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Show Consequences of this alternative could include the elimination of range improvements that are unnecessary or of marginal benefit, and mitigation of potentially severe water resource impacts from future projects. III. K. 3. Recommended course of action. Alternative B, which would establish water resource management guidelines for grazing accompanied by monitoring programs, is recommended. Rangeland water developments would receive consistent evaluation under published standards. Adherence to standards would ensure consistency with recreation area and National Park Service management objectives for backcountry waters, and improve the management of an important natural resource. 111. L. Mineral Extraction II I. L. I. Statement of the problem. Prior to the establishment of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ( October 27, 1972), its lands were open to mineral entry under the U. S. mining laws, and federally owned oil and gas rights were available for leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 as amended. The enabling legislation withdrew the recreation area from mineral entry but authorized mineral leasing. In 1981, the National Park Service promulgated leasing regulations for the five NPS units in which federal mineral leasing is authorized. National Park Service consent is required for issuing mineral leases and approving site- specific operations. In 1979, a General Management Plan ( NPS 1979) was approved for the recreation area that subdivided the area into four management zones: Natural ( 668,670 acres), Recreation and Resource Utilization ( RRU) ( 557,890 acres), Development ( 19,270 acres), and Cultural ( 25 acres). In 1980, a Mineral Management Plan ( MMP) was approved for Glen Canyon. This plan limited the leasing of mineral resources to the RRU zone with the exception of the lake surface and adjacent lands that can easily be seen from Lake Powell. These excepted areas constitute the immediate scenic setting for visitors using Lake Powell. Under the MMP, approximately 373,000 acres are available for leasing within the recreation area. When applications are received for these lands, they are evaluated for conflict with other purposes of the recreation area, including their effect on water resources. If the conflicts are not found to be significant, the lease may be issued. There are no patented mining claims in the NRA; two unpatented claims have been recorded. Federal minerals normally subject to claim under the mining law of 1872 are leasable in the NRA. Twelve hundred acres of private oil and gas rights at the mouth of Halls Creek are partially inundated by lake waters. There are 82 state section inholdings encompassing 51,000 acres ( including surface and subsurface interests) in the NRA. The state has issued 39 mineral leases for 28,500 acres, some of which are in areas closed to minerals disposition in the MMP. No plans 54 |