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

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

This chapter outlines environmental effects that would result
from implementing the alternatives under consideration. It is
based on the analysis of the affected environment discussed in
Chapter III. The first section describes environmental
consequences as they relate to individual resources, and the
second section deals with overall wilderness sUitability.

A, Physical and Biological Effects

1. Wilderness Resource

Adopting the suitable alternative would result in a
recommendation to add 222,882 acres to the National
Wilderness Preservation System.

The modified suitable alternative would result in a
recommendation to add 191,750 acres to the National
Wilderness Preservation System. The remainder of
the WSAs (31,132 acres) would be available for
nonwilderness uses.

The unsuitable alternative, if adopted, would
initially preclude adding the National Forest WSA or
the Bureau of Land Management WSAs to the National
Wilderness Preservation System,

Section B further discusses the wilderness resource
effects of the alternatives.

Regardless of the
wilderness attributes
until Congress makes
recommendation.

selected alternative, the
of the WSAs will be maintained
the final decision on the

2. Geology and Soils

The landforms and soils will not be affected
directly by any alternative. Vegetation management
activities with the modified suitable alternative
and increased potential for mineral activity, and
vegetation management activities with the unsuitable
alternative could impact the soils within project
areas. Mitigation measures would be specified to
maintain the impacts within acceptable limits,

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