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