WSP00531 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ ""'; ~ s only disturb 20 to 40 acres they could impact wilderness values on approximately 2,000 acres in these drainages. Wilderness values would be lost on at least 9,000 of the 29,435 acres recommended nonsuitable if a large scale alunite mine and two other small scale mines are developed. In the long term it is expected that wil derness values would be lost on the entire 29,435 acres recommended nonsuitable. Except as noted above mi neral expl ora ti on and development would be precluded on the 11,140 acres recommended suHable. The high potential for discovery in this porti on of the WSA woul d be foregone, The 29,435 nonsu1table acres would remain open to entry. The recreation setting would continue to be a primiti ve backccuntry type except in the vicinity of the alunite mine where it would be changed to one dominated by the sights and sounds of mi ni ng actl vi ty, Use woul d fncrease by 9 percent annually in the suitable portion and remain low in the nonsuitable area. Alunite development would disturb so11s on 520 acres, impact water quality and displace 50 to 80 deer and 100 to 130 elk. Handles Peak (CO-030-291) Proposed Action Alternative) Reso 1 utf on (Conflict Under this alternative 7,885 acres would be recommended as suitable and 10,975 acres would be recommended as nonsu;table. Wilderness designation would provide protection to wilderness values on 7.885 acres with the exception of about 1,000 acres that coul d be affected if projected m;nera' act; vity takes pl ace in the American Basin area. Wilderness values coul d be lost On 400 of the 10, 975 acres recommended nonsuitable as a result of minera 1 development on pr; va te property near Campbell Creek. An additional 10 to 20 acres would be lost to mineral exploration. However, in the long term it is expected that wil derness val ues woul d eventually be lost on the entire 10,975 acres recommended nonsuitable. The 7,885 acres recommended suitabl e woul d be withdrawn from entry. although three mines are projected to be developed for production of base and precious metals based on val id existing rights. With the exception of these valid rights, the high potential of this portion of the W5A would be foregone. One small scale mine is projected to be developed within the nonsuitable area. The 7,885 acres recommended as suitable woul d conti nue to provi de a primi the backccuntry recreation setting although mineral development could change some of that within American Basin to one influenced by the sights and sounds on mining activity. The area around Campbell Creek would also change to a setting i nfl uenced by mi ni n9 activity. The current use in the suitable area. estimated to be 3000 RUDs woul d increase by about 9 percent annually. Soil would be disturbed and productivity lost on up to 135 acres, water quality would be adversely affected and bighorn sheep popul ations woul d be affected by mineral exploration within the nonsuitable area. All Wilderness Alternative The entire 18,860 acres would be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation with this al ternative. Designation would provide protection to 18,860 acres. Although potential development of valid rights in the American 8asin area and near Campbell Creek could result in loss of wilderness values on 1,400 acres. The enti re 18,860 acres woul d be withdrawn from mineral entry. Valid rights would v