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<br />CHAPTERFOUR <br />Enuironmentall:onseguences , <br />camping, hiking, etc. would temporarily create receptors within 500 feet of field operations who <br />would be exposed to noise levels above the significant impact threshold. However, these <br />potential noise effects would not be considered significant due to the temporary :nature pf <br />exposure. <br />4.6.2.2 Accelerated DevelopmentAltemative <br />The Accelerated Development Alternative would involve accelerated commercial-scale solution <br />mine development of project facilities. This alternative would feature an acceleration in the <br />number of solution mining wells that would be drilled, completed, and operated .3t any given <br />time. Therefore, the number of noise sources (with 500-foot radii of potential impact distance) <br />would substantially increase. However, the cumulative level of noise ut dB(A) would not <br />cumulatively increase at any particular source. Impacts from construction and operation would <br />be similaz to those from the Proposed Action. <br />Impacts of Construction and Operation -Piceance Site <br />The size of the initial processing plant at the Piceance Site would be increased compared with the <br />Proposed Action, to accommodate the increased volume of nahcolite extraction. The <br />Accelerated Development Alternative would require the construction and operation of three <br />process systems and three heat exchanger units, compazed with one of each for the Proposed <br />Action. These additional buildings would be constructed within the same 6.5 acre fenced area <br />described for the Proposed Action. <br />Access roads serving the Piceance Site, including the processing plant and well field, would be <br />the same as described for the Proposed Action. <br />Noise impacts from construction (i.e., drilling activities) and operation (i.e., field operations) <br />would be similaz to those described with the Proposed Action. <br />Impacts of Construction and Operation -Product Pipeline <br />This alternative would utilize the same product pipeline and water return line des~~ribed for the <br />Proposed Action. Auxiliary pump stations would be required on each pipeline because of the <br />increased production of nahcolite, circulation of process solution and return water. Due to their <br />remote location, the pump stations would be unmanned. In addition, each pump station would <br />feature a pump building. <br />Consequently, there would be minimal noise impacts from the auxiliary pumps, due to their <br />remote location, and insulation from the pump building. <br />Impacts of Construction and Operation -Parachute Site <br />The size of the new processing plant under this alternative would be approximately triple the size <br />of the plant described for the Proposed Action. The size of the new processing plant would be <br />increased to accommodate the lazger scale soda ash production. However, many of the same <br />existing Unocal buildings would be used under this alternative. <br />4-36 Noise <br />