PERMFILE72863

• Permit No: M2000077
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Name: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT MULE CREEK GRAVEL PIT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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The purpose of this EA is to disclose the environmental consequences of implementing
the Proposed Action and alternatives to that action. This EA has been prepared to meel
the requirements of the NEPA, the CEQ guidelines, and the applicable Forest Service
regulations. The Forest Service decision will be documented in a decision notice.
'
1.3 The Proposed Action
PK Enterprises, Inc. has submitted aSpecial-Use Application to the Pike National Forest
proposing to remove gravel from a previously developed quarry located about four miles
' south of Divide on the east side of Colorado State Highway 67 in Teller County. The
existing abandoned quarry site is located partly within the Pike National Forest and partly
on private land and is immediately adjacent to the Highway 67 entrance to Mueller State
t Pazk. Under the proposed action, the applicant would develop and reclaim the site in
three phases: 1)pre-production site prepazation; 2) production; and 3) reclamation. Part
of the reclamation phase would be implemented concurrently with production.
'
1.4 Purpose and Need
' The Mule Creek gravel pit is situated in the Divide region of Teller County, where
development has occurred at a swift pace over the past few yeazs. Based on population
data for 1997 and 1998 and on estimated data for 1999, the population in Teller County
' has grown by an average of 3-1/4 to 4% per yeaz. The Teller County Road Count
Comparison (1996 - 1999) indicates an increasing trend of traffic in the county.
Teller County's growth has been driven by the economy of Colorado Springs. Factors
' such as price of land, availability of approved developments, availability of water and
water rights, water quality {sewer treatment facilities), have been responsible for driving
' the growth in Teller County from Woodland Pazk to the Divide region.
Besides the development pressures attributable to the growth of Colorado Springs, Teller
County has been affected by the gaming economy in Cripple Creek -- 18 miles south of
Divide -- as Divide provides many of the housing and services for the Cripple Creek azea.
Moreover, the Divide region has been chosen to house the county offices for Teller
' County, which will contribute to the already existing growth trends in the region.
There aze 14 existing gravel pits (mining operations with active permits) in Teller
' County, most of them on private land. Decomposed granite gravel is used as material for
road base and dirt fill. Hazder, better quality material can be used for pavement. The use
of aggregate in Teller County to produce concrete for construction is currently limited to
the Cameron gravel pit. Construction materials that require different aggregate qualities
have been imported from surrounding counties.
' Current and future growth trends have important implications with respect to the demand
for road and construction materials. However, current aggregate pits in Teller County are
not centrally located, have difficult highway access and produce high cost gravel,
' Hydrosphere Resource Consultants, 1002 Walnut Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302