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The longcterm sustained yield capacity (based on a managed forest) is 2,330,000 cubic feet (11,795,000 board feet) annually for the total area of capable forest land. Of this amount, 1,142,000 cubic feet (5,760,000 board feet) pertains to capable forest land on slopes less than 45 percent. This material could be in the form of sawlogs, fuelwood, or other roundwood products. There have been timber sale acti vi ties in some of the WSAs on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. However, all of the areas have been withdrawn from timber harvest because of unsuitability due to steep slopes and rocky terrain. 7. Clima te The climate of the study area is characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Temperatures have a wide seasonal variation with monthly averages from less than 200F in January to 650F Or more in August. At the higher elevations (above 10,000 feet), frost can occur during any month. Weather conditions can change dramatically with the movement of weather systems. For example, warm, sunny weather can change to cold, rainy, or snowy conditions with high winds in a few hours. Average Erecipitation in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Study Area varies both by elevation and by aspect on the eastern and western slopes of the mountain range. Generally, average precipitation on the western slope varies from 14 inches at lower elevations to 40 inches at the higher elevations. Average precipitation on the eastern slope varies from 26 inches at lower elevations to over 30 inches at higher elevations. Approximately 60 to 90 percent of the annual precipitation OCcurs as snowfall. The snow usually begins to melt in May but the areas are not completely free of snow until July. Snow usually returns in late October. i I I I I i , i I l , I I: ~ i: 8. Protection a. Air Quality The Wilderness Study Area, like other nonclassified National Forest System Lands, is 49 OCi2657