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' Mule Creek Gravel Pit ~iromnental Assessment • Page 24 <br /> <br /> 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT <br /> 3.1 Introduction <br />t <br /> This section of the EA describes the physical, biological, and human environment of the <br /> area that maybe affected by the implementation of the proposed action and the <br />' alternatives previously described. The envirorunental information presented in this <br /> chapter provides the baseline for evaluation of impacts. The Physical Environment <br />t section describes the geology, soils, hydrology, water quality, air quality, and noise <br />characteristics of the area. The Biological Environment section describes the aquatic <br /> biology, wetlands, vegetation, wildlife and threatened and endangered species found in <br /> the study azea. The section on the Human Environment describes cultural resources, <br />and socioeconomic and visual resources <br />recreation <br /> . <br />, <br /> The environmental baseline information presented in this chapter has been developed <br />' through several previous study efforts, as well as field inspection carried out in July of <br /> 1999. Those studies include the Biological Evaluation (DA TI MBI Environmental, <br />' 1998) and the Cultural Resource Management Report (Powers 1998), the Forest Plan <br />(1984a), and the Environmental Assessment for the Pikes Peak Highway (USDA 1984b). <br /> Information from these studies has been summarized and updated to provide a general <br /> description of environmental, cultural and socioeconomic conditions for the area. A <br />complete list of information sources and references is provided at the end of this <br /> document. <br />' This EA focuses primarily (but not exclusively) on aspects of the physical, biological, <br />cultural and socioeconomic environment related to issues and concerns raised during the <br />' scoping process. There are a total of fifteen resource categories that are addressed in this <br />EA. The level of detail included for each resource category varies according to the <br />availability of information and the potential for impacts. <br />1 3.1.1 Physical Environment <br />' 3.1.1.1 Geology <br /> The Pike National Forest is located within the Rocky Mountain Physiographic Province. <br />' Numerous mountain ranges of varying elevations are interspersed with broad gentle <br /> valleys, steep-sided V-shaped canyons and some U-shaped glaciated valleys. Elevations <br /> range from 5,000 feet where the mountains rise from the plains to 14,433 at Mt. Elbert. <br />' The Continental Divide forms much of the western border of the Pike and San Isabel <br /> National Forests. <br />' The Front Range of the Rocky Mountains is the longest continuous uplift in Colorado, <br />extending from Canon City northward to the Wyoming border. The eastern slope is <br />' characterized by broad dissected bench-like erosional surfaces that descend in steps to the <br />' Hydrosphere Rewurce Consultants, Inc. 1002 Walnut Street, Suilc 200 Boulder, CO 80302 <br />