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<br /> <br />NEPA COMPLIANCE <br />COLORADO WESTMORELAND INC, <br />RIGHT-OF-MAY APPLICATIONS FOR <br />ORCHARD VALLEY WEST MINE Page -ti- <br />The installation of the telephone line beneath CWI's access/haul <br />road would not cause any additional environmental consequences. <br />The areas re-excavated to improve the line along Steven's Gulch <br />would be revegetated following completion of the installation, <br />No clearing of the powerline right-of-way will be required for <br />construction. Access trails may be required to reach some pole <br />locations. These trails would be scarified and revegetated fol- <br />lowing construction of the poles and lines, <br />Management objectives of VRM Class III would be met by the pro- <br />posed 46 KV powerllne, Weak to moderate visual contrasts of the <br />powerline and background are anticipated, <br />B. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION <br />I. NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE <br />Not permitting the improvem ent of an existing road right- <br />of-way, installation of a telephone line, nor construction <br />of a powerline, Mould deny CWI the ability to economically <br />provide power, telephone service and haul coal (in the <br />short term) to the Orchard Valley Mine for crushing and <br />screening. In addition to being cost ineffective, an al- <br />ternative method would probably cause an unacceptable time <br />delay, greater surface disturbance and thus greater loss of <br />vegetation and wildlife habitat and visual and soils im- <br />pacts, A power generator would also create a noise im- <br />pact, <br />C. CRITICAL ELEMENTS <br />1. Neither the proposed action nor the alternatives considered <br />impact known threatened or endangered species, <br />2. Neither the proposed action nor the alternatives considered <br />impact any flood plains or wetlands. <br />3, No wilderness areas or wild and scenic rivers will be im- <br />pacted by the proposed action. <br />4, The proposed action meets the requirements of Visual Re- <br />source Management Class III. Minimal additional terrain <br />disruption will occur with the proposed action. <br />5. Neither the proposed action nor the alternatives considered <br />impact any prime or unique farmland. <br />-.~. ..~ • ~w _ . <br />