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appears that there will be a continuing use of the pit area for a detention pond or storage area for <br />the purpose of protecting the adjacent private landowners improvements. There will <br />undoubtedly be a need to reclaim and maintain the structural integrity of the detention basin. <br />That maintenance and continued use of the Public land for a private purpose should be <br />authorized, probably by a Section 302 FLPMA lease. Since the mining activity creating the pit <br />are authorized under the mineral material permit and with public compensation, the 3021ease <br />could be delayed until mining ends and reclamation and maintenance begins. <br />Recommended Mitigation: Include reference to the need to obtain a 3021ease covering the area <br />to be maintained as the water detention area <br />VISUAL RESOURCES <br />Affected Environment: The existing Visual Resource Management (VRM) inventory <br />identifies the project area with the Class III Visual Inventory rating. Actions taken in this area <br />should conform to the standards prescribed by this VRM class. VRM is a tool used to ensure the <br />scenic qualities of an area are considered prior to implementation of a project. <br />VRM Class III: Change attracts attention but is not dominant. The objective for VRM Class III <br />is to partially retain the existing character of the landscape. The level of change to the <br />characteristic landscape should be moderate. Management activities may attract attention, but <br />should not dominate the view of the casual observer. Changes should repeat the basic elements <br />found in the predominant natural features of the landscape. <br />i <br />\_ <br />The landscape in the immediate area of the proposed action has been modified by agricultural <br />(famring and ranching), industrial (mining), and transportation (roads, railroad) activities for <br />over 100 years. The dominant natural features of the landscape in the area are the granite <br />outcrops and rugged hills immediately to the east, northeast and southeast, the rolling terrain <br />(formed by river and glacial outwash) of the valley floor to the west, and views (west) of the <br />high peaks of the southern Sawatch Range. <br />Environments.! Consequences/Mitigation: <br />Proposed Action: The Proposed Action would meet VRM Class III objectives. The sand <br />and gravel mining and construction of the detention pond would result in minimal change to the <br />characteristic landscape. It would attract the attention of the casual observer in the immediate <br />area but it would not dominate the view. The mitigation that is incorporated into the Proposed <br />Action (following the curve of the granite outcrops that exist on the east side of the site and <br />developing a vegetation plan with the Natural Resource Conservation Service) would somewhat <br />reduce the visual impact. No additional mitigation is necessary. <br />No Acfion Alternative: This alternative would meet VRM Class III objectives. <br />Cumulative Impacts of the Proposed Action: No cumulative impacts. <br />18 <br />