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Altel'II.1i:i"es Including the Proposed Action d~signation, the recreation management plan for the area call s for the maf ntenance of a primitive backcountry recreation setting. This would provide continuing opportunities for hiking, hunting, backpacking, nature study, and photography. No recreation vehicle use is currently permitted. so no additional closures would be necessary. D?....elopment oc;curring in area of high mineral potential would al ter the rect'eation setting. The area would remain closed to recreational vehicles. The current estimated l500 RUDs woul d increase by about 5 percent annually. Bill Hare Gulch (CO-030-085) ProP'!.5~<!_~c..tj~n_ _ J'l~_~i] !l~ness) The entire 370 acres of Bill Hare Gulch WSA would not be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation. Mineral Resource Development - All land within this study area would remain open to appropr"iation under the mining and leasing 1 aws. All of the WSA is cons i dered low in mineral potential and no development or exploration is anticipated. Recreation - The area will continue to be managed for a backcountry recreational setting under this alternative. The primitive foot/horse trail which passes through the study area and provides access to the Fores t Servi ce Bi g Bl ue Wi 1 derness will remain open. No recreational vehicle access 1s proposed. The primary recreation use would continue to be hikers and hunters passing through this area to reach the Big Blue. Use will likely increase from the current 50 RUDs to about another 50 RUDs and then rema i n consistent. All Wilderness Alternative The entire 370 acres of Bill Hare Gulch WSA would be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation. 26 Bill Hare Gulch M_~ n_e!~! _ ~,,-s_o~>:c.e__l1.~~! opment - Subject to valid existing rights, all lands within Bi 11 Hare Gulch WSA woul d be withdrawn from appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws. There are no State or private mineral acres within this alternative. The entire WSA is considered low in mineral potential and no development is expected. Recreation - The study area, if designated wilderness, would continue to be managed to provide a primitive backcountry recreational setting. The primitive foot/horse trail which passes through the study area and provi des access to the Forest Service Big Blue Wilderness would remain open. No vehicle access is presently allowed in the stUdy area so 110 vehicle closures would be necessary. The primary recreation use would continue to be hikers and hunters passing through this area to reach the Big Blue. Recreation use will probably double due to the availability of the new trail and then remain fairly consistent. Wilderness Manageability Alternative- Under this alternative 325 acres would be recommended as suitable for wilderness designation (see Map 1-2). The western border of the WSA is the Big Blue Wilderness Area. The only portion of the WSA which would be excluded would be the (S acres north of Bill Hare Gulch which is surrounded on three sides by private land. Mineral Resource Development - Subject to valid existing rights, all lands within 325 acres of the Bill Hare Gulch WSA recommended as sui tabl e woul d be wi thdrawn from appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws. There are no State or private mineral acres within the WSA. Both the suitable and nonsuitable acreage are considered low in mineral potential and no development or