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<br />nr-7r;I <br />u~~ ~~ <br /> <br />January 1990 <br /> <br />OH BE JOYFUL <br /> <br />ACREAGE: 5,500 in the Wilderness study Area <br /> <br />DESIGNATION RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />FOREST SERVICE ARMSTRONG <br />unsuitable 5,500 * <br />* proposed National Recreation Area <br /> <br />WIRTH <br />5,500 <br /> <br />FOREST: Gunnison <br /> <br />COUNTY: Gunnison <br />Land Area PUblic Land <br />sq. miles % of total <br />3,328 78 <br /> <br />Forest service <br />land % <br />61 <br /> <br />LOCATION: In the west-central part of the state, 125 air miles <br />southwest of Denver and 4 miles northwest of Crested Butte. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: This area is proposed to be desiqnated a National <br />Recreation Area. It is unsuitable for wilderness designation. This <br />area has high mineral potential, contains private land, and a large <br />number of mining claims. Further, an extensively used two mile <br />road bisects the area and provides access to the Ragged Wilderness. <br />Its unique qualities can be protected through designation as a <br />National Recreation Area without compromising existing rights and <br />uses. <br /> <br />GENERAL FEATURES: The area is a superb example of glacially-cut <br />alpine country: its valley is a long, narrow U-shape, with steep <br />walls on three sides. <br /> <br />SPECIAL FEATURES: Numerous small lakes are found at the bases of <br />the mountain walls. <br /> <br />LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: This area was studied during RARE II and was <br />listed as unsuitable for wilderness. It was designated a WSA by <br />the 1980 Colorado Wilderness Act. Extensive study by the forest <br />Service has determined this area to be unsuitable for wilderness <br />designation. <br /> <br />RELATION TO OTHER WILDERNESS: There are 4 wilderness areas within a <br />20 mile radius of the WSA, containing 596,372 acres, including the <br />463,900 added by the 1980 Colorado wilderness Act. The Maroon <br />Bells-Snowmass and Ragged Wildernesses are to the north, Collegiate <br />Peaks Wilderness is to the NE, and West Elk Wilderness is to the <br />southwest. <br /> <br />VEGETATION: The lower, north-facing slopes have sUb-alpine fir and <br />Engelmann spruce. The south-facing slopes and upper elevations <br />consist of alpine grass and shrub types. Riparian areas are found <br />along the Oh-Be-Joyful Creek, Peeler Creek, Peeler Lakes, Blue Lake <br />and in Democrat Basin. <br /> <br />WILDLIFE: Species in this area include mule deer and elk during <br />the summer, but there is no winter range. other mammals in the <br />area are pika, marmot, red squirrel, beaver, coyote, porcupine, <br />black bear, weasel, and fox. <br />