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The Fughes loam is a deep, well drained soil that formed in old <br />alluvial fans and landslide deposits. Surface runoff is rapid. to <br />very rapid depending on slope. The hazard of erosion from wind fs <br />alight and from water is high. Mass wasting occurs on steeper <br />slopes, especially on disturbed areas. <br />The tract does not contain an alluvial valley floor. <br />IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CO]iSEOUENCES <br />The impa~~ts to air quality, climate, vegetation, soils, visual <br />resourceis ar-ci land uae were found to be negligible, and therefore were <br />not anal7ized further. <br />A. Alte~rnat a One - Prooosed Action <br />Mineral <br />Subsidence could occur due to the extraction of coal on retreat <br />in the ,application area. The most likely shoving on the surface <br />would b~>_ gradual lowering of the surface without any surface <br />disturbances such as tension cracks, although surface fractures <br />could ocscur. In addition, as a result of the requirement for the <br />quarterly monitoring of the area for subsidence and the greater <br />thickness of overburden, it is not anticipated that subsidence <br />would be evidenced. Stuffing at the outcrop could occur but <br />geologic: conditions of the coal will not allow mining close to <br />the outcrop, therefore stuffing is unlikely. <br />Transtiort t <br />There is no coal truck traffic increase expected as a result of <br />this operation. At 3.5 million tons per year production, six to <br />seven trains per week would haul coal and at maximum production <br />of 4.0 million tons per year, seven to eight trains per week <br />would. haul coal out of the valley from the West Elk Hine. At <br />maximum production for all mines in the North Fork, train traffic <br />would increase to 13 to 14 trains per week. <br />County w:Lde traffic associated with coal related growth would not <br />be expect;ed to significantly overload any county or State road <br />system: While traffic accidents would be expected to increase am <br />unspecif3.ed amount, the accident rate (accident per vehicle mile:) <br />itself would not be expected to increase. <br />~,ldllfe and Endangered Species <br />In orcler to protect and minimize impacts to,the Grand Nesa <br />PenstE:mon that nay occur, a Threatened and Endangered plant <br />survey would be required prior to any surface disturbance. In <br />addition, in order to protect and preserve breeding and nesting <br />habitat for the Loggerhead shrike, disturbances in sagebrush and <br />oak st.and;s should be avoided to the extent possible. <br />Coal leas:[nq could impact populations of listed Federal ~ State <br />Endangered fish species to the degree that development would <br />Page 13 <br />