Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 3.djvu/621

 PUBLIC LAW 96-560—DEC. 22, 1980

94 STAT. 3265

Public Law 96-560 96th Congress An Act To designate certain National Forest System lands in the States of Colorado, South Dakota, Missouri, South Carolina, and Louisiana for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes.

Dec. 22, 1980 [H.R. 5487]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, National Forest TTTT F T

System lands, designations.

STATEMENT OF FINDINGS AND POLICY

SEC. 101. (a) The Congress finds that— (1) many areas of undeveloped National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado possess outstanding natural characteristics which give them high values as wilderness and will, if properly preserved, contribute as an enduring resource of wilderness for the benefit of the American people; (2) the Department of Agriculture's second Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE II) of National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado and the related congressional review of such lands have identified areas which, on the basis of their landform, ecosystem, associated wildlife, and location, will help to fulfill the National Forest System's share of a quality National Wilderness Preservation System; and (3) the Department of Agriculture's second Roadless Area Review and Evaluation of National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado and the related congressional review of such lands have also identified areas which do not possess outstanding wilderness attributes or which possess outstanding energy, mineral, timber, grazing, dispersed recreation and other values and which should not now be designated as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System but should be available for nonwilderness multiple uses under the land management planning process and other applicable laws. (b) The purposes of this title are to— (1) designate certain National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, in order to promote, perpetuate, and preserve the wilderness character of the land, protect watersheds and wildlife habitat, preserve scenic and historic resources, and promote scientific research, primitive recreation, solitude, physical and mental challenge, and inspiration for the benefit of all the American people, to a greater extent than is possible in the absence of wilderness designation; and (2) insure that certain other National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado be available for nonwilderness multiple uses. SEC. 102. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act, 16 USC 1131 the following lands in the State of Colorado are hereby designated as "°*®-

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