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goals of scoping are to allow public participation to identify issues, concerns, and potential <br /> impacts that require detailed analysis. In addition, the Mining Plan of Operations modification <br /> document is subject to review and public comment, per 43 CFR 3809 and is therefore included <br /> with this document as Appendix A. <br /> Persons/Public/Agencies Consulted: The Royal Gorge FO posted the Draft EA on the FO's <br /> NEPA website to initiate the public scoping process. This effort launched the public scoping <br /> process in an attempt to identify potential issues associated with the proposed action. A public <br /> notice was also sent to the local Canon City Daily Record and Mountain Mail papers. The issues <br /> identified are summarized below. <br /> Issues Identified: Colorado Parks and Wildlife expressed agency concems and observations of <br /> Cumulative Impacts of placer activity and high banking on the larger Arkansas River in total <br /> when this action was presented for their input. Gold seeking disturbances from related activities <br /> are readily observable by CPW staff while they conduct their river management activities. <br /> Additionally, CPW expressed that public users, such as the anglers and boaters of the Arkansas <br /> River do not readily distinguish between mining law regulated activities such as this action,and <br /> recreational activities where smaller scale digging is left un-reclaimed throughout the upper <br /> Arkansas River corridor(lands managed under the Arkansas Headwater Recreation area). CPW <br /> states their agency receives numerous comments from angry river users about mining activity, <br /> regardless of the intent or authorization. <br /> CHAPTER 2 - PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES <br /> 2.1 INTRODUCTION <br /> The purpose of this chapter is to provide information on the Proposed Action and Alternatives. <br /> Alternatives considered but not analyzed in detail are also discussed. <br /> 2.2 ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED IN DETAIL <br /> 2.2.1 Proposed Action <br /> The Proposed Action is to modify the types of operations currently authorized under the <br /> Plan of Operations. The current Plan of Operations (Appendix 1)permits 4-wheeler access to the <br /> claim along an old road and high banking operations on the west side of the Arkansas River, 0.3 <br /> miles south of Parkdale. Operations occur within 50 feet of the river's edge and involve a pump <br /> (3 %2 hp motor) and a 1.5 inch hose that pumps water up to a sluice box. Material is hand <br /> shoveled into the sluice box for processing. The Plan states that this type of operation will be <br /> conducted between April I"and September 30`h each year. Reclamation includes conservation of <br /> topsoil, refilling holes and revegetating the surface using hand tools. Additional details are <br /> available in the approved Plan of Operations,included as Appendix B. <br /> Proposed Modifications to Mining Plan <br /> The proposed modifications include: <br /> 1. Change the timing of operations- <br />