2019-02-13_REVISION - M2000077 (5)

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'i \1U1e Creek Gravel Pit - DccisiOn Notice and FUNSI 15/00 PaL 6 Alternative C—This alternative has been selected and is heim-, approved by the Forest Service. Under the reduced mine size altcrnaM'c. the «rcnel mine WOUld experience the same site preparation. gravel production. and similar reclamation process as described above under Alternative B. Hwwever, undcr Alternative C the size of the expanded quarry and production would be significantly scaled buck and limited to the portion of the site containing fewer rock Outcrops, thus requiring* less blasting and crushing to remove and process. It is quite likely that nO blasting would be required, but if it becomes necessary. the fO11Ow1112- procedures would be followed: 1. Any blasting would be restricted to the period from November I to May]. The only exception to this would he if'it is required to maintain production schedule and to a limited extent during the sunlnler months. 2. Any blasting would occur during the afternoon hours. I necessary, blasting would first be coordinated with the Colorado 3. f y, L, Department of Transportation, Mueller State Park, and neighbors in the i area. I The mine production rates would be approximately the same as under the proposed action (Alternative B), but only about half of the volume of gravel would be removed, and the duration and/or intensity of negative impacts would he significantly reduced. I The use of native species in the seed mix would not allow for the introduction of non indigenous species, and due to the finer type of material in the northern part ol'the gravel pit, crushing and screening activities will occur at a smaller scale than under Alternative B. This will serve to reduce dust and noise impacts. Under Alternative 1 C, only the northern half of the area included in Alternative B would be reclaimed by the permittee. However, to meet Forest Service watershed improvement objectives, opportunities to reclaim the remainder of the previously disturbed area on the southern part of the existing gravel pit would continue to be a high priority. Alternative C was chosen for the following reasons: • The reduced mine size would meet the needs for aggregate in Teller County with minimal environmental impacts. These impacts would only occur during the production and initial reclamation phases. i • Alternative C is an opportunity to further evaluate the feasibility to reclaim the south portion of the Mule Creek Gravel Pit. i Alternative A was not chosen because it would result in ongoing negative environmental impacts and would not allow for the reclamation of the existing gravel pit. Alternative B was not chosen due to concerns about the potential for adverse impacts to j adjacent property owners from nuisance factors associated with quarry operations over a lodger period of time than would Occur under Alternative Cl— Although the benefits from reclamation of the whole area would be preferable, Alternative C will allow the Forest I I i Hydrosphere Resource Consultants.I002 walnut Suite 200.Boulder,CO 80302