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• Subsidence could also occur i?-sirtQ the extraction of 4.~ to 7-foot ce. >: 'seam pillars on the retreat in <br />theproposedl,304,51-acrele°.=earea. Whileamaximumsubsidenccof7feetcouldoccur,themost <br />likely showing on the surface would be tension cracks such as the ones discussed above. The greater <br />thickness of overburden in this azea (i.e., 300 to 400 feet), however, suggests that subsidence will <br />not be as evident as it has beer; in those areas. <br />,:~ <br />Subsidence fractures could r1SO allow the escape ofinethane gas to ~°~e surface and could increase <br />the.hazazd of undeceround a 4 surface fires, although this is not'?i'-:ely due to ion liberation of <br />methane from the Menefee coal. `• <br />3. Vegetation <br />Some minimal impacts to vesetation would result from the developnent of the surface facilities. <br />This will require the excavati~*r of surface soils and the removal of t ~~ vegatated cover. All surface <br />excavation wil! not be on Fed~aal Land. No indirect or cumulative-npacts have been identified. <br />4. Wildlife <br />Some minimal duect impacts +o wildlife will result from the develcprnent of the surface facilities. <br />The application indicates tha' operations are intended to be contin-_ =d at approximately the same <br />production level Truck traf5^ and human activity would continue ' ~ affect wildlife and big game <br />. species, particularly during t; .~ winter months. Wildlife, particula . ` wintering male deer, may he <br />affected by truck traffic on C;~ 120 and Colorado State Hwy. 140 as •~3d killed ver~ldlife along these <br />roads has been reported to G'r.: BLM. <br />5. Land Use <br />The proposed action would =acilitate development of coal on i3J4.51 acres of federal coal. <br />Development of the coal would diminish federal interest in the;. lands wiL`t a coresponding <br />economic return in the form of bonus bid and production royalties. tipproximately 5-IO acres of <br />state land will be used to seraice the mine. No indirect or cumulative..mpacts have been identified. <br />6. Transportation <br />With a production rate of approximately 300,000 tons per yeaz, there v~%11 continue to be an estunated <br />18 to 28 coal trucks (30 ton iz:cks) traveling County Road 120 east of the King Coal mine site and <br />Colorado State Highway 14:i south of Hay Gulch. inese trucks ~?picaiiy operate each day for <br />approximately 350 nays of the yeaz over uye life of u'le ruine. Truck °raffic will continue to cause <br />deterioration of county roads and highways. The applicant must Meet State and County laws <br />concerning road and highway use. <br />• <br />15 <br />