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J NE PA COMPLIANCE COLORADO MESTMORELAND INC. RIGHT-OF-MAY APPLICATIONS FOR ORCHARD VALLEY HEST MINE Page -5- ,~ used, To mitigate the loss of vegetation, CMI will seed (with CMI's seed mixture approved by the Colorado Mined Land Reclama- tion Division) and mulch all cut and fill slopes in early spring or fall following completion of construction, The loss of three acres of vegetation and habitat would cause a displacement of less than an estimated 1 deer and 0.1 elk. This displacement loss would be permanent on the road surface. but temporary on cut and fill slopes, until the slopes were revege- tated, During the period of time the road is used for coal haul- age, an increase in wildlife fatalities and harassment may result from increased truck traffic, Due to the steep slopes, little livestock grazing occurs in the area. and thus would be minimally impacted. The Delson very stoney loam soils in the area have severe limita- tions for road construction due to depth to rock and slope. These limitations were addressed in geotechnical analyses and road designs. As surface runoff is rapid and erosion potential is moderate, these limitations were addressed in drainage struc- tures designs. Erosion and sedimentation impacts could be miti- gated by the placement of riprap and straw bale check structures to slow velocities and minimize sediment movement in the ditches. Cut and fill slopes would be revegetated in early spring or fall following completion of construction to reduce impacts of ero- sion. Due to stability problems experienced on a portion of the "Blouch Road", north of the lease boundary, these and similar areas were avoided when designing the access/haul road. No sur- face or ground waters are running in the area of the road. Expansion of the existing road would meet requirements of YRM Class IIi. Additional terrain disruption to the existing 'Blouch Road and Steven's Guich Road would be minimal, As vegetation is re-established on cut and fill slopes, visual impacts would be reduced. ~` Fugitive dust emissions would be increased during the period of time the coal haulage occurred on the road. These emissions would be controlled by regularly watering the roadway and limit- ing vehicle speed to below 30 mph. The road is located in an unpopulated area of the foothills of the Grand Mesa. No social impacts vauld result from the expan- sion of the road. As the road would be utilized for coal haulage for approximately two years, expansion of the existing road to accommodate coal truck traffic was the most economically feasible method for coal haulage from the Orchard Valley Nest Mine site.