SALMO-PRIEST WILDERNESS STUDY AREA, WASHINGTON AND IDAHO.

Geologic, geochemical, geophysical and mines and prospects evaluation of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness study area in Washington has yielded no evidence of significant mineral-resource potential. Although gold was detected in trace amounts to moderate anomalies in scattered stream-sediment concentrates it has probably been derived from small and localized occurrences and does not constitute a resource. As a result of this study the area appears to have little promise for the occurrence of metallic mineral resources, energy minerals, fossil fuels, and geothermal resources. Nonmetallic mineral resources, notably shale, are abundant, but adequate supplies exist outside the study area.