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r~ <br />L~ <br />Noise created from construction and operation of the mine and <br />its facilities may initially be of consequence, but ultimately <br />will be inconsequential. There are no terrestrial vertebrates <br />that will be permanently impacted; however, noise levels during <br />construction and prior to habituation will likely decrease <br />nesting success of many birds during this time. If ferruginous <br />hawks were in the immediate vicinity of noise impact, they would <br />possibly be permanently impacted, but filed records show them <br />out of the potential area so impact xill be nill. <br />Increased human activity in heretofore lightly used areas will <br />probably cause the greatest impact. Construction and subsequent <br />• operation personnel will double the current population of nearby <br />Rangely, Colorado, but it will much more than double the usage <br />of the potential area of the mine and its associated facilities <br />since the majority of the population increase will be actively <br />using and traversing the area on a work day basis. <br />Additionally, they will be utilizing the area for recreation. <br />Many of those traversing and utilizing the area will carry <br />firearms in their vehicles and use them for target shooting of <br />small mammals, carnivores and raptors. Such action will <br />seriously impact the stability of white-tailed prairie dog, <br />badger and coyote populations since legal protection is not <br />afforded these species. Trophically, the impact will not cause <br />a "domino effect." Removal of the herbivore will not cause <br />• radical declines in populations of higher trophic level species, <br />II.H-142 <br />