2023-12-18_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A

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• Recreation Recreational activities in the Twentymile Park area consist primarily of hunting. Within the proposed permit area proper, public recreational activity is extremely limited as the majority of the area is comprised of private or state leased land. Limited big game hunting by local land- owners or those with landowner permission, does occur, particularly in the foothills along the western edge of the proposed permit area. In addition, hunting of sage grouse, mourning dove, and sharp- tailed grouse may also occur within the proposed permit area. Big game species hunted include elk and nmle deer. Table 4, Big Game Hunting Summary for Game Management Unit No. 13, 1979 to 1983 presents big game hunting statistics for the period 1979 through 1983. Land Capability The capability of the lands within the proposed permit area to support a variety of alternate land uses was determined by evaluating physical, environmental, and socio- economic factors as well as historic trends and uses. Historically, the only feasible land uses within the proposed permit area have been those that are found there presently. Lands temporarily used for mining have been returned to their premining condition (pastureland). The SCS Land Capability Classification System has been used in preparation of this permit revision application for interpreting suitability of soils for agricultural uses. This system is based on the probable interactions between the kinds of soils and alternative systems of management. Soil properties relative to their limitations, risk of damage, and response to treatment are the principal characteristics dictating the capability of an area to support a variety of uses. Within this system, soil types are grouped at three levels: class, subclass and unit. Capability of the Land to Support a Variety of Uses • Physical and social constraints at the present time severely limit the variety of uses suitable for lands within the proposed permit area. The area is too remote to serve as high density residential land, manufacturing, or other land uses normally associated with large population centers. Other possible land uses are also precluded due to the site's remoteness, private ownership of the land, or the lack of unique physical characteristics. At present, existing land uses must be considered the only practical use and the highest and best use of the land as borne throughout the area's history. Alternative Land Uses According to SCS interpretations, there are serious limitations that might be expected if the present dominant land uses of rangeland, pastureland and cropland were changed to other uses. Conversion to residential or industrial uses would be severely restricted due to the poor soil and foundation characteristics resulting from the shallow soils, steep slopes and high clay content in many of the soils. This is evidence by the information contained in Tale 5, Potentials and Soil Limitations for Selected Uses of Area Soils. Aside from the edaphic and topographic limitations, residential, industrial, or commercial development appear unlikely due to the remoteness of the proposed permit area from the population centers of the county. Historic population in the towns of Hayden, Steamboat Springs and Oak Creek (USDI, Bureau of Land fvtanagentent, 1977, page 11 -93). Increased recreational opportunities are possible for the Twentymile Park Area, particularly involving the hunting of deer and elk. Opportunities for improved wildlife habitat within and adjacent to the permit area following •reclamation are feasible, as indicated in the discussion under Rule 2.05.6(2) below. 'file Checkerboard pattern of land ownership in the area tends to diminish the effectiveness of measures employed to improve wildlife habitat. Improvement of the fisheries potential of the proposed permit area is doubtful, due to the low stream flows during the summer, and high sediment yields naturally occurring in the spring runoff. MR 97 -154 2.04 -5 Revised 10/02/97