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<br />the use of st:cdcd spccit:x li(,nl Itxrll_v nati,~c plant<. Icnilizcrs :md mulch tt•ill al.n <br />apply to tlu rcclan7ation acti,'itic.. <br />Prior to t3cginnim_ ,Murk on the Mule Crcck Gravel Pit operation. PK Enterprises, Inc.. <br />will implement ~ public notification process. This process shall include ntcdia <br />releases. pcrson:d tartlets and general information shout tltc hcnefits of the prc7,jcct. <br />PK Edlcrpriscs will also work with Mutalcr Slate Park and Forest Scn•icc persanncl <br />tt, develop :, high quality hrochurc alxwt the project for distribution to rht: public. <br />The public notification process and br«hurc will be dcvdupcd prior to the hcginnin~ <br />of work in the travel pit. <br />Comparison of Alternatives <br />The criteria selected by thu Forst Service lur et:duation of ahematives wen: hascd <br />primarily upon cnvironmcntal and fcasibifity factors. In particular, ahcrnativcs wi117 <br />reduced cnvironmenwl impacts and with reclamation potential were favored. Other <br />coltsidet•ations included the supply of ;ravel. <br />• Alternative A -Under this altemative, the nuisance factors associated with the <br />proposed quarry operations would be avoided, but the cxistin; abandoned yuarry <br />located on both private land and National Forest System land would remain in its <br />current condition and no action would be taken to reclaim the site. This ahernativc <br />would result in additional soil losses due to wind and water erosion processes, <br />continued sedimentation to streams and wetlands. colonization of disturtx:d areas wish <br />aggressive noxious plants, the gradual loss of trees and understory vegetation on <br />National Forest System land due to erosion of steep cut slopes. and [he associated <br />deo adation of wildlife hubi[at and scenic values. <br />• Alternative B -The proposed action watt not selected. Under Alternative B. the <br />gravel mine would be developed and reclaimed in three phases: I)pre-production site <br />preparation: 2) production: and 3) reclamation to be initiated concurrently with the <br />production phase. The purpose and need for the proposed project would he to <br />provide aggregate for use in Teller County, to mitigate impacts form the abandoned <br />quarry that curren[ly exist and to reduce the potential for additional impacts to occur <br />in the future. The main positive environmental impacts resul[ing from the proposed <br />action (Alternative B) include: reduction of the cut slopes. reshaping of contours to <br />simulate natural topographic conditions, erosion control, reduction of sedimentation <br />from the site, Fong-term improvement in air quality, improvement of aquatic and <br />wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, revenues to the Forest Service from the sale <br />of trees and gravel, provide aggregate for use in Teller County, and significant <br />improvement of the aesthetic character of the site. This alternative, however, would <br />result in impacts co air quality, noise levels. and wildlife during the production period, <br />and the use of non-naive species in the seed mix during reclamation would contribute <br />to the displacemen[ of native species. This altemative would require the use of <br />explosives on occasion [o fracture exposed rock outcroppings. <br />MyCrorpha• aoaocs CWWIILtt1. 1003 Walnut Suin:1[14 Bouldv, CO 847(1. <br />