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C'j" ,.., 1:;3 I~ "J L~..." , vegetation removal occurs from potential development, and a loss of actual recreation opportunities on affected lands would occur. IMPACTS ON OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE SCENIC VALUES IN SEGMENT A, LAKE FORK OF THE GUNNISON RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY CORRIDOR IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Impacts from the Recommendation. In lhis alternative, the 13.3 mile Segment A of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River from Sloan Lake to Wager Gulch WOULD BE RECOMMENDED as being suitable for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS). The resultant potential and significant impacts to the outstandingly remarkable scenic values (values) that qualify this segment to be eligible for inclusion are discussed below. Interim. management in Alternative B would protect values from all discretionary actions that might result in adverse impacts that could cause these values not to be present at the time Congress decides upon designation or non-designation. If eventually designated into the NWSRS by Congress, the segment would be recognized and managed under the 'recreation' classification (assuming this classification would be adopted in designation legislation). Management actions would be developed to address permanent river management needs, and would be incorporated into the Alpine ACEC Management Plan, or a separate plan for the segment. Impacts from Locatable Minerals Management. If mineral activity occurs on federal mineral estate on about 2,ff7S acres not currently withdrawn or proposed to be withdrawn witbin the segment in this alternative, values would be altered. The alteration would occur on lands located outside tbe existing 'Loop Road' withdrawal C-OI25423 or tbe proposed American Basin ACEC (proposed to also be withdrawn). Impacts would be greatest if vegetation removal or land form changes occur. The lands that would not be withdrawn have a high potential for the ALTERNATIVE B IMPACTS occurrence of locatable minerals. Required reclamation would limit impacts to the short-term. Impacts from Wildlife Habitat Managemeot. Eliminating domestic sheep grazing 00 bighorn sheep habitat to enhance the species would in turn result in a more oaturally appearing landscape on 1,915 acres in the segment. Impacts from Recreation Management. Increased visitation over the life of the plan of about 20% under this alternative, in addition to that in Alternative A, would result in some slightly greater impacts to scenic values along the road and river, primarily as a result of physical impacts caused by increased numbers of people and motorized vehicular use off designated routes, and the actual increase in the presence of vehicles and people. Scenic impacts from OHV use off designated routes would be mitigated by implementing patrols and other actions in the management plan for the Alpine Triangle Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA). Values would receive special management attention as a result of being located within the Alpine ACEC (proposed). Plans of Operation would be required relative to locatable mineral activity as a result of ACEC designation also, which would permit more time and design input into required reasonable reclamation. Impacts from Wilderness Study Area Management. Impacts in this alteroative are analyzed assuming that WSA status would oat be in effect, in the eveot Coogress acts 00 and decides oat to designate any part of any WSA as wilderoess. If any part of Segmeot A is contained within any designated wilderness, the lands therein would be managed as wilderness. Refer to Impacts from WSA Management in the discussion of impacts of Alternative A (Continuation of Current Management) for impacts applicable to all alternatives, as long as WSA status applies. Impacts from Rights-of-Way Management. Managing the lands as a rights-of-way avoidance area would result in few surface-disturbing activities from this land use. Rights-of-way are now excluded in the 'Loop Road" withdrawal. 4-25