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Environmental Assessment Bowie Resources, L.L.C. <br />August 2005 Spruce Stomp Fedeml Coal Ezplo ion License (150- 200543) <br />to return to an adequate desirable vegetative cover. Revegetation of the site would help prevent <br />establishment of noxious weeds, thus returning the site to as close to vegetative potential as the <br />conditions prior to disturbance. The disturbance associated with the Proposed Action would not <br />perpetuate the introduction or spread of exotic species, insects, diseases, or parasites, as long as <br />reclamation is followed. Through reclamation, ecosystem functions would not be affected by <br />these intrusive species. The impacts associated with the Proposed Action are negligible given the <br />limited size of the potentially disturbed area. <br />Increased vehicular traffic in grazing areas has the potential to adversely impact range <br />management (Bradford 2004). When cattle move back into a grazed unit or into an unplanned <br />unit ahead of schedule, it is difficult to accomplish planned range management objectives. The <br />use of gates is one method of limiting unwanted livestock movement; however, this method is <br />unreliable and has not proven effective in the past. All new roads tend to have an adverse impact <br />on livestock movement. Both cattle and sheep have a tendency to follow a road once they gain <br />access to that road, resulting in an impact on how the livestock graze an area. Control of the <br />livestock may be regained by removing and reclaiming the roads at the conclusion of drilling <br />activities, as would be done under the Proposed Action. <br />Noxious weed infestations may occur in areas disturbed by the construction of drill pads and <br />access roads. It is uncertain whether an infestation would take place, but it is reasonable to <br />assume that the potential exists given the natural invasive tendencies of the aggressive noxious <br />weed species, whether by manmade or natural vectors. As long as mitigation measures are used <br />to prevent the spread of noxious weeds by vehicles and an approved seed mix is utilized upon <br />revegetation, there is only a slight potential for impacts to grazing habitat due to noxious weeds. <br />Overall, the potential for impact to range resources from the Proposed Action is expected to be <br />negligible. <br />No Action Alternative <br />The No Action Alternative would not introduce additional effects to range resources within the <br />SSCEL. Ongoing effects would continue. <br />3.3.2.3 Mitigation Measures <br />Conditions prescribed by GMUG (Section 2.1.1) detail requirements for protecting range <br />resources. <br />3.3.3 Recreation <br />The area of potential affect for recreation consists of the area within the SSCEL and BRL's <br />approved mine permit area boundaries, and along the roads used to access these areas. <br />3.3.3.1 Affected Environment <br />NFS lands support a variety of developed and dispersed recreation facilities and activities. The <br />USDA -FS has developed methods for describing recreational settings and opportunities, and for <br />quantifying the amount of participation that is occurring in different recreational activities. The <br />3 -35 <br />