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'" ') r- '" r_' II ._ )., _ _ . . Several of the streal!ls, notably riS;1, l"alton, Harrison, Service and Silver Creeks have a nur,her of diversion and/or impoundment projects proposed. Althou~h most rights are conditional (re - not yet usen) , these streams are probably over-appropriated ta the point of -(hreatening instream flow needs if these projects are built. The Elk River is the largest stream in the Unit. Soils The majority of soils are coarse textured and there are numerous areas of shallow soils, rock outcrops and talus slones. These soils renerally have a low mass movement potential, low erosion hazard potential and a low to moderete level of inherent fertility. Soils north of Rabbit Ears Pass are developing mainly in granites and gneisses. 'Iuch of the area has heen scoured by r,laciation and soils are shallow or nonexistant. Soils south of Rabbit Ears Pass are develoning in granites and does not show the pronounced evidence of glaciation and soils tend to be Slightly deeper. - Ridges and steep side slopes have little soil developnent. - Finer textured soils are developing in areas where sedimentary formations occur. These occur in the northwest portion of (he Unit between Big Creek and the Elk River and also in the southwest part on Green Ridge. The sedimentary formations generally have deep, nedium to fine textured soils. rlass movel!lent potential is high, erosion hazard is moderate to high and the soil inhe-rent ferti li ty is moderate to high. ~linerals Mineral activities have been relatively sparce. Some prospecting has occurred and a few nining activities developed in the Slavonia, Greenville Mine, North Fish Creek and Burgess Creek areas. Only small amounts of minerals were removed and at the present time there is no mineral output. 110 oil and gas leases exist but sOl!le interest is indicated in geothermal leasing in the lower Had Creek area north of SteaMboat Springs. There are several possible aggregate sources but none have been evaluated or developed. Sone interest in moss rock removal exists where roads ar0 close to the sources. Recreation Recreational onportunities are high. There is diversity between Wilder- ness, non-vehicular or primitive recreation, winter sports inCluding downhill skiing, campgrounds and overlooks. There are 13 developed camp and picnic grounds containing 171 Units. The Steamboat Ski Area on Mt. Werner has a comfortable capacity of 6,000 skiers per day with plans to enlarge to approximately 9,000. 3