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• semi-arid climate prevailing in the area, detailed in Section 2.04.8, precludes extensive <br />surface flows and contributes to the highly variable surface water quality found in the permit <br />and adjacent areas. <br />Capability of the Land to Snort a Variety of Uses <br />Physical and social constraints at the present time severely limit the variety of uses suitable <br />for lands within the permit area. <br />Alternative Land Uses <br />Because of the hydrologic and soil constraints, there are serious limitations that might be <br />expected if the present land uses of rangeland, pastureland and cropland are changed to other <br />uses. <br />Aside from edaphic and topographic limitations, residential, industrial, or commercial <br />development appear unlikely due to the remoteness of the permit area from the population <br />centers of Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. Historic population trends in the area reflect a <br />centralization of population in the towns of Craig and Meeker. <br />Recreational opportunities exist in the permit and adjacent areas, primarily involving the <br />hunting of deer and elk. In recent years, land owners adjacent to the permit area have been <br />leasing their lands to hunters in increasing numbers. This trend may continue on lands <br />adjacent to the permit area, but the possibility for recreation on the permit area, as long as <br />mining activities are on-going, is highly unlikely due to problems involved with safety and <br />potential vandalism. <br />Aside from rangeland and limited amounts of cropland and pastureland, there are no viable <br />economic changes in land use that can be made. <br />Previous Underground Mining <br />As mentioned earlier, underground mining activities of limited surface effect were carried on <br />in the permit area from 1914 until 1974. Historical information regarding this previous <br />underground <br /> <br />2.04.3-4 <br />