WSP00531 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Alternatives Including the Proposed Action hi kers, hunters, and fi shennen. Areas which would receive less recreation use include Bent Creek, Alpine Gulch, Owl Gulch, and Lee Smelter Gulch. An estimated 5000 Recreation User Days (RUDs) occur in the entire WSA. Most of that (probably 90 percent) occurs within the area recommended as suitable. This use is currently estimated to be increasing by about 5 percent annually. Wilderness designation of this area is expected to enccurage an increase in the number of visitors by about 9 percent. This would result in increased efforts in visitor information and educaticn, as well as regular trail maintenance for the Sil ver and Cooper Creek trails. No recreational vehicles are currently allowed in the area so no further closures would be necessary. The projected mineral development in Sil ver and Cooper Creeks would result in access roads being constructed into these areas. These would not be open to the public. An alternative hiking trail to Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks would be developed in Bent Creek. The nonsuitable acreage under this alternative does not currently receive much recreation use. As much as pOSSible this area would be managed to maintain a primi ti ve backcountry recreati on setting for hunting. fishing, hiking, photography, and nature study. The anticipated development of alunite deposits on Red Mountain would result in a recreation setting influenced by the sights and sounds of mining activity. The plans to develop hiking trails in Alpine Gulch would be abandoned. Roads resulting from this development would be evaluated to detennine their suitability for recreation vehicles. All Wilderness Alternative alternati ve woul d recommend the 40,575 acres of Redcloud Peak suitable for designation. This enti re WSA as Mineral Resource Development - SUbject to valid existing rights, all land within 16 Redcloud Peak 40.575 acres of the Redcloud Peak WSA would be withdrawn from appropriation under the mining and mineral leaSing laws. It is assumed that under the all wilderness alternative alunite would not be developed. In the Silver and Cooper Creek area. two private landowners have expressed a strong interest in developing a total of 3 mines on their private land. Assuming two of the three mines are successful, the surface disturbance would be limited to no more than 5 acres per mine with 1 to 3 miles (2-5 acres) of new road construction. The Federal land is heavily staked with mining claims throughout both basins. Due to the capital needed and the economics involved in developing a successful mining operation. most claimants with valid existing rights would probably sell their claim to a consolidated interest. This interest could develop an underground mine in the area invol ving surface disturbance of 5 to 15 acres and 1 to 3 mil es (2-5 acres) of road construction. Two small underground mines with a surface disturbance of 5 to 15 acres may also be developed along the northern boundary of the WSA. No further exploration deposits of mineral s would than those claims with rights. for occur val id economic on other existing Recreation - Under this alternative the entire area would be managed to maintain a primitive backcountry recreation setting for hikers, hunters, fishennen, photographers, and mountain climbers. Current recreati on use is estimated to be 5000 RUDs. The anticipated increase of 9 percent in the number of recreationists in the area would require increased efforts in visitor infonnation and education. The Silver and Cooper Creek trails would be periodically maintained and toilet facilities would be placed at the Silver Creek trailhead. Approximately 5 miles (3 acres) of trail would be developed in