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i CNAPTERTHREE Affected Environment historic cabins, dugouts, and ditches aze the main historic site types found in the valley (Pioneer 1994). The Parachute Site is located at an existing, inactive industrial site that has been disturbed by previous development. Large portions of the site aze occupied by non-historic structures or are currently paved. Any cultural or paleontological resources at the Pazachute Site would most likely have been disturbed, if not destroyed, by the previous development. 3.12 LAND USE AND RECREATION The purpose of the land use study was to identify and describe all major land uses in the Project Area that may be affected by the construction and operation of the proposed project. Land use information was compiled from maps and existing literature from federal, state, and local agencies; from field reconnaissance; and from interviews with planners from Rio Blanco and Garfield counties and the BLM. A 3.12.1 General Overview The Project Area lies within Rio Blanco and Garfield counties, Colorado. Public lands within the Project Area are administered by the BLM and CDOW. Private lands aze under the jurisdiction of Rio Blanco and Garfield counties. Land ownership and jurisdictions are shown on Figure 3.12-1. Major land uses on public lands include wildlife habitat, dispersed recreation (mostly hunting), livestock grazing, utility rights-of--way, and oil and gas and mineral developments. Major private land uses include agriculture (mostly livestock grazing and irrigated hay production), and oil and gas and mineral development. The management of federal lands and resources within the Project Area is directed and guided by the BLM's White River Resource Area Resource Management Plan (BLM 1997). Both Rio ' Blanco and Ga~eld counties have comprehensive or master plans, and zoning regulations which guide land uses in those counties. There are no Special Recreation Management Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers or major recreational facilities within the Project Area. ' 3.12.2 Piceance Site The Piceance Site includes a lease area encompassing all or portions of Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, ' 19, 20, 21, 28 and 29, Tl S, R97W, in Rio Blanco County. The site is on an existing sodium lease issued by the BLM, and is located entirely on BLM land. Mineral extraction is an approved resource use on BLM land in this azea. Rio Blanco County zoning maps show the lease site to be within an azea zoned as agriculture. Industrial facilities such as the proposed project are allowed by special use permit in areas with agricultural zoning. Existing land uses in the lease area include wildlife habitat, hunting, livestock grazing, and mining. American Soda is currently conducting exploration activities on the site, and existing facilities include test wells, buildings, and an evaporation pond. Prior to the initiation of exploration activities on this lease, there were no vehicular nails in the azea east of the Yellow Creek Jeep Trail, west of the Cultural and Paleontological Resources 3-49