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<br />Daub & Associates, Inc. Page 3-8 2015 NS Mine Plan Modification <br />1/5/2016 Section 3 General Site Conditions <br />The other two newly recorded paleontological localities found in 2014 contained <br />turtle shell fragments. Both sites were field evaluated as significant. These localities <br />are located 186 meters from the nearest proposed drill hole center and will not be <br />adversely affected. <br />Previously recorded paleontological resources in the Project Area include fossilized <br />finds of two possible uintathere bone fragments, titanothere skull fragments and two <br />turtle scutes (shell plate). They were isolated finds having been eroded from other <br />locations. These finds were not considered significant because they were badly <br />weathered. Current proposed disturbance should not affect any known <br />paleontological resources. Additional paleontological investigations will be <br />undertaken as required, prior to disturbance of any areas where bedrock is <br />encountered. <br />3.4. Scenic or Natural Attractions <br />The general area of the project is characterized by rolling to occasionally steep hills. <br />The area has been rated by BLM (1983) as Class C for scenic quality. Class C <br />areas have little variety or contrast in landform, vegetation, and color; are common <br />and have low visual appeal. There are no scenic or aesthetic sites near the Project <br />Area. Impacts to the visual resources of the area are insignificant. <br />Furthermore, the area is in BLM Visual Resource Management Class III (BLM, <br />1994). Class III areas are areas of moderate scenic quality, and are considered of <br />moderate visual value. Changes to the landscape should be moderate and should <br />not be the main focus of the casual observer. In addition, landscape modifications <br />may attract attention and be dominant landscape features, but should reflect the <br />basic visual elements (form, line, color, and texture) of the existing landscape. <br />3.5. Existing and Proposed Post-Mining Land Use <br />The present land use on the lease tracts consists primarily of natural gas <br />development, oil shale exploration, RD&D, livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, hunting, <br />and nahcolite exploration and testing activities. The immediate surrounding land use