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According to the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DBMS), "The Division holds 28 uranium prospecting permits in Weld, Summit, Fremont, Grand, San Miguel, Mesa, Montrose, and Moffat counties. Twenty-three mines have active permits, and five aze awaiting warranty (which means activity on the ground cannot occur). Information on these permits is confidential, and activity is limited" ("Uranium Mining in Colorado," 2007, DBMS). Further, "There are 35 permitted uranium projects in Colorado. Of that total, one is in temporary cessation, one is awaiting warranty, one application is in review, and thirty-five are active (but not producing)" ("Uranium Mining in Colorado," 2007, DBMS). Cumulative impacts associated with regional prospecting and exploration, mining, transportation, and milling of uranium ore, represented by the appazent resurgence in uranium mining, as is evident by citing DOE's uranium lease expansion combined with rising mineral claims and prospecting and exploration interests, are quite significant in the case of the Whirlwind Mine. Specific cumulative impacts include: Impacts associated with mine site access and transportation, especially during increased truck use for transporting of ore for processing, given the multitude of uranium mining proposals in the region. Impacts associated with regional mining activities. Impacts associated with greater nuclear fuel cycle through extraction, processing, and disposal o NEPA requires the consideration and disclosure of the lazger regional, national and international implications of bringing more uranium out of the ground and into nucleaz fuel cycle and weapons programs that require involvement of the Nucleaz Regulatory Commission ("NBC") and the consideration of the problems related to the lack ofstorage/disposal facilities at all stages of uranium's life cycle. Impacts on Endangered Species Act species could be very significant when considered with Department of Energy Uranium Leasing Program (July, 2007) and other regional mining activities and the increase in gas leasing (estimated 313 wells by 2010). Proposed future operations: It is stated within the Plan of Operations that "future underground mining operations may connect with adjacent mines in the azea such as Lumsden No. 2 and Rajah 49" and that "khis would be done primarily for mine ventilation purposes although some older stopes could also be mined." The Division should fully analyze any future mining operations, including any sites not fully disclosed, evaluated and analyzed in the Whirlwind Mine permitting exercise. At a minimum, the Division should assess operations and require and plan for full reclamation of any adjacent or associated mines, including Lumsden No. 2 or Rajah 49.