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Cultural Resources <br /> The area of potential effects (APE) to cultural resources encompasses those areas that may <br /> potentially be directly impacted by project activities and includes all acreage within the project <br /> boundary, as well as the immediate area (1/4-mile buffer) around the gravel pit that may be <br /> impacted by increased visibility, auditory, and atmospheric impacts from the pit expansion and <br /> operations. For the purpose of this project,the APE to cultural resources is considered 125 acres. <br /> A total of three needs data/eligible historic properties are located in the APE. In general,the gravel <br /> pit sits on a high point in the landscape and because of that, limits its visibility on the landscape <br /> and to surrounding cultural resources. Use of the pit also does not occur on a regular basis which <br /> further limits auditory(i.e., noise) and atmospheric(i.e., dust)impacts to cultural resources. <br /> One historic property, 5SM.511, has minor visual and auditory impacts from the gravel pit given <br /> its proximity to the pit, however none of which diminish national register eligible defining <br /> characteristics of the site. Furthermore, the current expansion pit will avoid historic property <br /> 5SM.511 by 20 meters. <br /> Given these considerations, impacts to cultural resources are considered negligible and do not <br /> warrant further NEPA analysis. <br /> Native American Religious and other Concerns <br /> Consultation with local Tribes occurred through scoping letters sent on June 6, 2024. The Hopi <br /> tribe requested consultation on the project via email on June 14th,2024.A phone call on June 14th, <br /> 2024,between TRFO and the Hopi Tribe identified the Tribe's concerns regarding lack of royalties <br /> paid by the operator, the length of the contract,the acreage size of the contract, and the effect the <br /> pit would have on cultural resources in the area.On June 17th,2024,the TRFO provided additional <br /> cultural info to the Hopi Tribe, including a cultural survey and a map with buffered cultural <br /> locations, and requested a meeting to further discuss concerns. On July 8th,2024,the TRFO sent a <br /> subsequent follow up with additional pictures from the gravel pit and from the cultural sites in the <br /> area. <br /> Fire/Fuels Management <br /> Trees and understory will be utilized as mulch for concurrent reclamation and for stockpile <br /> stability. Stockpiling woody material on site is not permitted. Prescribed fire or other fuel <br /> treatments are not allowed within or surrounding the Proposed Action. <br /> Visual Resources <br /> The project is located in a Visual Resource Management Class III area and adjacent to an existing <br /> gravel pit disturbance area. While reclamation plans need to be designed to minimize long term <br /> visual impacts to the area, further analysis in this document is not warranted. Vegetation removal <br /> and dirt work would be visible for a time until the site has been fully revegetated after reclamation <br /> occurs. Dolores County would preserve as many trees as possible and only remove those within <br /> the approved expansion footprint. Reclamation, contouring, and seeding of ground disturbance <br /> would be required upon completion of phased implementation of the project. <br /> Recreation <br /> Disappointment Valley Gravel Pit Expansion EA DOI-BLM-CO-S010-2024-0021-EA <br /> Tres Rios Field Office <br /> 10 <br />