2021-05-03_REVISION - M1997054 (6)

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Issues Analysis Chapter 3 The proposed Sale Area would be seeded, and vegetation cover would establish during the ongoing reclamation efforts at the Sale Area. Vegetation cover would consist of native species that closely resemble existing undisturbed vegetation that substantially mimics the topographic and ecological setting present in the surrounding hillsides and to the south of Parkdale Quarry. The landscape to the south of Parkdale Quarry is shortgrass prairie on the lowland areas, bordered by hillside/montane areas on mountain scrubland dominated by mountain mahogany. The reclamation of the proposed Sale Area would result in the replacement of the existing pinion- juniper plant community with grassland and shrub plant communities. Although the restored vegetation is expected to enhance wildlife habitat, it would likely create a visual contrast with the vegetation immediately adjacent to the proposed Sale Area. Accordingly, visual contrast related to the restored vegetation would be permanent and moderate following operation and reclamation, but is unlikely to attract attention. During and post-reclamation, the topographic transformation of the proposed Sale Area would result in highly noticeable visual impacts due to the topographical transformation of the western slope of Cactus Mountain. Although the reclamation benches, which would be approximately 35 feet high with a width of approximately 30 feet, would be backfilled to an approximate reclamation slope of 1:1 (horizontal to vertical), the shape, form, and contour of the proposed Sale Area would be substantially different than pre-mining conditions. Overall, visual impacts at the proposed Sale Area during mining operations, post-closure, and reclamation would be noticeable from the KOPs. There would be a change in the shape, contour, contrast, and vegetation cover through all mining phases and reclamation. However, because the mining operations and reclamation activities would be completed in five phases spanning 100 years, and the areas disturbed would be concurrently reclaimed as mining progresses, the overall impacts would be mitigated and decreased. Therefore, the VRM Class II status of the proposed Sale Area would be maintained. Mining and reclamation activities would be visible, but they would not attract the attention of the casual observer. Protective/Mitigation Measures As described above, concurrent reclamation of mine areas for which mining has been completed would be implemented. This would allow for vegetation to establish where mining has been completed, while mining activities are in progress elsewhere within the proposed Sale Area. Concurrent reclamation would result in reduced impacts to visual resources and visual contrast. Parkdale Quarry Expansion Project Final Environmental Impact Statement 3-66