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Fork Branch through the communities of Paonia, Hotchkiss, and Delta to the point where the branch line joins the Union Pacific main line near Grand Junction. Both the existing; highway and rail access are adequate without modification ro handle current traffic levels associated with ongoing coal mining and related operations. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: Proposed Action: The proposed action would not require any additional surface access to the proposed lease modification area but would result in leasing and subsequent mining of additional coal reserves. Therefore, the life of the ongoing Sanborn Creek mining operations would be extended by approximately 3 [0 4 months and current transportation impacts associated with these operations would continue for the duration of active mining. These impacts would include all impacts and effects associated with rail, truck, and light vehicle traffic on the Union Pacific North Fork Branch and State 1-Ighway l33 such as traffic levels, safety, noise, emergency access. and other considers[ions. Under the Proposed Action, mine production, employment, and shipment levels would rernain stable at current levels. so transportation requirements would not increase. Impact limited to extended duration of zxisting impacts. Alternative ~ Approval of the No Action Alternative would not result in an extension of the mine life by approximately 3 to 4 months. The only difference be[ween the Proposed Action and the No-Action alternatives would be the duration of impacts. Under :he No-Action Altemative, mining and related transportation impacts would continue until the available coal reserves are dzpleted. No impact. Signature of specialist: Lynn Lewis CLIMATE fleeted Environment: The climate of the area is influenced by both local topography and regional climatic patterns. Warm, moist air masses from the Gulf of Mexico moving to the northeast drop most of their moisture in the southern mountains, with limited moisture reaching the Grand and North For}:Valleys. These same air masses tend to deflect moist air masses from the Pacific to the north, resulting in the relatively temperate but semi-arid climate of this area. During the winter, the Pacific air masses are reinforced by stronger seasonal arctic air masses and are deflected further to the south, resulting in increased snowfall precipitation in the area. Surface winds generally follow the alignment of the Notth Fork Valley, with cool air (winter, night, and early morning) flowing down-valley and warmer air (summer, day-time, and evening) flowing up-valley. .overage wired-speed is moderate to strong a[ 3.6 meters per second. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: P osed cti n: The Proposed ,fiction will not impact or be affected by climatic conditions. No impact. Alternative 4 The No-Action Altemative will not impact or be affected by climatic conditions. No impact. Signature of specialist: Lynn Lewis FOREST MANAGEMENT e to Environment: The proposed lease modification area does not include any forested lands and is, therefore, not subject to forestry uses or management. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: sed ti :Given that no forested lands exist within the subject area, there would be no impact. No impact. -13-