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ODG026 If new trails are required, it is estimated that construction costs would increase three to five times as a result of wilderness designa- tion since mechanical tools could not be utilized. Other backcountry management facilities and practices involve 59 exist- ing primitive campsite areas and sanitary control points, two ranger stations, and a short section of underground telephone lines within the proposed wilderness. Some of the primitive campsites contain vault or pit type toilets. The vault type toilets are serviced by helicopter which either hovers over the site or sometimes lands during replacement of fibp.rglass inserts. In 1972, one trip each week was made to remove human wastes. Although the helicopter introduces a significant audio disturbance into the wilderness, without periodic evacuation of the vaulted toilets, visitor use would otherwise require severe restric- tions. A special provision in the designating legislation is recom- mended to provide for the continued use and maintenance of the vault toilets and other structures involved with management of the wilderness. The underground telephone line from Longs Peak Campground to Jim's Grove is also recommended for continued use. As a result, wilderness designation is not expected to produce an impact on this segment of backcountry management. Research Programs Although not intended to curtail research, wilderness designation does prohibit permanent structures or facilities. Portions of Specimen Mountain (9,056 acres), West Creek (9,043 acres), and Paradise Park (5,760 acres) lying within the proposed wilderness have been established as research natural areas (see Land Classification Map). These areas are related to a worldwide system of natural areas for scientific and educational purposes which has been established by the International Biological Program. Preclusion of permanent structures or facilities may curtail research projects which require such support. Current research projects in Rocky Mountain National Park include forest succession, forest fire ecology, elk and deer population ecolog~, vari- ous bird and small mammal studies, basic geology, and backcountry man- agement. One specific impact on research would be the preclusion of permanent research facilities which are mandatory for winter studies of the tundra; severe winter storms which often occur without notice result in the need for shelter. There are ten snow survey courses within the park, five of which are located within the proposed wilderness. These courses are managed by the Soil Conservation Service under a cooperative snow survey program. Since the courses do not utilize permanent research installations nor require motorized access, wilderness designation will have no adverse effect on the existing program. 22