WSP05732

• File Number: 8507
• Description: Rio Grande Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Date: 8/1/1982
• Title: Sangre De Christo Wilderness Study Area Report - San Isabel & Rio Grande National Forests part 1
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

The suitable alternative would place approximately
689 acres of patented lands on the Rio Grande
National Forest and 140 acres on the San Isabel
National Forest within the area to be designated as
wilderness. The suitable with boundary modification
alternative would reduce the included private lands
to 519 acres on the Rio Grande National Forest only.

The suitable alternative would isolate patented'
mining claims in the Black Canyon WSA (administered
by the Bureau of Land Management). The modified
boundary alternative excludes these claims.

The selection of' the suitable alternative would
preclude the Use of the capable forest land to
supply commercial forest products. Under the
suitable with modified boundary alternative, capable
forest land with slopes less than 45 percent with a
long term sustained yield of 2.8 MMBF per year would
be available. The unsuitable alternative would
allow utilization of this resource with a long term
sustained yield of 6.4 MMBF on capable forest lands
on slopes less than 45 percent.

The Sangre de Cristo WSA has the potential for
increasing water yield by 3,000 acre-feet per year
with the unsuitable alternative, and by 2,300
acre-feet per year with the suitable with modified
boundary alternative. The potentials for increase
are important for domestic and agricultural users
both locally and downstream.

The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
for Regions 7, 8, and 13 recommends that the Forest
Service place increased priority on picnicking,
developed camping, four-wheel drive use, and day
hiking on trails. Due to the steep terrain and
access, this WSA is not conducive to providing for
day Use picnicking or developed camping. The
suitable alternative will preclude some four-wheel
drive use on the WSAs administered by the Bureau of
Land Management and the limited use of the Como Lake
Road on the Rio Grande Forest. The suitable with
modified boundary alternative will allow existing
four-wheel drive use of parts of the Bureau of Land
Management WSAs. The unsuitable alternative will

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