In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (Public Law 94-579, October 21, 1976), the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines have conducted mineral surveys on certain areas, which formally had been identified as "natural" and "primitive" areas prior to November 1, 1975.
The Wilderness Act (Public Law 88-577, September 3, 1964) and related Acts, r equire the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines to survey certain areas on Federal lands to determine their mineral resource potential. Results must be made available to the public and be submitted to the Administration and the Congress. These maps and reports present the results of a geological and mineral survey of the Baker-Cypress BLM Instant Study Area and Timbered Crater Forest Service Further Planning (RARE II) areas.
The study areas have no potential for metallic commodities as determined from spectrographic analyses of rocks (Peterson, 1980). Several localities within the study areas, however, contain stone that can be used for decorative purposes in building construction . The study areas may also have geothermal potential, but at this time quantitative data are unavailable.