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CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences <br />The shorter duration of the project is the other major difference between the Accelerated <br />Development Alternative and the Proposed Action. Under this altemative, the dtvation of <br />impacts to vegetation resources would be reduced to 10 years. However, the amount of <br />disturbance at any point in time would be greater than under the Proposed Action, which could <br />have greater impacts to wildlife habitat, particulazly for mule deer. Impacts to w~~odlands and <br />shrublands would still be mid-term to long term; however, that point in the future: at which the <br />disturbed azeas would be regenerated to their potential natural communities would be about 20 <br />yeazs sooner than under the Proposed Action. <br />All other impacts, mitigation measures and reclamation activities would be the same as described <br />for the Proposed Action. <br />4.7.2.3 No Action Alternative <br />Under this altemative, mining activities at the experimental test mine facility wotdd likely cease. <br />There would be no additional vegetation disturbance, and no further impacts would occur. <br />Existing facilities would be dismantled, and the predominantly sagebrush and grassland <br />communities would be reclaimed according to the reclamation measures described in the <br />previously approved 1997 Test Mine Plan (Steigers 1997). <br />4.7.3 Mitigation and Monitoring <br />No additional mitigation or monitoring is recommended. <br />4.7.4 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts <br />Short- and long-term removal and disturbance of vegetation would occur under both action <br />alternatives and cannot be avoided. A permanent reduction in the azea of natural ~~egetation <br />communities would only occur if any project roads were maintained after project closure. <br />4.8 WILDLIFE <br />4.8.1 Introduction <br />Several project features would affect wildlife, especially removal of vegetation, construction of <br />temporary and permanent facilities, increased human activity and traffic, and use .if lazge <br />evaporation ponds. These may affect wildlife in various ways, including direct mortality or <br />injury (such as deer collisions with vehicles), short- or long-term losses of overall habitat and <br />specific habitat components, displacement, and changes in the availability of different types of <br />food. <br />4-44 Vegetation <br /> <br />