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"')!'\~ -, t.' f U.... j . Alternatives Including the Proposed Action fishing in a primitive backcountry recreation setting. Current use is estimated to be 4000 RUDs for the enti re WSA. Of that about 75 percent occurs within the suitable area. This use is increasing at an estimated rate of about 5 percent annually. Based on an anticipated increase in visitor use after designation, more effort would be put into periodic trail maintenance, as well as visitor information and education. Recreational vehicle use is not pennitted in the area and no additional closures will be necessary. The expected development of mineral resources, particularly in American Basin, would resul t in the management of this area being directed toward providing a continuation of existing activities except in a setting that would be affected by motori zed use. The nonsuitable portion of this WSA would be managed to maintain a primitive backcountry setting for hikers, hunters, fishennen, and photographers. In the areas of Snare Creek, Cuba Gulch, and Campbell Creek the expected mineral development woul d alter the setting to one infl uenced by motorized use. The recreation use will continue to center around the Cataract Gulch and Cuba Gulch trails which are used by hi kers and hunters. These trail s woul d be periodically maintained. The majority of the nonsuitable portion is too steep to allow recreational vehicle use. The area is currently closed to vehicles and no additional closures would be necessary. Roads that resul t from mineral development would be reevaluated to determine their suitability for vehicle oriented recreation. All Wilderness Alternative - The entire 18,860 acre Handies Peak WSA would be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation. Mineral Resource Development - SUbject to valid existing rights, all lands within the 18,860 acres of the Handies Peak WSA would Handies Peak be withdrawn from appropr1ati on under the mining and mineral leasing laws. Presently, there are approximately 200 mining claims with the majority concentrated in the western hal f of the WSA. Handies Peak is geologically similar to an adjacent highly productive area of the Eureka Mining District. For the purposes of analysis, it was assumed that similar vein deposits al so occur in Handies Peak. The information known about this WSA does indicate a high mineral potential in the western section for the location of base and precious metal s, uranium. and two of the critical and strategic minerals, cobalt and nickel (See Appendix 3.8!. For the purpose of analysis, one to three si gnifi cant underground mi nes woul d be developed in the Lake Fork drainage area. The larger of the significant mining operations would involve a total of 50 acres of surface disturbance and the other two waul d i nvol ve no more than 25 acres each. New road construction would involve a maximum length of 3 miles (5 acres) per mine. Development is anticipated on private land west of the Shelf Road in the eastern portion of the WSA for base and precious minerals. The mine would disturb from 5 to 15 surface acres. No exploration activities would take place. Recreation - Recreation management for this area. as outl ined in the Recreation Area Management Plan, calls for the maintenance of a primitive backcountry recreational setting to provide opportunities for mountain climbing, nature study, hunting, fi shing, photography, and hi ki ng. The current 4000 RUDs in the Handi es Peak wil derness is expected to increase by g percent annually and more effort woul d be put into periodic trail maintenance, trailhead signing, and visitor information and education. The area is currently closed to recreational vehicles and no additional closures would be necessary. 21