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003707 WILDLIFE: Large grassy parks and willow fields on Cannibal Plateau, Calf Creek Plateau, and Mesa Seco are valuable elk summer range. Some winter range occurs along Cebolla Creek. FISHING: excellent cutthroat Deer Creek, Brush Creek and North Fork of fisheries principally stocked with brown, trout. Fishing pressure is light. Mill Creek have brook and THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES: None has been identified. CONFLICTS: Many recreational users are concerned about the designation of the Mesa Seco area because of historic snowmobiling and other motorized recreational uses, and the important economic impacts these activities have on the surrounding communities. Local recreation-based economic development could be hampered in the communities if they are unable to develop these unique recreation opportunities. This issue is particularly important to counties like Hinsdale where the local tax base is severely limited by the extensive federal land holdings. Motorized access to manage grazing permits would be prohibited. A wind-driven mechanism currently used to introduce oxygen into Devils Lake to reduce fish kill would be precluded by the designation. oil and gas leases located in the Mesa Seco region have been avoided by the proposed boundary. WATER: Two adjudicated water rights have been identified in the southeastern part of the area. Most of the area lies at the headwaters of Cebolla creek, with a small portion of drainage into the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The area produces an estimated 42,000 acre feet of water annually. The potential for water development is low. MINERALS: Offsite mineral intrusions are evident. However, most of the plateau has a very low potential for locatable minerals and an extremely low potential for oil and gas. The southwest portion of the FPA could contain locatable minerals and the north portion of Slumgullion Earthflow has geologic evidence for potential minerals, however Slumgullion is withdrawn from mineral entry as a National Natural Landmark. The Bureau of Mines reports the south rim near Slumgullion has high potential for molybdenum and precious metals. LEASES: 2 oil and gas leases are located in the Mesa Seco region. CLAIMS: 2 unpatented mining claims have been identified. TIMBER: The area contains 17,410 forested acres containing Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir and aspen. The area contains an estimated 175 million board feet of old sawtimber. GRAZING: There are 3 stock ponds, some small scattered dams, and .65 miles of fence used for grazing purposes. The FPA contains 2 cattle and horse allotments and 2 sheep and goat allotments. current grazing use is 4,716 animal unit months on 10,705 acres of suitable summer pasture. RECREATION: The southern part of the area (Mesa Seco) is a popular snowmobile area with loop trails. The area also contains about 20 miles of trail of which 8 are open to motorized vehicles and mountain bikes. The Lake City Snowmobile Club currently uses the area under a special-use permit.