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Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment <br /> Royal Gorge Field Office DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2018-0083 EA <br /> 2. PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVE <br /> 2.1. PROPOSED ACTION <br /> BLM will determine if the proposed project would result in no significant impacts(either <br /> because none exist or if they do exist,they can be adequately mitigated)during the EA process. <br /> The operator proposes to utilize a medium-sized backhoe and/or skid loader to excavate several 6 <br /> x 4 foot prospecting pits,which have wall heights less than 4-feet.The operator intends to allow <br /> people to extract barite crystals from the designated prospecting pits using hand tools for a <br /> general fee, as well as sell mined materials in a local rock shop in Hartsel,CO.The operational <br /> timeframe will typically range from April 1 to October 31, which would be contingent upon <br /> seasonal weather conditions.The operator has proposed a 20-year operational life of the mine, <br /> with a general operating timeframe of Monday thru Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.This <br /> schedule may change as needed,per the operator's discretion.The site's mineral reserves have <br /> been estimated to be 15,800 short tons(12,504 C.Y.), resulting in a mine life of greater than 100- <br /> years at a removal rate of 20 short tons!year. <br /> The proposed action would be similar in scope to current exploration activities taking place and <br /> the associated disturbance footprint. Pit development would only occur along the eastern and <br /> southern edges of the 2.0 acres,with material removal estimated to not exceed 20 tons per year. <br /> Waste material and topsoil associated with mining activities would be stockpiled in the center of <br /> the working area to be used as backfill for lower elevated areas. Overburden material would be <br /> stored along the operational boundary and assist with managing stormwater runoff with the <br /> addition of berms and drainage channels.This will decrease sedimentation rate and prevent silt <br /> and other sediments from accumulating in excavated pits and decrease erosion of barren <br /> surfaces.No mineral processing or crystal washing is proposed to occur on-site, so water is not <br /> proposed to be utilized for mining purposes unless it is for dust control. Surface water resources <br /> (e.g. streams, river, shallow aquifers, etc.)would not be disturbed.Groundwater depth is <br /> approximately 150 to 250 feet below the surface and is not projected to be encountered as a <br /> result of the proposed action. <br /> ACCESS <br /> The proposed mining site is located in Park County, approximately 2-miles southwest of Hansel, <br /> Colorado. Access into the site is from US 24 E and Colorow Rd,a pre-existing county road. The <br /> operations would be located on the western side of the two-track BLM road about 1 mile from <br /> US 24 E.No additional routes would be developed. <br /> 7 <br />