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CRITICAL ELEMENTS AIR QUALITY Affected Environment: Air quality for this area is typical of undt:veloped areas of the western United States. Air quality and visibility are generally good, with this area designated as a Class II area with air quality meeting all applicable federal and state Ambiznt Air Quality Standards. There: are presently no major stationary sources of air pollution in the immediate vicinity. The nearest Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Class I areas (areas where minimal deterioration of air quality is allowed) aze the Wet;t Elk Wilderness Area (approximately 10 miles south-southeast) and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (approximately 26 miles southwest). Coal dust from coal handling, stockpiling, and loading operations and wind-blown dust from surface disturbance areas and truck traffic are the primary mining-related emission sources. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: Proposed Action: Because no surface disturbance is pr~~posed or contemplated in conjunction with the proposed coal lease modification, no incremental adverse air emission impacts are an[icipated. The Proposed Action would result in leasing and subsequent mining of ;tdditional coal reserves, therefore, the life of the ongoing Sanborn Creek mining operations would be extended by approximately 3 to 4 months and current air quality impacts associated with these operations would continue for the duration of active mining. These impacts would include coal dust and wind-blown dust emissions from the mining-related sources. These emissions are controlled by operational measures such as etluipment and conveyor enclosures and the use of wa[er sprays during dry periods. They are also regulated and monitored under air emission permits issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment -Air Pollution Control Division (CDPHE-.4PCD) to assure continuing compliance with applicable air emission limitations and permit conditions. Impact limited to extended duration of existing impacts. Alternative A: Because the Proposed Action would not result in any incremental impacts, the only difference between the Proposed Action and the No-Action alternatives would be the duration of impacts. Approval of the proposed lease modification would extend the mine life try approximately 3 to 4 months, and the No-Action Alternative would not extend the mine life. Under the No-,fiction Alternative, mining and related air quality impacts would continue until the available coal reserves are depleted, with ongoing control, regulation, and monitoring of air emissions, as previously described. No impact. Signature of specialist: Lynn Lewis CULTURAL RESOURCES Affected Environment• Evidence exists in areas neaz the proposed lease modification area indicating both prehistoric and historic use of this area. Prehistoric uses, associated primarily with the Native American presence, were generally limited to lowland azeas adjacent to area drainages with scattered uses related to hunting and food-gathering occurring over a broader range of topographic and ecological associations. Evidence of historic uses in this general area is generally associated with mining and related residential and commercial development. Records indicate that three cultural resource inventories were conducted in the modification an:a. The 1979 survey covered the application area and the other two, surveyed in 1977 and 1981, were smaller. No cultural resource sites or values were identified by these surveys. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: Praoosed Action• Available information from cultural resource surveys does not indicate the presence of anyl known cultural resource values in the proposed lease modification area. No impact. / -5-