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<br />Is the area available for'wilderness? <br /> <br />The availability analysis considered <br />of a wilderness resource compared to <br />for other resources that would be <br />wilderness designation. Significant <br />follows: <br /> <br />the value <br />the value <br />foregone <br />findings <br /> <br />and need <br />and need <br />under a <br />are as <br /> <br />Past mJ.lll,ng activity adj oining the area, current <br />claim staking, and estimated potential indicates <br />that the area has potential mineral resources. <br /> <br />Wilderness designation would withdraw the area from <br />mineral entry and leasing after December 31, 1983, <br />and any possible mineral discoveries after that date <br />would be foregone. The exercise of existing rights <br />may result in activities not compatible with <br />maintenance of the wilderness environment. <br />Nonwilderness management will result in the <br />potential mineral resources being available the same <br />as on other National Forest lands. <br /> <br />Local demand for fuelwood in the surrounding areas <br />of Leadville, Buena Vista, and Fairplay has <br />increased significantly as a result of increased <br />cost of petroleum products for heating. The <br />commercial forest land within the Buffalo Peaks WSA <br />can help meet this demand. <br /> <br />Buffalo Peaks WSA has the potential for an increased <br />water yield of an additional 2,810 acre-feet per <br />year. This potential increase is important for <br />domestic and agricultural users both locally and <br />downstream. <br /> <br />Recreation capacities under an unsuitable <br />alternative would provide a maximum capacity for <br />about 2,200 more persons at one time. In season <br />long actual use, recreation visitor days use <br />differences would not be significantly different. <br /> <br />Competing wildlife needs include maintenance and <br />improvement of winter range habitat and maintenance <br />of habitat diversity. Habitat improvement and <br />maintenance are required to meet the projected <br />wildlife needs on the Pike and San Isabel National <br /> <br />17 <br /> <br />I ~_'2813 <br />