WSP00531 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~~.?:~(6 Alternatives Including the Proposed Action Alpine Gulch to spread out visitor use and to take advantage of the unused recreation potential of that area. Recreation vehicles are not currently permitted and no additional closures would be necessary. The expected mineral development on the northern boundary of the area would not change recreation management. The development anticipated for Sllver and Cooper Creeks would result In access roads being developed Into this area. Roads resultl ng from thi s development woul d not be open to recreational vehicles. An alternate trail to Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks could be developed via Bent Creek. NO Wilderness Alternative (No Actlon)-The entire Redcloud Peak WSA would be recommended as nonsuitable for wilderness designation. Mineral Resource Development - All land within this study area would remain open to appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws. Presently there are over gOO mining claims in the WSA. It is assumed under this alternative that the Red Mountain alunite deposit would eventually be developed. The total surface di sturbance after 1 DO years woul d be 425 acres which includes the mine and its service area. An additional 3 to 4 miles (5-7 acres) would be needed for new road constructi on. The Cooper and Silver Creek area is likely to be developed for base and precious minerals. There would be two small underground mines on private land Involving less than 5 acres of surface disturbance each and an underground mine developed on Federal land Involvi ng a total surface disturbance of 5 to 15 acres. An additional 1 to 3 miles (2-5 acres) of new road construction per mine would be needed. The northern boundary woul d al so have two underground mines involving a Redcloud Peak surface di sturbance of 5 to 15 acres. Prospecting and exploration for economic deposfts of minerals would continue in those areas with high mineral potential. These activities, which would involve small excavations. minor road work and small drill pad cuts, would disturb about 35-70 acres. Recreation - If no acreage is designated wilderness, the recreation goals for the area would be to maintain a primitive backcountry setting. This would provide opportuniti es for mountai n climbi ng, hunting. fishing, hiking, photography, and nature study. The area is currently closed to recreation vehicles so no further closures woul d be necessary. Mineral development in the Silver and Cooper Creek drainages would result in access roads being developed into this area. An alternative trall to Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks would be developed up Bent Creek. Expected development of the al uni te deposits on Red Mountain would result in the recreation setting in this area being influenced by the sights and scunds of mining activity. Any roads resulting frem these developments would be evaluated to determine their sUitability for recreation use. The current estimated recreation use of 5000 RUDs wculd increase at an estimated 5 percent annually. Wilderness Manageability Alternative- Under this alternative 37,530 acres would be recommended as suitabl e for wil derness designation (see Map 1-2). This alternative reduces the wilderness area to a unit which contains most of the wilderness values within the WSA while excl uding some perl pheral patented 1 ands south of Henson Creek and north of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The boundary on the north primarily follows a legal subdivision; on the east parallels either the WSA boundary or topographic features; on the south parallels the WSA boundary, follows a legal subdivision south of 17