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<br />-2- <br />If the alternative of approval with stipulations is chosen environmental <br />impacts should he minimal as Identified in the technical and environmental <br />analyses. <br />Disapproval: The disapproval alternative could be selected if the proposed <br />action would cause significant, adverse impacts, i.e., irreparable <br />env.lronmental harm. The Regional Director of OSM could select the disapproval <br />alternative after review of [he technical and environmental assessment. <br />Disapproval would be necessary 1E the stipulations of the approval <br />alternative, those which ensure compliance with SMCRA and other federal lalas, <br />were not accepted by t}te operator. If this alternative were chosen mining of <br />the E seam would no[ occur and the potential impacts caused by subsidence <br />would not occur from mining the E seam. <br />No Action: OSM must recommend an action on a mining and reclamation plan <br />because the Federal mineral leasing laws and the existing lease agreement <br />renuire [he Secretary of the Interior to respond to an application to mine and <br />conduct operations on a Federal lease. U.S. Steel Corporation (and Sunflower <br />Energy Corporation) has met all the requirements of the lease to. the best of <br />our knowledge. <br />If [his alternative were adopted the Impacts would he the same as discussed in <br />the disapproval alternative. <br />.4Pfected Environment and Impacts of the Proposed Action <br />land Use: The present land use of the ].ease area is recreation, wildlife <br />habitat, and grazing. The steepness of the slopr_ of: the area prohibits <br />cultivation of the land. No economic timber is located at the mine site <br />area. The post-mining land use is anticipated to be used for recreation, <br />wildlife habitat, and grazing. <br />Cultural Resources: A culture resource survev was conducted in the Blue <br />Ribbon 1~1ine project area. The area was found not to contain any cultural <br />resources except the remains of the original Blue Ribbon Mine. However due [o <br />the recent date of. this mine (it was abandoned in 1963) it is no[ considered <br />to be a significant cultural resource. Sunflower Energy has made arrangements <br />to have an additional 8`/, to 10% of the lease area surveyed. This approval by <br />OSA1 is conditioned uVOn Sunflower Energy accomplishing this additional survey <br />work. OSM will carry out this survev i.n the spring of. 1981. A permit for <br />carrying nut the survev mast first be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service. <br />Climate and Air Quality: The Blue Ribbon Mine is in an area that receives <br />between 15 to 29 L~,ches of annual precipitation. The growing season for <br />native plants is mid-May to mid-July. The topographic features of. the area <br />have the most influencing affects on local distribution of precipitation. <br />This is attributed t.u changes in elevation and temperature. Since the Blue <br />Ribbon Aline is an underground mine, the only emissions from the mining <br />operation will deriv.; from coal conveying and storage processes that produce <br />fuy,itlve dust. These will be vehicle exhaust emissions from coal haul trucks <br />and company and employee vehicles. None of these emissions are likely to <br />seriously impair the area's air quality. <br />