Exploration geologists, though by nature unbounded optimists, might profit by a realistic investigation of the factors which may constrict future mineral resource development in the Rockies. The two major factors which adversely affect present and future development of each mineral in a different manner are land availability and the additional cost factors for environmental protection.

The amount of land available for mineral exploration and development will be curtailed substantially by present and future land withdrawals, highways, and growing urbanization. In Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, specific land withdrawals prohibit or seriously curtail mineral development. The present wilderness area encompasses 9,996,000 acres with more being proposed at each hearing. National Park and Monument lands contain 6,446,000 acres with significant additions proposed at several places. The Department of Defense controls 10,066,000 acres. Additional scenic and other mineral withdrawals are being proposed with increasing frequency. Highway right-of-ways have little effect on oil exploration, but prohibit all open pit mineral extraction and can s riously affect underground mining. In Colorado, for example, 787,000 acres are covered by public roads. Each mile of interstate highway system utilizes approximately 40 acres of land surface. Growing urbanization, though not a problem everywhere, definitely curtails mineral development in some areas. It specifically affects sand and gravel, stone aggregate, and industrial minerals.

The mounting concern for the mineral industries' real and fancied degradation of our environment is creating a proliferation of new laws and regulations. Each of

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these adds an incremental cost to mineral exploration and development. Water pollution control forces deeper surface casing, pit linings, liquid effluent treatment, and surface-water diversion around many mineral operations. Land restoration includes land leveling, erosion protection, and revegetation. Refuse or tailings disposal, likewise, may require expensive treatment facilities, extensive materials handling, stabilization techniques, and permanent revegetation. Air pollution control may require dust control, stack devices, and prevent the burning of waste. Operators not only face physical problems, but must also consider aesthetics from the viewpoint of ardent environmentalists. The Environmental Quality Act of 1969 can be invoked for any "significant" operation that affects fede al lands or agencies. As an example of state control, Wyoming has prepared a 99-page booklet listing its environmental control laws. Determining which state or federal law or regulation applies can be difficult in itself. The mineral industry faces not only the expenses of meeting minimum statutory requirements, but most enlightened operators face even greater costs in their voluntary efforts to be good citizens. Public hearings and citizen-sponsored lawsuits challenging any operation with significant, real or imagined, environmental impact will increase.

Without extensive effort to understand and plan for future problems of land availability and the costs of environmental protection, those problems will limit seriously Rocky Mountain mineral potential.

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