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<br />[l):"H4 <br /> <br />Alternatives Including the Proposed Action <br /> <br />woul d not be developed. For purposes of <br />analysis, and in order to present both <br />perspectives, it was decided that <br />alternatives that recommended that portion <br />of the WSA as suitable would not include <br />alunite development. In those where the <br />area was nonsuitable alunite development is <br />projected. <br /> <br />Redcloud Peak (CO-030-208) <br /> <br />Proposed Action (Conflict Resolution <br />Alternative I) - Under this alternative <br />30,400 acres would be recommended as <br />suitable for wilderness designation <br />including 720 acres outside the WSA <br />boundary and previously cherry-stemmed from <br />the southern side of the WSA (see Map 1-2). <br />This boundary is delineated to exclude the <br />Red Mountain alunite deposit. In addition, <br />the eastern boundary of this alternative is <br />drawn to exclude several potential <br />transportation corridors for the extraction <br />of ore (see Map 1-2). This alternative is <br />the same as the Wilderness Manageability <br />Alternative with the exception of the <br />eastern boundary. <br /> <br />The proposed action represents a change <br />from the OEIS in which Conflict Resolution <br />Alternative II was the preferred <br />alternative. 8ased on public comments, <br />Conflict Resolution Alternative I would <br />still allow for development of the Red <br />Mountain alunite deposit while better <br />protecting the wilderness resource. <br /> <br />Mineral Resource Development - Subject to <br />valid existing rights, all lands within the <br />30,400 acres of the Red Cloud Peak WSA <br />recommended as suitable woul d be withdrawn <br />from appropriation under the mining and <br />mineral leasing laws. <br /> <br />Within the suitable area, the Cooper and <br />Silver Creek area may be developed for base <br />and precious metals as a result of valid <br />exi sting ri ghts. Two small underground <br /> <br />Redcloud Peak <br /> <br />mines are projected on private land <br />involving less than 5 acres of surface <br />disturbance each and an underground mine <br />developed on Federal land involving a total <br />surface di sturbance of 5 to 15 acres. If <br />developed an additional 1 to 3 miles (2-5 <br />acres) of new road constructi on per mf ne <br />would be needed. <br /> <br />It is assumed under this al ternati ve that <br />the Red Mountain alunite deposit, located <br />in the nonsuitable portion, would <br />eventually be developed in a manner similar <br />to the Earth Sciences proposal. The <br />company proposes to extract the ore using a <br />multiple branch surface mining method. <br />Average daily production would be In the <br />range of 12,500 tons of ore. Lower grade <br />ore would be stockpiled in the upper East <br />Fork, Alpine Gulch. The total surface <br />di sturbance after 100 years woul d be 425 <br />acres which includes the mine and its <br />service area. An additional 3 to 4 miles <br />(5-7 acres) of new road construction would <br />be needed. Also, outside the northern <br />boundary in the nonsuitable portion there <br />could be two underground mines involving a <br />surface disturbance of 5 to 15 acres. <br />Prospecting and exploration activities <br />would continue outside the designated <br />boundary for economic deposits of <br />minerals. This would occur In the high <br />potential area along the north and <br />northeast edge of the WSA. Surface <br />disturbance would occur on about 10 to 20 <br />acres. <br /> <br />Recreation - The suitable acreage under <br />this alternative would be managed to <br />maintain a primitive badcountry recreation <br />setting to provide opportunities for <br />hiking, hunting, camping, photography, and <br />mountain climbing. Recreational use would <br />focus primarily on the Sfl ver Creek trail <br />which offers easy access to Redcloud and <br />Sunshine Peaks, two of Colorado's 54 peaks <br />over 14,000 feet. The Cooper Creek trail <br />would also remain moderately popular with <br /> <br />15 <br />