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An abandoned oil and gas exploratory hole is located in close proximity to the proposed test well. The well produced no oil or gas. D3ta on what minerals were encountered is available at Reclamation's Montrose Construction Office for review'. Specifically, we do not know exactly what minerals we may encounter in the test well. Safety precautions would be followed to prevent the loss of oil and gas that may be encountered when drilling. 18. Ccmrent: 3. Page 10 - Mineral Rights: The statement that BJR could "let him have all the brine he would need" is misleading at best. Brine is a leasable Federal mineral, and this section should be revised to reflect sodium leasing procedures. Response: The Department of the Interior's solicitor has determined that the brine pumped by the Paradox Valley Unit is not considered a mineral and therefore is not subject to leasing procedures. As stated in the text, the sub-surface rights holder who, has voiced an interest in the brine would be provided a source for the brine, as long as he does not return it to the D:>lores River, or let it enter any ground water which would eventually get back into the Dolores River. 19. Ccmrent: 4. Page 15 - Econanic System: uranium exploration did occur for assessment work. No uranium mining occurred during 1985; however, in the form of prospecting and drill holes, mostly Response: The text has been changed to incorporate this ccmrent. 20. Ccmrent: The proposed test site is imrediately adjacent to the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA) , an area of approximately 28,630 acres (see frontispiece map). This land has been reccmrended as suitable for wilderness designation by the BJ:M. The proposed project would not directly impact the WSA. However, the project could indirectly iIrpact the WSA by reducing the opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation due to the noise and visual intrusion associated with the project. The ELM's Wilderness Management Policy dated September 24, 1981, (attached) states: "Buffer Zones and Adjacent Lands: No buffer zones will be created around wilderness areas to protect them fran the influence of activities on adjacent land. The fact that non-wilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard fran areas within the wilderness shall not, of itself, preclude such activities or uses up to the boundary of the wilderness area. When activities on adjacent lands are proposed, the specific impacts of those activities upon the wilderness resource and upon 29 f10 71