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<br />The President <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />Of the alternatives considered, the recommended action is most compatible <br />with existing Forest Service management direction in the Eagle-Aspen Unit <br />Plan, particularly wildlife objectives. It is also consistent with the <br />goals of Pitkin County where Spruce Creek and Deadman Projection are located. <br /> <br />Historically, local residents have supportel! wil derness designation for the <br />Spruce Creek Area. They urged that the area be included in the Hunter- <br />Fryingpan Wilderness when the area was designated in the Endangered American <br />Wilderness Act of 1978. Further, the area was supported for wilderness in <br />RARE II. Of the 74 comments received subsequent to the release.of the Draft <br />Environmental Impact Statement for the Spruce Creek Addition and the pub- <br />lic hearing, only two comments were against wilderness designation. The <br />recommendation, therefore, responds favorably to the expressed preferences <br />of the local residents. <br /> <br />" <br />.. <br /> <br />The timber annual potential yi.el d in Spruce Creek Area is estimated to be <br />between 2.0 and 2.5 million board feet. However, under the recommended <br />action there will be no adverse impact on the existing timber industry which <br />is dependent on National Forest System lands for raw material. The industry <br />now existing in the area consists of a number of small operators who derive <br />their raw material needs from timber sales in areas which are easily accessed. <br />The White River National Forest can presently supply timber needs considerably <br />in excess of the capacity of existi ng industry. <br /> <br />It is unlikely that a major manufacturer of wood products will move into the <br />area in the near future because of the high labor, land, and development costs <br />associated with processing these low value timber resources. Furthermore, <br />local government is reluctant to zone for a manufacturing facility that may <br />conflict with recreation related developments. There are six existing ski <br />areas and two proposed at this time within Eagle and Pitkin Counties. All <br />are major destination ski areas that attract both n~tional and international <br />cl i ente1 e. <br /> <br />As provided in section 2(e) of Public Law 95.237, the study area will be <br />managed, until Congress determines otherwise, so as to maintain its present <br />wilderness character and potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness <br />Preservation System. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br /> <br />G(~ <br /> <br />: . ~.:'~ J. EloclC <br /> <br />[ .iO"~0t..S.!"7 <br />Enclosures <br />