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E, SUMMA~Y 93'. WI ~DERNESS SUITABILITY EVALUATION Section IV B describes in detail the wilderness suitability evaluation conducted for the Oh-Be-Joyful Wilderness Study Area, A finding of suitability requires that the area be found to be 1) capable, 2) available and 3) needed for wilderness designation. - Is the ~ capable of wilderness designation? Both the physical characteristics and the manageability of the area were evaluated. The Wilderness Attribute Rating (see Appendix A) for Oh-Be-Joyful indicates an overall high degree of wilderness character. The manageability of the area as wilderness involves considerable uncertainty due to the possibility of future mineral resource devel)p- ment within the Study Area. Because of its size and configuration, wilderness charact(:r may be difficult to maintain if significant mineral discovery clnd development occurs. However, the Study Area is manageable as wilderness unless mineral.cevelopment actually occurs, and the conclusion is that the area has 0 high wilderness capability. - Is the area available for wilderness? ---- ----- Due to a current lack of actual discovery of producable mineral deposits, the study does not make a direct comparison of economic value between the wilderness suitability and unsuitability alternatives. Nor does it conclusively determine the "highest and best use" of the area. The available evidence, however, indicates a likelihood of significant economic and social value due to mineral resource potential. With the suitable alternatives, there is an increased possibility that a signif- icant discovery may be foregone due to the December 1983 mineral claim and exploration deadline in the Wilderness Act. The area is heavily encumbered by mining claims and oil and gas leases. The review recognizes the Forest Service has authority for environmental protection measures on unfatented claims but does not decide whether or not activity occurs. Mining activities on both patented and unpatented claims may result in activities incompatible with wilderness preservation. There would be no anticipated adverse effects of wilderness designa- tion on the management of adjacent lands. The Oh-Be-Joyful Wilderness Study Area is considered ullsuitable for wilderness designation using the availability criteria This con- clusion is reached because of th~ high mineral potenti 11 and the chance of not making a significa1t mineral discovery U Ider wilderness designation. - !--_s. ~he ?_r_ea ne~9_e_c!. for:. ~l}.de!ne~~..? There are nearly 600,000 acres 0= wilderness nearby, L eluding a recent 463,900 acre increase with enactment of the Colcrado Wilderness Act in 1980. This suggests the ~rea is not needed to improve wilder- 16b