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E. Access An adequate network of major highways serves the principal populated valleys. These highways are primarily designed for through inter-State traffic. In addition to the principal highways, the major urban and agricultural areas are laced by adequate road nets. Traffic beyond the limits of the urban and agricultural area is light with the local roads poor and generally unpaved. The large remote areas of back country which constitute a great deal of the public domain lands have many access problems. Public land is often without roads or public access. Many miles of new roads are needed to open up these lands to meet the demands from the increasing number of people who are discovering the recreational potential of the public lands. Roads to facilitate multiple use management are also needed. F. History of the general area For the purposes of this report, the archaeological data concerning early man's occupancy of the area, the southwestern culture complex, the initial exploratory expeditions, and Spanish mission settlement are necessarily ignored. Substantial non-Indian settlement in the study area was accomplished in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The discovery of gold in California and subsequently in Arizona led to the establishment of numerous mineral enterprises. Mining activities continued at an increasing tempo until the drop in silver prices in 1893. The level of mineral activity has fluctuated 10Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 13,871,104 byte