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n~ ':'.' E'~) -' '-. ~ '... Purpose and Need which the same was betng conducted on the date of approval of this act. These lands were managed until December 12, 1979 under the State of Colorado Interim Management Policy which parallels FLPMA. Since December 12, 1979, these lands have been managed under the BLM's Interim Management Poltcy and Guidelines for Lands Under Wilderness Review. This document sets policy and guidelines for BLM management of lands under wilderness review. Prior to the passage of FLPMA. the Redcloud Peak area was studied for possible BLM designation as a primitive area. The entire American Flats Planning Unit was considered for designatton as the American Flats National Resource Lands Management Area. Neither of these considerations were made a part of the 1973 American Flats Management Framework Plan. A scenic withdrawal in association with the "Loop Road" which encircles the Redcloud Peak WSA has been in effect since April 11, 1966. Management of the entire area discussed in this EIS is also subject to the American Flats and Silverton Recreation Area Management Plan. Thts plan. approved in 1986, provides direction for the management of the special recreatton values found in this area. Earth Science, Inc. has applted for a preference right lease of 1,667 acres of public land for the purpose of developing a deposit of alunite (potassium aluminum sulfate). The area of the lease application is located on Red Mountain approximately three miles south of Lake City. Earth Science, Inc. originally a prospecting permit in 1970. drilling, three drill holes depth from 306 feet to 688 completed in 1978. In March of applied for Exploration varying in feet. was 1979, Earth Science, Inc. submitted the "Initial Showing" for a preference right lease application. A condition in the prospecting permit issued to Earth Sciences stipulated that unless the deposit could be mined without significant adverse envi ronmental effects, no lease woul d be issued. BLM initiated an environmental assessment in 1983 to resolve that issue. However, before the assessment process could be completed and a decision rendered, the Congress placed a prohibition on processing any lease within a WSA. Completion of the environmental assessment and decision are still pending. PRIVATE LAND INHDLDINGS There are 425 acres of private inholdings within two of the five WSAs. Various combinations of alternatives would contain different amounts of these private holdings (see Table 1-1). In addition, there is a total of 2,340 acres of split-estate mineral inholdings within three of the five WSAs (see Table l-ll. The compatibility of these inholdings with the wilderness values of the surrounding public lands may necessitate the need for land acquisition authority pursuant to any applicable wilderness legislation. Acqui- sition of these inholdings would not be necessary if the properties were used in a manner compatible with the management of the surrounding wilderness. INTERRELATIONSHIPS Forest Service: The American Flats, Bill Hare Gulch, and Larson Creek WSAs share boundaries with the Big Blue Wilderness Area administered by the Forest Service. These WSAs are all too small in acreage to qualify as separate wil derness areas. They would, of necessity, become part of their larger neighbors. As yet, there is no 9