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Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: 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 not anticipated that implementation of the Proposed Action would result in any visual impacts. No impact. Alternative ~ Since no additional surface or underground disturbance would occur under the No-Action Alternative, no visual impact would occur. No impact. Signature of specinlisr: Kcrrett Tucker SOCIOECONOMICS Affected Environment: Oxbow's ongoing mining operations, which would include any future mining resulting from the lease modification, provide employment for approximately L75 full-time employees and 0 to 30 contractor employees; are a direct source of revenue for local businesses throu:;h purchases of materials, supplies, and services; are an indirect source of revenue for area businesses through employee purchases; and contribute major federal, state, county, and local tax revenues. Oxbow is also active in supporting local charitable organizations and activities. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: o ed cti n:. The Proposed Action 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 to 4 months and current socioeconomic benefits and impacts associated with these operations would continue for the duration of active mining. Benefits include continued employment, mine expenditures, and generation of tax revenues. Impacts include requirements for housing, schools, and social and public services. An additional socioeconomic benefit specific to the: Proposed Action would be the supplemental coal lease and royalty payments realized from leasing and subsequent production of the associated coal reserves, a portion of which would be returned to state and local governments. Impacts limited to extended duration of existing benefits and impacts and incremental leasing and royalty payments. Alternative ~ Approval of the No Action Alternative would not result in an extension of the mine life by approximately 3 to 4 months. Under the No-Action Alternative, leasing would not occur in the modification area and the associated lease and royalty revenues would not be realized. Impacts would be limited to reduced duration of existing benefits and impacts and the loss of incremental leasing and royalty payments. Signature of specialist.• Lynn Lewis CUMULATIVE IMPACTS The Proposed Action would increase the available minable coal reserve base, result in a corresponding increment in the total amount of coal produced, and slightly extend the duration ongoing coal mining operations. These direct effects would tend to extend both the overall benefits and impacts associated with ongoing coal mining operations for a period of approximately 3 to 4 months: Given the limited incremer..tal coal reserves involved and the relatively short time period over which cumulative impacts could be extended, any cumulative impacts associated with the Proposed Action would be negligible. Negligible cumulative impact. In order to make a preliminary determination of whether the proposed coal lease modification and potential associated environmental impacts should be evaluated under an EA or the more extensive and rigorous Environmental impact (EIS) process, the BLM considered a number of factors. These factors included; 1) The proposed action would occur as a modification of an existing lease and, as proposed, is consistent with the applicable provisions of 43 CFR 3432; 2) The need for a timely determination on the lease modification application in order to avoid bypass of the subject coal reserves as ongoing mining operations progress to the west: and 3) Potential related environmental impacts are l7-