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<br />Purpose and Need <br /> <br />access to valid mining claims, patented <br />mining claims, and State mineral <br />lands. Conversely~ access to these <br />lands could have adverse effects on <br />wil derness va 1 ues. Access is an issue <br />in American Flats, Redcloud Peak, and <br />Handies Peak WSAs. <br /> <br />5. Effects on Water Quality - Water <br />quality could be affected by road <br />construction and mineral exploration <br />and development. As a result of valid <br />existing rights, mineral development is <br />expected to be the same wi th or wi thout <br />wilderness designation in all but the <br />Redcloud Peak WSA. The Red Mountain <br />alunite deposit is projected to occur <br />only in the absence of wllderness <br />designation. In addition, given the <br />potential of mineral discovery in the <br />Redcloud Peak, Handies Peak, and <br />American Flats WSAs exploration <br />activity is expected to Occur in these <br />WSAs if not designated wilderness. <br />Therefore, water quality is an issue <br />for these three WSAs. <br /> <br />6. Effects on Soil Erosion Soil <br />erosion could be affected by <br />development activity associated with <br />mineral exploration and development. <br />As a result of valid existing rights in <br />four of the WSAs, development is not <br />expected to be significantly different <br />with or without wil derness <br />designation. Development of the Red <br />Mountain alunite deposit in the <br />Redcloud Peak WSA is expected to occur <br />only if the area is not designated <br />wilderness. In addition, mineral <br />exploration is expected to Occur in the <br />Redcloud Peak, Handies Peak, and <br />American Flats WSAs if not designated <br />wil derness. Therefore, due to <br />projected development and/or <br />exploration activity, soil erosion is <br />an issue for these three WSAs. <br /> <br />7. Effects on Wil dl ife Wi! dl ife <br />could be affected by mineral <br />exploration and development. As a <br />result of valid existing rights <br />development is not expected to be <br />significantly different with or without <br />wilderness designation in four of the <br />WSAs. Development of the Red Mountain <br />alunite deposit in the Redcloud Peak <br />WSA is expected to Occur only if the <br />area is not designated wilderness. <br />Exploration activity is projected to <br />occur in Redcloud Peak, Handies Peak <br />and American Flats WSAs if not <br />designated wilderness. Therefore) due <br />to projected mineral exploration and <br />development. wildife is an issue in <br />these three WSAs. <br /> <br />8. Effects on Air Qual ity Air <br />quality is identified as an issue in <br />the Redcloud Peak WSA as a result of <br />alunite development. Activities in the <br />other four WSAs are not predicted to be <br />si gnlfi cantly di fferent wi th or without <br />designation and, therefore, air quality <br />is not an issue for these WSAs. <br /> <br />The following issues were identified in <br />seoping, but were not selected for detailed <br />analysis in this EIS. The reasons for <br />setting each of these issues aside are <br />discussed below. <br /> <br />1. Effects on Livestock Operations - <br />Concerns were raised that 1 i vestock <br />opera tors coul d be requi red to modify <br />their operations within designated <br />wilderness areas in a manner that would <br />have s 19n; fi cant adverse economi c <br />impacts on their business. This issue <br />was considered but dropped from <br />detailed analysis because the BLM's <br />wilderness management policy provides <br />for the continued use of wilderness <br />areas for livestock operations at <br />historic levels. Although the <br /> <br />6 <br />