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fl"'."~l ,J., .,... -' J....."...., '-' IMPACTS ON OIL, GAS, AND GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Impacts from Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Management. Managing 674,164 acres of federal oil and gas estate as open to the leasing of fluid minerals would make these resources a~ailable. About 52,754 acres not a~ailable would result in little impact to the oil and gas program because of little likelihood for the occurrence of these resources. IMPACTS ON SALEABLE MINERALS IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Impacts from Saleable Minerals Management. Permitting the disposal of mineral materials on 579,309 acres of federal mineral estate would more than satisfy the current demand of 12,500 cubic yards annually and meet the anticipated future demand. Not permitting the disposal of saleable mineral materials 00 149,258 acres of federal mineral estate would not result in any significant impact due to the amount of materials which would remain available. IMPACTS ON SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Impacts from SoU and Water Resou..es Management. The implementation of the 'Long Gulch Sediment Control and Riparian Habitat Improvement Project' would reduce downstream sediment yields by up to 300 tons per year, increase vegetation production for watershed protection, improve the hydrologic functions of the riparian wne by raising the alluvial water table, and provide some downstream flood control benefits by reducing peak flows from runoff events. Required mitigation to minim'7" soil disturbance from all surface-disturbing activities would decrease potential losses of soil productivity. ALTERNATIVE D IMPACTS Erosion control projects primarily designed to increase plant basal cover on uplands would indirectly result in improved watershed conditions. Securing minimum in-stream flows where appropriate would protect water quality and hydrologic functions. Allocation of additional forage to soil and water resources would result in increased ~egetation cover to protect and enhance watershed conditions and reduce rates of erosion. Maintaining or reclaiming existing water source developments which are not in good conclition would reduce erosion and sedimentation. Impacts from Locatable Minerals Management. If mineral development occurs on 649,645 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 101,550 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 llSually associated with mine drainage resulting from the oxidation of pyrite. The highest potential for this situation to occur is on 1,200 acres primarily in the central portion of the planning area, near Iris and Midway. Underground mining operation 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 construCtiOD could result in increased sediment yields. Accidental fluid discharges, such as produced water, etc., during drilling operations could contaminate surface waters and soils. 4-41