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

Is the area needed for wilderness?

The Pike and San Isabel National
257,080 acres of wilderness. In
wildernesses with approximately
OCCur within 150 miles of this WSA.

Forests contain
addition, other
2,400,000 acres

However, wilderness is not readily available in
southeastern Colorado. The Collegiate Peaks and
Great Sand Dunes Wildernesses are both about 2\
hours driving time from Pueblo. The eastern
boundary of this WSA is about 1~ hours driving time
from Pueblo. The suitable or suitable with modified
boundary alternative could help provide additional
area in the vicinity.

The WSA is not needed to improve the representation
of landforms and ecosystems in the National
Wilderness Preservation System as those within the
Sangre de Cristo WSA are common to other existing
wildernesses. No threatened or endangered plant or
wildlife species have been identified, althv~gh
there is potential habitat for greenback cutthroat
trout. No vegetative or wildlife species have been
identified in the area that require a wilderness
environment for survival.

Conclusion: This area is needed for wilderness
because of a lack of wilderness in the southern part
of the Forest, although it is not needed to increase
the variety of landforms or ecosystems in the
National Wilderness Preservation System.

E. Preferred Alternative

Based on the analysis of capability, availability, and
need, and in the overall context of the Forest Plan, the
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Study Area is determined to
be suitable with boundary modification for addition to
the National Wilderness Preservation System.

This alternative also recommends
Bureau of Land Management WSAs
wilderness.

maj or portions of the
as being suitable for

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