At least one proposed area contains lands under the jurisdiction of other government entities and designation will require action from all of these entities. Quiet and solitude were the rule rather than the exception. Today one dirtbike or snowmobile, roaring up a canyon or watershed, steals the solitude from all quiet users in the area and the motor rider may not even know the quiet users are present. All people are welcome into these quiet use areas. The sense of peace and healing that comes with solitude and silence is methodically being taken away in every form of our existence.
Mechanized noise can injure psyche just as second hand smoke injures the lungs.
These proposed 'Quiet Use Areas' are characterized by a predominantly natural environment with moderate evidences of the sights and sounds of man. Such evidences usually harmonize with the natural environment. The existing and historic character of these areas is a backdrop of pristine forested mountain lands with limited development. The preservation of this character is of utmost importance if the value of these areas as recreational resources is to be retained. The' intrinsic value of the rural mountain character within the Upper Arkansas Valley was popularly supported by the respondents to a recent Chaffee County Planning Survey which indicated that they would like to see a more active role of government in protecting the environment.