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O[}15S9 CHAPTER 4 TABLE 4-12 OHV DESIGNATION (Resource Enhancement) Designation Acres Percent Open Limited Closed TOTAL 102,828 377,745 40,094 520,677 20 72 8 100 An NSO and no disposal of mineral materials on Blanca and the Rio Grande River Corridor SRMAs (which includes 1,760 acres of wild and scenic proposal) and a portion of SPNM would protect 31,136 acres from surface-disturbing activities. Mineral withdrawals on Blanca and the Rio Grande River Corridor SRMAs would protect 12,145 acres from mineral entry. A nondiscretionary closure on the WSAs recommended for wilderness designation would protect 3,300 acres of wilderness values from mineral activity. Protection and enhancement of 3,081 acres of riparian wnes would benefit recreationists seeking scenic and educational opportunities in these unique environments. A more intensive level of management on Blanca and Trickle Mountain WHAs, and seasonal restrictions or closures in crucial winter ranges, birthing areas, and aquatic habitat would improve and enhance opportunities for hunting, fIShing, and wildlife observation. Prohibiting forest product harvesting on 23,299 acres of SPNM areas would protect recreation opportunities in scenic and predominantly natural settings. Acquisition of land adjacent to the Rio Grande River Corridor SRMA through exchange procedures would provide additional public access and reduce conflicts between recreationists and private landowners. Additional land and access would provide increased recreational opportunities. Management of I 0 ACECs would enhance the nonmotorized types of recreation values (hiking, backpacking) present on 17,370 acres of SPNM areas, but would limit OHV dependent use in these areas. Recreation opportunities would be increased and enhanced on the remaining acres. A primitive and wilderness type experience would be available on 1,760 acres of the Rio Grande River Corridor if that segment is designated as wild and scenic by Congress. Limiting OHV use on 146,370 acres in VRM Class II areas would help protect scenic values. Closure of 19 cultural sites to OHV use would provide additional protection for cultural values. This closure includes the Cattleguard Folsom site (3,595 acres), which is the only location in the planning area that provides an OHV dune riding recreational opportunity. Special plant and animal species habitat limited for OHV use would restrict use on 311 acres. Significant recreational opportunities would be enhanced on Blanca and the Rio Grande River Corridor SRMAs. Protection of semiprimitive recreation values on 23,299 acres would also occur. Dispersed recreational opportunities in the San Luis Extensive Recreation Management Area would be greatly enhanced and increased in this alternative. Visual Resource Management t. " ~ Under this alternative, proposed surface-disturbing activities must meet the allowable class objectives in class 11, III, and IV areas. A restoration project, designed to correct and improve the visually contrasting class IV Blanca Chaining area to VRM Class III objectives, would be implemented on 2,375 acres during the life of the plan. Over the long term, the chaining area would be improved to class II. Refer to Appendix F for more details. Strict conformance to VRM class objectives would protect visual resources. Controlled light cutting on VRM Class II lands would protect the visual qualities of these areas. VRM class objectives would be protected and/or maintained through proper design of rights-of-way proposals. Manage- ment of 10 areas of critical environmental concern would protect the scenic values on 17,690 acres of VRM Class II land and 119,294 acres of VRM Class III land. Designated OHV use in this alternative would generally maintain or enhance scenic values. Visual resources on 146,370 acres of VRM Class II land and 23,299 acres of semiprimitive nonmotorized area (32 percent of the total) would be protected by OHV closures and limitations. Scenic quality would be altered on 102,828 acres (21 percent) of the planning area that is open to OHV use, and the potential for irreversible adverse impacts would increase. Management of 28 percent of the planning area (146,370 acres) as VRM Class II would protect outstanding scenic visual resources. These lands include the areas of scenery that provide significant recreation opportunities. Manage- ment of the remainder of the area (374,307 acres) as VRM Class III or VRM Class IV would maintain the overall visual character of the planning area, but would allow for visually contrasting projects or disturbances within scattered ~ r I ~ 4-20