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!F:";')-l "J .J"'J",," J CHAPTER TWO AFFECTED ENVlRONMENT Chapter Two provides a general description of the physical environment of the planning area and the resources which would be affected by the proposed resOUrce management plan. The information in this chapter is summarized from the Management Situation Analysis (MSA). The MSA and additional information and data are available for review at the BLM's Gunnison Resource Area OffIce at 216 North Colorado Street in Gunnison, Colorado 81320, or the Montrose District Office, 2505 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, Colorado 81401. A1tbough not affected by alternatives in this RMP/EIS, BLM's Wilderness Study Areas CNSAs) are briefly described in this chapter. The purpose of this chapter is to serve as base line data for identifying and analyzing the environmental consequences that would occur from implementing each of the five alternatives considered in this RMP/EIS. These impacts are described in Chapter Four. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS/CONCERNS The planning area is comprised of substantial portions of four Colorado counties; the counties are Montrose, Gunnison, Saguache, and Hinsdale, and these make up the Economic Study Area (ESA). Although a small portion of Ouray County is in the planning area, data in this component for Ouray County is not included because of tbe minimal resultant economic impacts to the entire planning area. The residents within and immediately adjacent to the ESA, along with the users and potential users of the area constitute the groups that would be affected by the proposed action and alternatives. Population trends and social attitudes of these groups are described in this section. POPULATION mENDS The total population for the ESA has increased about 37 percent over the 15-year period from 1970-1985. Gunnison and Hinsdale counties have experienced the largest increases in population. Montrose bas continued to have the largest population of the four counties in the ESA. The ESA population is projected to increase to 53,345 (77 percent) from 1970 to 2010. For the same period, Hinsdale County is projected to bave a 222 percent increase, the largest in the ESA; Gunnison County's population is expected to increase 140 percent, and Saguache County's population is expected to decline 20 percent over this same forty-year period. Table 2-1 shows population changes expected in the ESA for the period 1970 to 2010. SOCIAL ATTITUDES Lifestyles in the ESA and planning area are primarily rural with a high value placed on quality of life, independence, open space, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The people in the ESA are diverse in their attitudes and beliefs. The majority of the work force is employed in retail trade, government, tourist related business, agriculture, ranching and education. Interest and concerns regarding Federal land and resource management is high, especially for water use and water rights, grazing and wilcllife management, recreation opportunities, and preservation of the area in its natural state. Residents of some communities whose economy is seasonal, sucb as Lake City, believe new growth is needed to enhance community growth and stability. Other residents involved ill ranching value their rural lifestyle and available open space and may not place a high value on economic growth in other areas, especially if growth impacts their quality of life or other values. 2-1