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~ , • Present opportunities for primitive, semi-primitive non-motorized, and semi- primitive motorized dispersed recreation. • Serve as bulwarks against the spread ofnon-native invasive plant species. • Offer reference areas for study and research. • Consist ofnatural-appearing landscapes with scenic quality. • Hold traditional cultural properties and sacred sites. T'he project area is adjacent to an ephemeral tributary of Deep Creek, which joins Raven Gulch and then the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Water in the North Fork is used for irrigation purposes downstream. The GVB development would not affect a drinking water source. According to the wildlife analysis, this project would not affect TES, or affect the biological diversity of the area (see Section 3.A). Use of this area since has allowed motorized recreation, and will continue to offer semi-primitive motorized dispersed recreation. Past disturbance in the area has introduced non-native plant species, which are being mitigated as a result of on-going monitoring efforts. The azea currently is not used for organized study or research. As discussed in the GMUG Oil and Gas EIS (1993), [he Coal Mesa portion of the IRA has the appearance of having been modified by human influence. Additional coal exploration activity since 1993 has further modified the are by human influence. According to the cultural resources surveys ofthe area, the likelihood of cultural resources is extremely low. Based on this evaluation and past evaluations of the roadless character, this area does not possess key criteria for roadless character. Thus the GVB development would not appreciably change the character currently present. Revisiting the Roadless character analysis from the GMUG Oil and Gas EIS for the Coal Mesa are of the West Elk IRA shows the following: • Natura] Integrity: The west half of Coal Mesa is still ]eased for coal mining, and active mining is occurring.. Additional leases have been approved since 1993. About 10 miles associated with coal exploration drilling have been built. FR 711 and it's spurs are still open. There has been continued activity that lras further disrupted the natural integrity of the west Coal Creek Mesa area. • Apparent Naturalness: The Coal Creek Mesa area has been further modified by human influence since 1993. • Remoteness: The Oil and Gas EIS showed that because of the existing road system, the Coal Creek Mesa area was not remote. This remains true. • Solitude: The Oil and Gas EIS showed that there was little opportunity for solitude within the Coal Creek Mesa area because of the roads associated with coal exploration drilling. Continued coal exploration activity since 1993 has further contributed [o the low opportunity for solitude. • Special Features: None were listed, no new ones have been added. • Manageability/Boundaries: The Oil and Gas EIS identified that the Roadless area had been broken into small segments by roads. Con[intted activity has increased this. The EIS further identified that only the 3A 23