WSP06482 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ou3323 III. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Wilderness designation is not without environmental impact on the eco- systems and upon man himself. These factors may be beneficial, detri- mental or both, and encompass physical, biological, social and economic effects. The primary restrictions which would result from the Wilder- ness Act would be prohibition of permanent structures, motorized access, road construction, and motorized equipment use except for emergency situations. An area is not excluded, however, from wilderness consideration because of established or proposed management practices which require the use of tools, equipment or structures where these practices are necessary for the health and safety of wilderness travelers, or for the protec- tion of the wilderness area. The Departmental guidelines for wilderness proposals specify that the manager will use the minimum tool, equipment or structure needed to successfully, safely and economically accomplish the objective. The guidelines further state economic factors will be considered the least important of the three criteria, and that the cho- sen tool or equipment should be the one that least degrades wilderness values temporarily or permanently. With consideration of the above guidelines and existing management practices, wilderness designation will have the following impacts on visitor use and development, research programs, park management and operation, historic resources, natural resources, and the economy. Visitor Use and Development The change from existing management and use will not be significant since it has involved nondevelopment practices that would continue whether or not wilderness classification is accomplished. These prac- tices are essential to maintain wilderness quality and to help assure the protection of natural values. Wilderness designation prohibits road construction, thus restricting backcountry access to those visitors physically capable. Future man- agement options for an additional road circulation system are pre- cluded. The master plan, however, proposes no new road construction. Access will continue to be by hiking and riding trails, totaling about 300 miles. Wilderness designation allows nonmotorized trail use and permits the construction of primitive trails for foot and horse travel. Thus, wilderness designation will have no effect on this use and devel- opment. Present management practices precluding hunting or removal of vegeta- tion will continue. 19 I I