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02%08/98 FRI 10:13 F.~S 303 i89 :89i HEi~'DERSOY :000 PROJECT fm 008 the Forest Service, vim•vas held in Kremmling, Colorado rn Septemoer~, V DurMg scoping activities, three tetMrs were received .n response to the proposed action. No letters wane received in response m the E/l Five Issues were identlfied: :mpetts b wettantls on federal and private property socio~eonorrnc effeds of the project and Grand County n>srdents • air and noise Impacts m people using the area induding; dispersed and developed reereatlon utters, and neghbadng private land otmen • 6iolagid resources impacts, induding timber shod removal, wildlife habitat tlegradadon and threatened and endangered speeiea impeots • visual resources effects of the project on pubic lands relaletl m road location The speafle peooto and agentaes involved in ms project are dacumerrMd in Chapter 4 of the lA All comments received throughout the enalysR were wnmdered in this decision. ALTERNATIVES t:ONSIDERED: The altemabves considered in debit induded a diesel train haulage system, (NO Action Alternative) and a surface ovenand conveyor system, with two ditkrent access route eortfiguratlons, (rcter to Chanter 2 at the F~4). The Diesel Tram Aitemativfl (Na Action Alternative) would meet the ore transportation purpose but also Induded erMfanmetrtal effects whidt were less acceptable related to air poAutlon embslons, noise levels, isuatquarity resources and wildOfe safety issues. This altematlve is wholly located on private property ~wmed by the Gimax INeiybdenum Ccmpany. The Ssrdaca Ova~and Convflyrn altemativas would meet the ore iransporbtforl purpose and would provide for better air quality, reduced noise levels, improved visual quality resources and provide for wildlife safety. These alternatives, 81 and B2, require the use of appro>:inrdlely 25 and 27 acres of lands administered by the forest Service, respectively. Two variations on the atxess route along the soutll end of the conveyor were anaryzed. Alternative 81 would require a large cut and fill slope whidi would be seen Nom Forest Development Road 138. It also would require a skid read for timber cemaval, AitartiatNe 82 would util¢e the thnber skid road as the access roufP, and ellminate the need for the permanent cut and fill needed in Alternatrve 81. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT rMPAGTS: I have determined that implementing Alternative B2 will meet the needs of the project proponent and will not have a significant effect on Uie human environment Therefore, art environmenbl +mpaCt statement rs not needed. This detemenation is based on the analysis of effeds documemed in the fA. The following discussion focuses on faders to be considered in detennhring what oonstkubs 'significant effects on the erivironmt:rtt (sae the Counral do Environmental Quality's regulations at ~0 CFi41508.27). S64S£id~ Alternative B2 wtndd cause OisturbanrE to 2T eves of National Forest System lands. n i :The physical and bidogiral etteCS are corrfined to the right4f--way comtlor and, b a lesser degree, m lands adjacent m the tarriddr. Adverse effxts an sails, water, air, wildlife and vegetation are judged to be not significent due m the type of cronsttut:tlon, the number of aces affected'm relatlon to the number of adjacent unaffected aces, antl mitigatlon measures required (as discussed in Chapter 3 of the F11). Mitigation of wetlands impacted are detailed in the Army Corps of Engineers d04 Permit Appliptfon and meet the standards set forth try Ne Corps and the US Environmental Protection Agency. A variety of protectlons is provided by the mRigation measures developed for this project which will De roflerted in rho Easement lasuee by the Rocky Mountain Regianat ofnee. As is standard practice In lmplementlng projects of this type on Nadanai Faresl System lands, a Conslrvcdon, Operab'on and Maintenance Plan will be developed by Climax Morybderum Comparry for approval by me; this plan will apply the mitigatldn measures to project details to ensure that public htalth and safety are protected. Selection of Alternative 82 does not establish a precedent for future actions With significant ef[ects, nor dose @ represent a derision in principle about a future consideration. laWkrorfrr,ii•11j1o'.Q4r610Rt •AMsafm3trr11ryN(~,gpr~ry' A~ierMiea' 7