WSP01911 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

OGJ126 National Park Service proposal for non-wilderness. Ten public agencies had no specific comment. Fifteen organizations and 114 individuals recommended wilderness for portions of Mesa Verde National Park_ The alternative proposals presented are described in the appended Hearing Officer's Report, and are indicated in Exhibit D. The organizations and individuals favoring a wilderness designation stress their opinion that the road less areas do have wilderness character despite the presence of cliff dwellings, mesa-top ruins, and other archeological sites, Those favoring wilderness designation within the park also stated that any archeological work necessary in backcountry sites could be done without mechanical equipment, as was done before modern archeological techniques evolved. As a result of careful study of the oral and written statements received as a result of the public hearing, and after further consideration of management needs. it was recommended that three units of wilderness totaling 8100 acres be established. These units are identified as A (1800 acres). B (1250 acres), and C (5050 acres). There are lesser concentrations of archeological ru ins. both in numbers and importance, in these sections of Mesa Verde, which permits placement of the recommended lands into the wilderness category. Any archeological work necessary in the proposed wilderness units could be done without mechanical equipment. These lands are also not necessary for future visitor development needs, ~ ~ It is felt that on the balance of the road less area lands that no wilderness should be established because of the continuing need for archeological preservation, with its associated research programs. involving excavations and investigations requiring the use of motorized equipment. 4 Director, National Park Service 14