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Alternatives Including the Proposed Action currently closed to recreation vehicles and no additional closures would be needed. American Flats (CO-030-217) Prop~~~ __ )\_c~1~n_ ___J~~"-tI1~t Resolution Alternative) Under this al ternative 1 ,505 acres woul d be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation (see Map 1-2). This alternative is an extension of the existing Big Blue Wilderness Area, but del etes all State-owned minerals, highpotentfal mineral resource areas. and the majority of old vehicle ways within the WSA. The western and northern boundaries of the area are the present Big Blue Wil derness boundari es. The southern boundary essentially parall el s the Ouray-Hinsdale County line and a ridge line above Bear Creek to the southwest. These lands primarily include drainages flowing toward the Big Blue Wilderness Area. An exception is American Lake which flows into Henson Creek. Mineral Resource Development - Subject to valid existing rights, all lands within the 1,505 acre portion recommended for designation would be withdrawn from appropri a ti on under the mi ni ng and mineral leasing laws. Since this area is considered low in mineral potential, no mineral development is anticipated on any existing claims. The remal"lng nonsuitable acreage has a moderate to high mineral potential. Due to the cap; tal needed and economf cs ; nvol ved in developing a successful mining operation, claimants with valid existing rights would probably sell their claim to a consolidated interest. This consolidated interes t woul d develop a medi um underground operation in a high mineral potential area involving a disturbance of up to 5 acres for surface activities. An additional 10 acres waul d be needed for a was te dump and a maximum length of 5 miles (8 acres) for new road construction to the mine. The Ameri can Fl a ts minerals mined would most likely be a combination of precious metal, associated base minerals, and uranium. This would include, but is not limited to, gold, sf'ver, copper, zfnc. molybdenum, and lead. Exploration activity would disturb about 10 to 15 acres within the eastern edge of the nonsuitable area. This would resul t from minor excavations and road construction. The lO mineral acres administered by the State of Colorado are located in the nonsui tabl e acreage. If development of these acreages should occur, no disturbance is anticipated, since it is expected to be underground mining and the portals would be located outside the WSA. Recreation - The ',505 acres recommended as suitable for wilderness would be managed as an extension of the adjacent Forest Service Big Blue Wilderness. The area would continue to be used, as it is now, by hikers and hunters in a primitive backcountry setting. Recreational vehicle use 1s not permitted in the area I and no further closures would be necessary. Approximately 80 percent of the current estimated use of 1500 RUOs occurs within the suitable area. With designation this is expected to increase by about g percent annually. The nonsuitable portion of the area would be managed to maintain a primitive backcountry setting for hiking, hunting, nature study, and photography. Some mineral development is expected in areas of high mineral potential. Access routes would be placed to minimize visual and resource impacts. The area would remain closed to recreation vehicles. All Wilderness Alternative - The entire 4,710 acres of American Flats WSA would be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation. 24