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on~711 CONFLICTS: The Forest Service has identified 800 acres of mineral estate that is privately owned in and around the center of the study area. Expanding the wilderness into areas outside the study area leads to substantial and significant conflicts with mining claims, water rights, and planned and proposed timber harvests. Further, the Manzapares Lake area and areas to the south have well established and maintained motorized recreation trails which have not compromised the natural beauty of the terrain, but this recreation would be lost if the area is designated wilderness. WATER: This area averages about 11,000 acre feet annually, with excellent water quality. Most of the water from the area flows into the Encampment River, although a portion (25%) of the east side goes into the North Platte drainage. A Forest Service well supplies water to the Big Creek campground near Big Creek Lakes. If that source is exhausted the united states will seek the right to drill upstream to guarantee a water supply to the campground. The boundary is drawn to avoid this conflict. MINERALS: About 5,000 acres (62%) of the area have moderate to high potential for locatable minerals. However, there has been little mining activity in the past. Three mining claims are located near Big Creek Falls. LEASES: No leases exist. CLAIMS: There are 3 unpatented mining claims just outside the southeastern portion of the study area. TIMBER: About 5,830 acres (72%) is forested with predominantly spruce fir. Practically all is sawtimber size class, with an existing timber volume of 67.1 million board feet. Expanding the wilderness area to land outside of the study area would have a negative impact on planned timber sales. The Forest Service indicates there are 20,018 acres of land that are tentatively suitable for timber harvest with a standing volume of 228.1 million board feet. Of that, 7,258 acres are considered "suitable" for timber harvest by the Forest Service. The South Fork drainage is managed to improve water yield. Vegetation treatment and timber harvesting have helped produced one of the highest volume watersheds in the state. The area is excluded from designation so management can continue. GRAZING: There has been little grazing activity except for recreation horses in the past several years. Grazing conditions are considered good. RECREATION: A variety of recreation opportunities occur in the area including camping, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking. There are about 8 miles of trails which are extensively used. Any expansion of the wilderness designation outside the study area to the west or south would eliminate substantial motorized recreation areas - recreation which helps local economies. OTHER: The integrity of the wilderness concept could be compromised if the area is expanded substantially. Expanding the current Mount Zirkel wilderness to the edge of developed areas, roads and timber harvests would not provide for a "wilderness experience". The area can be adequately protected by designation of a reasonable amount of wilderness, allowing the rest of the area to be properly managed for wise multiple use.