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<br />Alternatives Including the Proposed Action <br /> <br />Sunshi ne Peak, and parall el s the road <br />right-of-way; and on the west parallels the <br />WSA boundary which is a topographic <br />feature. The wil derness part of thi s <br />alternative includes extensive deer, elk, <br />and bighorn sheep habitat, as well as <br />numerous canyons I ridges I and peak.s of the <br />Redcloud Peak unit. <br /> <br />Mineral Resource Development - Subject to <br />valid existing rights, all land within <br />37,53D acres of the Redcloud WSA <br />recommended as suitable would be withdrawn <br />from appropriation under the mining and <br />mineral leasing laws. <br /> <br />It is assumed that under the Manageabil ity <br />Alternative alunite would not be <br />developed. In the Silver and Cooper Creek <br />area I two pri vate 1 andowners have expressed <br />a strong interest in developing a total of <br />3 mines on their private land. Assuming <br />two of the three mines are successful, the <br />surface disturbance would be 1 imited to no <br />more than 5 acres per mine. The Federal <br />land is heavily staked with mining claims <br />throughout the Sil ver and Cooper Creek <br />areas. Due to the capital needed and the <br />economics involved in developing a <br />successful mining operation, most claimants <br />with valid existing rights would probably <br />sell their claim to a consolidated <br />interest. This interest would develop an <br />underground mine in the area involving a <br />surface di sturbance of 5 to 15 acres. Each <br />of these ml nes woul d requi re 1 to 3 mil es <br />(2-5 acres) of road construction. <br /> <br />Two small underground mines with a surface <br />disturbance of 5 to 15 acres would also be <br />developed outside the northern boundary of <br />the suitable area. There is no mineral <br />development anticipated on the remaining <br />nonsuitabl e acreage. Wil derness <br />designation would preclude further <br />exploration for economic deposits of <br />minerals other than those claims with valid <br />existing rights within its boundaries. <br /> <br />18 <br /> <br />Redcloud Peak <br /> <br />Recreation In this alternative all <br />suitable acreage would be managed to <br />maintain a primitive backcountry setting to <br />provide opportunities for hiking, hunting, <br />fishing, photography, and mountain <br />climbing. Approximately 95 percent of the <br />estimated current 5DDO RUDs occur in this <br />portion of the WSA. The anticipated g <br />percent increase in number of <br />recreationists would require increased <br />efforts in visitor information and <br />education. The Silver and Cooper Creek <br />trails, which now receive the majority of <br />use, would be periodically maintained and <br />toilet facilities would be placed at the <br />Silver Creek trailhead. Additional trails <br />would be developed in Alpine Gulch to <br />spread out visitor use and to take <br />advantage of the unused recreation <br />potential of that area. Recreation <br />vehicles are not currently permitted in <br />this area and no additional closures would <br />be necessary. <br /> <br />The mineral development for the Silver and <br />Cooper Creek drainages would result in <br />access roads being developed into these <br />areas. Roads resulting from this develop- <br />ment would not be open to recreational <br />vehicles. An alternative trail to Redcloud <br />and Sunshine Peaks could be developed via <br />Bent Creek. <br /> <br />Nonsuitable acreage under this al ternative <br />would be managed to maintain a primitive <br />backcountry setting. Sane mineral <br />development is anticipated along the <br />northern boundary' but very li ttl e <br />recreat10n use occurs here and no <br />management actions are necessary. This <br />area is currently closed to recrea ti on <br />vehicles and no further closures are <br />necessary. <br /> <br />Conflict Resolution Alternative II <br />Under thi s al ternative 11 ,14D acres woul d <br />be recommended as suitable for wilderness <br />designation (see Map 1-2). The northern <br />