2023-11-06_REVISION - M1979155 (2)

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statement is not required. This finding is based on the potentially affected environment and degree of the effects of the action project as described below. Rationale This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is based on my consideration of the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) criteria for significance (40 CFR 1508.27), with regard to the context and intensity of the impacts described in the EA. Affected Area The CEQ regulations at 40 CFR 1501.3(b)(1) state "In considering the potentially affected environment, agencies should consider, as appropriate to the specific action, the affected area and its resources, such as listed and designated critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act." A range of analysis areas is used for the resources analyzed in the EA, including the ROW area, No Name area, and Eagle County, Colorado. These analysis areas provide context for the proposed project's potential impacts to each resource. The nearest population center to the Material Storage site is the community of Dotsero, Degree of the Effects of the Action The following have been considered in evaluating the degree of the effects (40 CFR 1501.3(b)(2))for this Proposed Action: 1. Both short- and long-term effects. Short term effects include increased truck traffic in the area and increased dust during emergency operations. No longer term effects were indicated within the analysis. 2. Both beneficial and adverse effects. Beneficial, adverse, direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts are disclosed in the EA. The analysis in the EA indicates no significant impacts on the affected region, the affected interests, or the locality. The physical and biological effects are limited to the analysis areas identified in the EA. 3. Effects on public health and safety. The proposed project would not adversely affect public health or safety. The proposed project includes design features (e.g. a yearly storm water control plan) to help mitigate any affects to public health or safety. 4. Effects that would violate Federal, State, Tribal, or local law protecting the environment. Degree to which the possible effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be highly controversial. The project area contains landforms, vegetation communities, biological resources, and cultural resources typical of the surrounding area. No historic or cultural resources considered to have unique characteristics were identified during the cultural resources 2