2014-09-15_REVISION - M2007044 (3)

Home Browse Search

Beneficial impacts may result from increased jobs, increased activity for local businesses, and increased tax revenue as described in Chapter 4 of the EA. Beneficial impacts may also result from water source control measures which would be implemented as described in Chapter 2 Section 2.2.2.9 of the EA. Comments received during public scoping on the Preliminary EA are summarized in Appendix A of the Final EA. Responses are provided to comments and where appropriate, changes were made between the Preliminary EA and the Final EA based on public comment. 2. Public health and safety. Public health and safety concerns have been evaluated directly under "Human Health" and indirectly under "Air Quality". Impact to public health is expected to be minimal and therefore not significant based on the protective measures described in the EA. 3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area. Cultural and historic resources are considered to be unique characteristics of the geographic area; however, there would be no direct impact to these resources as a result of the Proposed Action. Indirect impacts to these resources would be mitigated through protective measures described in the EA resulting in no significant impact. Other unique characteristics of a geographic area may include wild and scenic rivers, wilderness areas, Native American religious concerns, prime and unique farmlands and areas of critical environmental concern. None of these exist in the Whirlwind Project Area and therefore, there is no effect to these resources. 4. Degree to which effects are likely to be highly controversial. Although there has been an expression of opposition to the Proposed Action in public comments on the Preliminary EA, there is no identified substantial dispute within the scientific community about the effects of the Proposed Action. 5. Degree to which effects are highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks. Effects described in the EA are not identified as unique, unknown, or highly uncertain. Uranium mining has occurred previously in the project area and this knowledge allows for anticipation of effects with a high degree of certainty. 6. Consideration of whether the action may establish a precedent for future actions with significant impacts. The Proposed Action does not establish a precedent for future BLM actions with significant effects. All future actions would require further NEPA analysis. 7. Consideration of whether the action is related to other actions with cumulatively significant impacts—which include connected actions regardless of land ownership. No individually or cumulative significant impacts were identified for the Proposed Action. Cumulative effects are identified in Chapter 5 of the EA. 8. The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways, structures, or other objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or historical resources. The project will not adversely affect districts, sites, Whirlwind Mine FONSI 2