Henderson Mine <br />cannot be detected from within the area, with the exception of a <br />few spots close to the boundary on the very southern end. While <br />one can catch glimpses of roads and old timber cuts from within <br />the FPA, they do not significantly detract from its wilderness <br />qualities. In fact, they point to the greater need to protect the <br />area from further encroachment. The Fraser Valley experienced a <br />population increase of 100% between 1970 and 1980, and the entire <br />St. Louis/Vasquez Peaks area of 26,100 acres is critical to meet <br />the need for wilderness in the valley. <br /> <br />Finally, the Denver Water Board's proposed <br />not significantly impact the area, as it <br />at all, intrude on the proposed wilderness <br /> <br />diversion <br />would only <br />boundary. <br /> <br />project will <br />Slightly, if <br /> <br />29Routt National Forest Plan, November 1983. <br /> <br />27 <br />