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enclosures and the use of sound absorbing materials. Impact limited to extended duration of existing impacts. Alternative A: The No-Action Al[ema[ive would not result in any incremental or continuing noise impacts. No impact. Signature of specialist: Lynn Lewis RANGE MANAGEMENT fected Environment: The proposed coal lease modification area is characterized by relatively steep terrain with well drained, moderately deep soils and the mountain shrub vegetation type. Available forage in this plant community is mostly oak and serviceberry with various native grasses. The affected area lies within the Coal Gulch Grazing Allotment. which is administered by the BLbI. This allotment is grazed by sheep, typically between May IS and November l5 each year. Hotchkiss Ranches, the current permittee, is authorized for the grazing use of 399 sheep AUMs. Water sources consist of intermittent drainages and springs. There are two existing livestock/wildlife ~{~-> reservoirs located near the affected area. ~j" Environmental Consequences & R~itigation: Proposed Action: Because no surface disturbance, other than minor subsidence effects, is proposed or contemplated in conjunction with the proposed coal lease modification, it is no[ anticipated that ongoing grazing activities would be impacted. Developed water sources exist near the lease modification area. However, based on previous subsidence evaluations, surface subsidence effects would be negligible due to overburden thicknesses averaging 2,500 feet in this area and any minor surface subsidence effects would not affect surface drainages which might supply a seasonal water source for livestock. No impact. Alternative ~: Since no additional surface or underground disturbance would occur under the No-Action Alternative, ongoing grazing activities would not be affected. No impact. Signature of specialisr.• Kun Kubic RECREATION ff cted Environment: As a component of the larger surrounding area, the proposed lease modification area has the potential to be utilized for a range of dispersed recreational activities. Because this area is characterized by relatively steep inaccessible terrain, actual recreational uses are probably limited to hunting and hiking. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: Proposed etion: Because no surface disturbance, other than minor subsidence effects, is proposed or contemplated in conjunction with the proposed coal lease modification, it is not anticipated that any recreational use would be impacted. No impact. Alternative ~ Since no additional surface or underground disturbance would occur under the No-Action Alternative, recreational uses would not be affected. No impact. Signature of specialist: Knren Tucker VISUAL RESOURCES ff c e Environment: The proposed coal lease modification and surrounding areas are relatively undeveloped rural areas with cliff and valley vistas common along the length of [he North Fork Valley. The area has been designated as a Visual Resource Management Class II azea with the objective of retaining the existing character of the landscape. I6-