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adverse impacts on aquatic environments would be downstream quality impacts from ongoing mining operations which <br />have been previously addressed under the discussion of Surface and Ground Water Quality. <br />Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: <br />Proposed Action; Given that no aquatic community exists within or in close proximity to the proposed lease <br />modification area and that no surface disturbance, other than minor subsidence effects, is proposed or <br />contemplated in conjunction with the proposed coal lease modification, there would be no impact on aquatic <br />resources. No impact. <br />Alternative ~ Given that no aquatic community exists within or in close proximity to the proposed lease <br />modification area and that no additional surface or underground disturbance would occur under the No-Action <br />Alternative. there would be no impact on aquatic resources. No impact. <br />Signature of specialist Jim Ferguson <br />WILDLIFE, TERRESTRIAL <br />fleeted Environment: The dominant Mountain Shrub community within the proposed lease modification area <br />supports a variety of wildlife species adapted to the elevation range and habitat conditions characteristic of this <br />vegetation type. This area includes summer and winter range for mule deer and winter range for elk. Black bear and <br />mountain lion may also utilize the area although i[ is probably not preferred habitat due to both exposure and proximity <br />to human activity. A variety of smaller mammals and avian species, including raptors, may also utilize the area. <br />Detailed discussions of wildlife habitat values and species occurrence and use are presented in the Somerset, Sanbom <br />Creek, and Elk Creek Mines -Mining and Reclamation Plan (CDMG Permit No. C-S1-022). <br />Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: <br />Proposed etion: Pro os cti n: Because no surface disturbance, other than minor subsidence effects, <br />is proposed or contemplated in conjunction with the proposed coal lease modification, it is not anticipated that <br />existing wildlife habitat or resources would be disturbed or impacted and the study area would not be affected <br />relative [o the wildlife portion of Standard 3. No impact. <br />Alternative A` Because no additional surface or underground disturbance would occur under the No-Action <br />Alternative, existing wildlife resources would not be disturbed or impacted. No impact. <br />Signature of specialist: Jim Ferguson <br />NON-CRITICAL ELEMENTS <br />ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION <br />ffecte Environment: The only direct surface access to the proposed lease modification area is via State Highway <br />133 to [he Oxbow operations area, on mine roads to Old State I-lighway 133, then on unimproved Four-wheel-drive <br />exploration or powerline access roads to the site. The unimproved access roads are very steep, are not maintained on <br />a regular basis, and may be impassable due to rock falls, minor slides, or muddy conditions. The associated coal <br />reserves can be readily accessed from Oxbow's existing Sanborn Creek underground mine workings via the Sanborn <br />Creek Mine portals. All employees and materials and supplies necessary to support ongoing mining operations are <br />transported to the mine via State Highway 133. <br />Coal from the existing Sanborn Creek Mine operations and any future operations in [he proposed lease modification <br />area is or would be transported from the mine by the existing underground and surface conveyor systems to Oxbow's <br />existing Elk Creek coal stockpile and batch-weigh loadout. At the loadout, coal is loaded into unit [rains on a Union <br />Pacific spur line and the coal is transported to market by rail, with the coal trains traveling to the west on [he North <br />-12- <br />