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OQJ035 VIII. ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTION A. No Wilderness Classification Present management policy and practices are directed toward maintaining the area proposed for wilderness in its natural state, free of man's influences. While this effort may continue indefinitely the possibility always exists for a change in policy simply through administrative de- cision at the park level. This decision-making process is always under pressure from various forces related to economic development. Nonwilderness designation would allow higher density use of the area since modern mechanical equipment could be used for trail and campground maintenance and sewage disposal. This density of use could ultimately result in a loss of natural values. These actions could be considered either beneficial or detrimental, depending on whom or what is affected. Additional development would re- sult in greater visitor use of the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National I Park. The cost of backcountry maintenance would be less; the impact on revocation of the Bureau of Reclamation and private water rights would be eliminated; and park management would have its options of management continued. This development and use could result in resource deterior- ation or diminishment of the natural wildlands of the park. Without wilderness designation, some of the lands could be administered as primitive lands based upon the land classification system proposed by the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission and prescribed for application to federal lands by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Primitive or Class V lands are those that have remained pristine and undisturbed. There are no mining, domestic stock grazing, water im- poundments, or other intrusions of man to mar their character or de- tract from the solitude and quiet of the natural scene. The protection and maintenance of natural conditions and a wilderness atmosphere are the paramount management objectives. Class IV lands, which contain unique natural features, represent the most fragile and most precious values of a natural area. Included in this land classification are portions of the alpine tundra ecosystem. Human use which intrudes upon the scene or which damages or alters the scene is not permitted. The Research Natural Areas could be classified as natural environment areas or Class III land to serve important research needs of the park, as well as many independent researchers and institutions of higher learning. 31