2019-10-24_PERMIT FILE - M2019038

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Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment Royal Gorge Field Office DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2018-0083 EA 3. ISSUE ANALYSIS 3.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA The proposed action area is located approximately 2.0 miles southwest of Hartsel,Colorado.The topography of the area ranges from 9,000 to 9,500 feet in elevation and is located 1.0 mile upgradient from the South Platte River.The landscape encompasses a widespread mountain grassland located in the Rocky Mountain foothills with abundant mahogany trees and Rabbitbrush. Geologically,the action area primarily consists of a Pennsylvanian sandy conglomerate with acidic soils as a result of the dissolution of granitic minerals such as potassium feldspar and sodium plagioclase.The principal uses of the proposed operation site and surrounding area are grazing,mining and recreational(e.g. hunting,hiking and fishing) activities. 3.2. PAST,PRESENT AND REASONABLY FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS Mining operations along and within the action area would show minimal if any cumulative impacts on the human environment and landscape. Cumulative impacts for resources affected by the proposed operations appear to be negligible,if the proposed mining operation were to be approved. 3.3. ISSUE 1 What impact would the presence of people and mining equipment have on terrestrial wildlife and migratory birds? Affected Environment The proposed action area is located in an area that has been previously disturbed for mining activities. The proposed action area is upslope of the South Platte River and downslope from the foothills. The habitat is grassland with some limited shrub cover and no tree cover. The typical uses of the action area would include recreation,hunting or mining. Terrestrial wildlife species that may be present in the action area during the proposed activities include ungulates such as pronghorn. Avian migratory species such as passerines or raptors may be present in the action area during the proposed activities. 13