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~J:;348 by r3Jsmg the alluvial water table, and some downstream flood control benefits by reducing peak flows from runoff events. Implementing erosion control projects that are designed to increase plant basal cover on uplands would indirectly result in improved watershed conditions. Allocation of additional forage on 306,548 acres to soil and water resources would result in increased vegetation cover to protect and enhance watershed conditions and reduce rates of erosion. Securing minimum stream flows on 113 miles of fisheries streams would result in water quantity protection being provided within fisheries to existing fish populations, and inadvertently would improve or protect hydrologic functions within adjacent riparian zones. Impacts from Locatable Minerals Management. If mineral development occurs on 670,198 acres in the Planning Area identified as open to mineral entry and location, increased sedimentation and physical damage to stream beds or banks could potentially result. These impacts would most likely occur somewhere within the 99,600 acres that have a high likelihood for the occurrence of locatable minerals. Physical disturbance to stream channels and increases in sedimentation would be greatest from placer mining operations. Heavy metal contamination of surface water is possible from mine water discharges and spoil-pile runoff. Heavy metal pollution is usually associated with mine drainage resulting from the oxidation of pyrite. The highest potential for this situation to occur is on 1,200 acres near Iris and midway. Underground mining operations could create the potential for ground water aquifer dewatering and mixing of water from different aquifers, diminishing both groundwater quantity and quality. Impacts from Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Management. No significant environmental impacts are anticipated from one or two wells. If any development were to occur surface-disturbing activities such as road and drill pad construction could result in increased sediment yields. Accidental ALTERNATIVE B IMPACTS fluid discharges during drilling operations, such as produced water, could contaminate surface waters and soils. Impacts from Saleable Minerals Management. Road construction, vehicle use, and mineral extraction would increase erosion and sediment production, and decrease soil productivity. Operations in close proximity to perennial water courses would have the potential effect of destabilizing and altering natural stream channels and disrupting the beneficial values of floodplains. Impacts from Riparian Zones Management. Developing new sources or relocating existing water sources to reduce utilization in riparian areas would result in the local hydrologic and soil conditions being improved. Impacts from Wildlife Habitat Management. Vegetation treatments, seedings and plantings designed to increase shrub densities on uplands and riparian areas would result in improved hydrologic and soil erosion conditions on these areas. Impacts from Livestock Grazing Management. Restricting total forage utilization, including livestock utilization, to maintain a minimum stubble height of 6 inches in riparian areas within sage grouse brood habitat, a minimum stubble height of 4 inches in riparian areas with a fishery stream, a minimum stubble height of 2 1/2 inches in all other riparian areas, and to maintain a 40-60% utilization rate on all uplands would stabilize and improve hydrologic and soil conditions. Eliminating continuous spring, summer, and fall livestock grazing, postponing livestock turnout to June 1 or until range readiness, and limiting fall trailing to four days would improve the soil and hydrologic condition of 7,635 acres of riparian/aquatic areas. Implementing livestock grazing IGMCs (minimum stubble heights and range readiness, limits on total forage utilization) would help establish lower erosion rates and improved watershed and stream channel stability. 4-15