Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Oi'>;l.~S <br />_'. u....., . <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />NON-CRITICAL ELEMENTS <br /> <br />PALEONTOLOGY <br /> <br />Affected Environment: <br />The 'intra-canyon (basin) areas of the SRMA contain Mesozoic Formations, some of which are <br />known for important vertebrate and invertebrate fossils. Tertiary Formations, mostly east of the <br />Gore Range, are also known for such fossils. The SRMA.area has yielded numerous important <br />paleontologic resources in the past. <br /> <br />Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action: <br />Management Prescription #1,2,3, and 4 (Boundary Adjustment, Identifying Land Use Priorities, <br />NSO for oil and gas leasing, LandlMineral Withdrawal): The proposed action is anticipated to <br />have only minor impacts on paleontologic resources. The proposed boundary expansion, as well <br />as the proposed management prescriptions could result in less development activity in the <br />SRMA. This would reduce the number of paleontologic surveys completed prior to surface <br />disturbing activity. The possibility of discovering important paleontologic resources as a result <br />of development proposals is not highly probable, and this impact is not considered to be <br />important. Most fossils would remain in the ground, and yet available for future discovery. <br /> <br />FOREST MANAGEMENT: <br /> <br />No commercial forest lands are present within the proposed SRMA. Therefore, there would be <br />no impact to forest management associated with this action. <br /> <br />. <br />GEOLOGY AND MINERALS <br /> <br />Affected Environment: <br />The SRMA consists of a narrow corridor along the Colorado River from above Kremmling <br />downstream to State Bridge. This area includes: river alluvium and terraces; small, low relief <br />sedimentary rock basins; and high relief canyons in Precambrian rocks. There has been mineral <br />activity in this area in all three of the Federal mineral types, salable, leasable and locatable. A <br />detailed analysis of mineral potential of the area is covered in a separate mineral report for the <br />propcsed SRMA. <br /> <br />Salable Minerals: Salable minerals include sand and gravel, rip-rap, decorative stone and moss <br />rock. Much of the low lying areas of Middle Park (The non-mountainous part of Grand County <br />east of the Park Range. and west of the Front Range) have considerable volumes of sand and <br />gravel and alluvial materials. This includes areas near the Colorado River, Williams Fork River, <br />Fraser River, Blue Ri ver, Muddy Creek, Reeder Creek, and Troublesome Creek. The terraces <br />that line much of these valleys contain considerable amounts of these materials. Similarly, areas <br />in Eagle Counry near the Colorado River, Azure Valley, Sheephom Creek, Eagle River and Piney <br />Creek also contain these materials. The recreation, soils, and protection priority areas in the <br />existing SRMA are closed to new mineral material sales by existing RMJ' decisions. In the <br />remaining sections of the SRMA, mineral material sales are discretionary. Because of the <br /> <br />21 <br />