WSPC07444

• File Number: 7630.500
• Description: Wild and Scenic - Rio Grande River
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 9/1/1989
• Author: DOI-BLM
• Title: San Luis Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement - Draft - Volume II - Chapters 4-Appendices
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

OH535

CHAPTER 4

Managing 150 acres of bald eagle roosting areas under a
no surface occupancy requirement would result in increased
drilling and production costs because of the need for
directional drilling to develop potential fluid resources within
the central portion of these roost areas. This increased cost
could result in loss of potential fluid mineral resources in
these areas. The use of a seasonal restriction on 5,975 acres
of bald eagle wintering areas could result in higher
exploration, drilling and development costs, and possible
scheduling inconvenience.

All Federal fluid mineral estate would be open for leasing
with the exception ofthe 3,620 acres within the incorporated
city of Del Norte and the WSAs recommended for wilderness
designation. Managing 145,301 acres (23.5 percent) under
standard lease terms would allow for the exploration and
development of potential fluid mineral resources from these
lands with few restrictions. Management of an additional
384,105 acres (62 percent) of fluid mineral estate under
a seasonal use restriction could result in increased costs to
the operator/lessee because of scheduling inconvenience,
cumulative effects of various seasonal use restrictions for
different resource values, and potential production access
problems. The implementation of an NSO requirement on
87,845 acres of fluid mineral estate (approximately 14
percent of the planning area) would as indicated result in
a defacto closure of approximately 30,000 acres and
significantly limit exploration and development on the
remaining 57,845 acres. This impact is especially significant
in this planning area because of the limited geologic,
stratigraphic, and structural fluids information available for
much of the region and the inability to acquire this necessary
information because of surface use exclusions. This fact is
of special concern within the area of the oil and gas
development contract.

identifying 6Oi,665 acres (97 percent) as open to minerai
entry and location would make this acreage available for
exploration and development under the general mining laws.
Continuation of existing and new withdrawals from mineral
entry on the Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area (7,750 acres),
USFS administrative sites (200 acres), the Pike Stockade/
Monte Vista park R&PP sites (1,200 acres), 3,300 acres
of WSAs recommended for wilderness designation, six
eligible NRHP sites (740 acres), and the 6,016 acres of
Rio Grande River Corridor SRMA, which includes 1,760
acres of wild and scenic proposal, would preclude mineral
exploration and potential production on these lands. Total
acres closed to mineral entry and location would be 19,206
(3 percent). The impact of these actions, however, would
not result in significant consequences because of the minimal
to low potential of these acres for locatable minerals. Closure
of 40,104 acres to OHV use and designation of 10 areas
of critical environmental concern (ACEC) on 135,518 acres
would result in increased operating costs and inconvenience

for mining claimants/operators. These increases would occur
because 43 CFR 3809 regulations require filing and approval
of a plan of operations for all activities other than casual
use.

Identifying 525,643 acres (85 percent) of BLM land within
the planning area as open to disposal of mineral materials
would leave this acreage available for use by public and
government agencies. Disposal of mineral materials would
be closed on 95,228 acres (15 percent). The closure oflarge
portions of the Los Mogotes and San Luis Hills would be
especially significant because of the moderate to high
potential for the presence of volcanic cinders in these areas.
The combination of closing 15 percent ofthe available lands
added to the requirement for season of use restrictions on
384,105 acres or 62 percent would significantly limit the
potential for the production and use of mineral materials
within the planning unit.

Paleontological Resources

I

'Under this alternative, an intensive inventory would be
initiated to determine the scope and kind of actual resources
present within the planning area. All the significant resources,
vertebrate and invertebrate, would be protected and
developed for public education opportunities and research.
These significant locations would be retained in public
ownership and closed to OHV, surface occupancy, and other
physical disturbance. Offering selected sites to the interested
public as special educational and collecting area would
enhance the overall understanding and protection of these
resources.

~

Riparian Resources Management

Approximately 1,400 acres of inventoried vegetation in good
or excellent condition would be maintained, 400 acres would
improve from poor or fair condition, and 15 acres would
remain in poor condition. Inventory of an additional 1,413
acres would allow for recognition and management of
riparian values in future action plans and possible
modification of existing plans. Development of historic
wetlands currently managed by BLM would provide an
additional 1,370 acres.

Acquisition of additional acres would consolidate BLM land
along stream corridors, improve management capabilities,
and increase riparian acreage. Potential disposal of some
BLM land would have a minor impact on the total riparian
resource.

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