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Alternatives Including the Proposed Action Expected mineral development in areas of high potential would resul t in roads being developed into this area. These would not be open to recreational vehicle use. No lIilderness Alternative (No Action)-The entire Handies Peak WSA would be recommended as nonsuitable for wilderness designation. Mineral Resource Development - All land within this study area would remain open to appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws. Presently, there are approximately 200 mining claims with the majori ty 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 also 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 metals, uranium and two of the critical and strategic minerals, cobalt and nickel (See Appendix 3.8). For the purpose of analysis it is assumed that one to three significant underground mines will be developed in the Lake Fork drainage area. The larger of the significant mining operations would involve a total of 50 acres and the other two would invol ve no more than 25 acres each. New road construction would involve a maximum length of 3 miles (5 acresl per mine. Development is also anticipated on private land west of the Shelf Road in the eastern edge of the WSA for base and precious minerals. The mine would disturb 5 to 15 surface acres. Since the area would remain open to mineral entry, it is anticipated that there would be a continuation of new claims being staked in the WSA. It has been reported to 22 Handies Peak BLM that exploration in the Snare Creek area has resulted in a pOSSible ore body being discovered on private land. If developed, it could result in the Federal land adjacent to it being developed also. Continued exploration activity in the form of small excavat1 ons. road constructi on. and drill pad construction woul d disturb approximately 20 to 40 acres primarily in the western half of the WSA. Recreation - Under this alternative the area would be managed to maintain the primitive backcountry character to provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, photography, and mountain climbing. The expected mineral development in American Basin and Campbell Creek could result in roads being developed into this area. No recreational vehicle use is currently permitted in the area so no further closures would be necessary. Roads that resul t from mineral development would be evaluated to determine their suitability for vehicle oriented recreation. Efforts would be made to periodically maintain the Grizzly Gulch, Sloan Lake, Boulder Gulch, Cuba Gulch and Cataract Gulch trails. The estimated current use of 4,000 RUDs would increase by about 5 percent annually. lIilderness Manageability Alternatfve Under this alternative 8,220 acres woul d be recommended as suitabl e for wi 1 derness designation (see Map 1-2). The boundaries are delineated along topographic features or to exclude mineral development southwest of the WSA. This proposal would also include the upper end of the vehicle way in Ameri can Bas in. The bounda ry woul d parallel the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River on the north and to the east, and woul d parall el the Cottonwood Creek Road on the south. The bounda ry follows a ri dge line south of Boulder Gulch and the ridge enclosing Sloan Lake and American Basin. This alternative concentrates designation around Handies Peak and the surrounding