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' - 13 - :~ ~~a, " >~~~; Alternatives to approving the mine plan. Alternative 1. Disapproval of the plan The disapproval alternative eliminates mining at the 14cClane Canyon mine, will cause mine closure, eliminate a valuable home heating and steam power plant resource, and_result in the immediate layoff of up to 15 people causing an economic loss in purchases and property taxes in Mesa County. The operator would incutr financial loss due to the capital investment in equipment and facilities. Because of the unique geologic nature of the coal strata, future mining of this coal if the mine were closed is unlikely and would result in the loss of 370,000 plus tons of recoverable Federal Coal. .~ Alternative 2. No Action ~- The Federal Mineral leasing laws and existing lease requirements require the Secretary of the Interior to respond to application to conduct mining opera- tion on Federal leases and therefore-is considered but discounted as a viable alternative. y~: ~ Long Term Impacts , ,. ..: -.. .,. ~c ! ~ ._ _. _:.... - -;. ... .. _ Long term impacts that, would occur if the minecplan is approved are: Maximum Yecovery of coal-used fo'r'-locaL'and-steam operation-purposes: further deline- i`"1 ati'on of a resource that possibly could be mined: further continued employment ,S ,.-':.~ for about 15 people: .potential subsidence on approximately 248 acres of sur- ~~ ~ face land over the_ woYkings. __ - - .. .. .. ~,• i-~i.^'..~-. •::-:-.._:,_:c_r era~rzarr-_ :r,:-:r cf •:`=e :. ." .. r..•-.._ ~.x•-,.. ~:,. .._`:. .. Sl4ort Term ~'mpacts '~~_''''~" Short term impacts are:•expected to be:[he same as. long term impacts except continued mining would cause some short term fugitive dust in the_area: ~ ~:.,~,;..-, , people and machinery. will adversely..affect. wildlife:_ about 7.7 acres of land =~•= ~ have been'removed~ from irildli£e_ grazing. ur:=.bai.r~^ x:lar.~=: ~ '.:_.-.. _, _-. ... ;, .- '-'1 .. _ ~ .c'.. E .:. _.~ . ' nil:.. .. ... _ ~ ~ .:.