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<br />OOil725 <br /> <br />FISHING: Brook, rainbow and native trout are found in the Lower <br />Feeler Lake, Peeler Creek, Blue Lake and Oh-Be-Joyful Creek. <br /> <br />THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES: None has been identified. <br /> <br />CONFLICTS: The area contains private land -- including 50 acres of <br />patented mining claims -- over 200 unpatented mining claims, <br />mineral potential, and extensive motorized vehicle use. It would <br />be difficult to administer as wilderness and such a designation <br />would have a negative impact on the private rights held in the <br />area. The area also includes a well-established jeep trail which <br />is used for access to the Ragged wilderness. National Recreation <br />Area designation would not compromise the private property rights <br />involved, while allowing protection of the land. <br /> <br />WATER: The average flow at the confluence of the Oh-Be-Joyful and <br />Feeler Creeks is 13,200 acre feet. The town of Crested Butte has <br />considered using Oh Be-Joyful Creek as an alternative water source. <br />If this is done, a storage reservoir would have to be constructed, <br />with possible sites located inside the WSA boundary. There are no <br />active diversions of water, but there are three relatively senior <br />water rights existing in the drainage. These diversionary water <br />rights include the Columbine Ditch, the Mariposa Ditch and the <br />Mariposa Pipeline. <br /> <br />MINERALS: The WSA is on the west edge of the Colorado Mineral Belt <br />and is in a geologic setting favorable for economic mineral <br />deposits. It is in the Ruby Mining District. The Bureau of Mines <br />reports 50% of the area has substantiated and probable mineral <br />resource potential. There is surface evidence the WSA contains <br />lead, zinc, silver and gold-bearing sulfides. The potential for <br />buried molybdenum is very high. Economic coal deposits are also a <br />possibility. Three inactive mines and many prospects exist. About <br />84% of the area is covered with unpatented claims. There is <br />recorded mineral production of gold, silver, lead and zinc. The <br />Bureau of Mines reports that detailed mapping, geochemical sampling <br />and geophysical surveys are needed, and that inclusion of any of <br />this area will prevent exploration for and development of important <br />deposits of silver, lead-zinc resources and molybdenum resources. <br />LEASES: 4 oil and gas leases covering 4,375 acres. <br />CLAIMS: 200 unpatented mining claims, covering 3,105 acres, and 6 <br />patented claims encompassing 50 acres. <br /> <br />TIMBER: Of the total area, only 400 acres of spruce fir is <br />classified as commercial forest, and has a total standing volume of <br />about 2.74 million board feet. This is considered a marginal <br />resource because of the low volume, poor access and steepness of <br />the slopes. <br /> <br />GRAZING: There has been minimal recreational stock (horses) <br />grazing. since 1977 about 200 cattle have been using the WSA <br />during August through October each year. <br /> <br />RECREATION: The overall management emphasis is on providing <br />primitive non-motorized recreation. However, the area has a high <br />priority for trailhead development for access to the Ragged <br />wilderness. The area is also becoming popular for mountain biking. <br />