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,'\""~..,,. U:.J,-{-iJ Alternatives Including the Proposed Action Alpine Gulch to spread out visitor use and to take advantage of the unused recreation potential of that area. Recreation vehicles are not currently permitted and no additional closures would be necessary. The expected mineral development on the northern boundary of the area would not change recreatfon management. The development anticipated for S11 ver and Cooper Creeks woul d result in access roads bei ng developed into thi s area. Roads resulting from this development would not be open to recreational vehicles. An alternate trail to Redc10ud and Sunshine Peaks could be developed via Bent Creek. No Wilderness Alternative (No Action)-The entf re Redcloud Peak WSA waul d be recommended as nonsuitab1e for wilderness designation. Mineral Resource Development - All land within thfs study area would remain open to appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws. Presently there are over 900 mining clafms in the WSA. It is assumed under thi s alternati ve that the Red Mountain al uni te deposit waul d eventually be developed. The total surface disturbance after 100 years would be 425 acres which includes the mine and its service area. An additional 3 to 4 miles (5-7 acres) woul d be needed for new road construction. The Cooper and Silver Creek area is likely to be developed for base and precious minerals. There would be two small underground mines on private land fnvo1ving less than 5 acres of surface disturbance each and an underground mi ne de vel oped on Federal 1 and f nvol vi ng a total surface disturbance of 5 to 15 acres. An additional 1 to 3 miles (2-5 acres) of new road construction per mine would be needed. The northern boundary woul d al so have two underground mines i nvo1 vi ng a Redcloud Peak surface disturbance of 5 to 15 acres. Prospecting and exploration for economic deposits of minerals would continue in those areas with high mineral potential. These activftfes, which would involve small excavations, minor road work and small drill pad cuts, would disturb about 35-70 acres. Recreation - If no acreage is designated wilderness, the recreation goals for the area waul d be to mai nta f n a primiti ve backcountry setting. This would provide opportunities for mountain climbing, hunting, fishing, hiking, photography, and nature study. The area is currently closed to recreation vehicles so no further closures would be necessary. Mineral development in the Silver and Cooper Creek drainages would resul t in access roads being developed into thfs area. An alternative trail to Redc10ud and Sunshine Peaks would be developed up Bent Creek. Expected development of the a1 uni te deposits on Red Mountain would result in the recreation setting in this area being influenced by the sights and sounds of mining activity. Any roads resulting from these developments would be evaluated to determi ne thei r suitabil ity for recreati on use. The current estimated recreation use of 5000 RUDs would increase at an estimated 5 percent annually. Wilderness Manageability Alternative- Under this alternative 37,530 acres would be recommended as suitab1 e for wil derness designation (see Map 1-2). This alternative reduces the wi 1 derness area to a unit which contains most of the wilderness values within the WSA while excluding some peripheral patented lands south of Henson Creek and north of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The boundary on the north primarily follows a legal subdivision; on the east parallels either the WSA boundary or topographi c fea tures; on the south parallels the WSA boundary, follows a legal subdivision south of 17