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from the Menefee coal. <br />3. Vegetation <br />Some minimal impacts to vegetation would result from the development of the surface facilities. <br />This will require the excavation of surface soils and the removal of the vegatated cover. All surface <br />excavation will not be on Federal Land. No indirect or cumulative impacts have been identified. <br />4. Wildlife <br />Some minimal direct impacts to wildlife will result from the development of the surface facilities. <br />The application indicates that operations are intended to be continued at approximately the same <br />production level. Truck traffic and human activity would continue to affect wildlife and big game <br />species, particularly during the winter months. Wildlife, particularly wintering mule deer, may be <br />affected by truck traffic on CR 120 and Colorado State Hwy. 140 as road killed wildlife along these <br />roads has been reported to the BLM. <br />5. Land Use <br />The proposed action would facilitate development of coal on 1304.51 acres of federal coal. <br />Development of the coal would diminish federal interest in these lands with a corresponding <br />economic return in the form of bonus bid and production royalties. Approximately 5-10 acres of <br />state land will be used to service the mine. No indirect or cumulative impacts have been identified. <br />6. Transportation <br />With a production rate of approximately 300,000 tons per year, there will continue to be an estimated <br />18 to 28 coal trucks (30 ton trucks) traveling County Road 120 east of the King Coal mine site and <br />Colorado State Highway 140 south of Hay Gulch. These trucks typically operate each day for <br />approximately 350 days of the year over the life of the mine. Truck traffic will continue to cause <br />deterioration of county roads and highways. The applicant must meet State and County laws <br />concerning road and highway use. <br />7. Socioeconomics <br />Under this alternative the King Coal mine would continue to operate <br />for an additional 25.3 years and approximately 30-61 people would <br />remain employed for those additional years. Over $5,300,000 <br />annually in payroll would continue to be spent for goods and <br />services in the area. Federal, State and local governments would <br />continue to share approximately $275,000 in tax revenues and <br />$132,000 in royalties. <br />20 <br />