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<br />OJJ2Q7 <br /> <br />The alternative proposals presented are described in the Hearing <br />Officer's Report (appended) and are indicated in Exhibit C. <br />Generally, the suggestions received favored designating more <br />wilderness totaling about 12,500 acres; closing the Liberty Cap <br />Motor Nature Road on Monument Mesa; and eliminating the <br />"mahagement zone" along th.e northeastern boundary. <br /> <br />12 <br /> <br />Careful study was given to the oral and written statements received <br />as a result of the public hearing. Conclusions are as follow: <br /> <br />Most conservation groups favored elimination of the Liberty Cap <br />Motor Nature Road and the placing of most of Monument Mesa in <br />wilderness. It is felt that this road will provide a leisurely driving <br />experience to several new and outstanding canyon views, and also <br />provide a better opportunity for comprehensive interpretation of <br />mesa-top ecology than is now possible from the Rim Rock Drive. It <br />will also provide for dispersal of visitors within the monument, and <br />assist considerably with crowded conditions existing at the main <br />viewpoints along the Rim Rock Drive during the main travel season. <br />It is therefore favored for retention. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Many conservation groups proposed a 2000-acre No Thoroughfare <br />Canyon wi Iderness. Others favored designation of 500 acres in Kodel <br />Canyon. These areas were not studied because they contain less than <br />5000 contiguous road less acres. <br /> <br />The location of the wilderness boundary 1/8 mile inside and parallel <br />to the monument boundary, as shown on Exhibit A, is necessary for <br />minimum present and future management, including bo'undary <br />fencing. Adjacent land uses include grazing, agriculture, and hunting. <br /> <br />The 7700-acre area recommended for wilderness designation in the <br />preliminary wilderness proposal possesses attributes commonly <br />accorded wilderness: A primitive atmosphere prevails in a natural <br />setting; and the regional location, topography, and resource character <br />provide opportunities for a wilderness experience. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />For the reasons set forth, no revision of the preliminary wilderness <br />proposal of 7700 acres is recommended. <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br /> <br />Director, National Park Service <br />