GENERAL32227 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Executlue Summary NAAQS/CAAQS. However, Class II increments may be exceeded at this level of development, and it is reasonable to assume a separate Accelerated Development Alternative cumulative regional haze impact analysis would exceed 1.0 deciview at the Flat Tops and other wilderness azeas. Noise. All three action alternatives would cause increases in noise during construction and operation from vehicles, heavy equipment, well drilling, processing facilities, and well field operation. Estimated noise levels would be within Industrial Zone standards onsite and would be attenuated by distance offsite. Trucks (associated with existing operating facilities) presently travel along both County Road 215 and Piceance Creek Road. Heavy truck traffic related to the Yankee Gulch Project would increase the frequency of noise events affecting residences located along both routes. The impacts are not considered significant because the number of affected receptors is limited, the additional traffic would cause only an increase to the frequency of disturbance (and not an increase in the level of disturbance), and each noise event would be temporary, relatively short in duration, and not sudden. Operation of the rail spur at the Parachute Site would fall below the state permissible daytime and nighttime Industrial Zone noise levels, The Agency Preferred Alternative also includes using the rail spur to haul construction equipment and supplies. Vegetation. For the Proposed Action, 1,562.5 acres of vegetation would be removed or disturbed during construction and operations. Disturbed azeas would be reclaimed, and successful revegetation is expected to take 3 to 5 years. Restoration of big game browse species may take longer than 5 years, and impacts to 660 acres of pinyon juniper woodland and chained pinyon juniper would be a long-tens impact. Vegetation impacts would be significant if revegetation were unsuccessful. Significant impacts from noxious weeds are unlikely. Impacts of the Accelerated Development Alternative would be similar, with a slight increase in affected azea, but the duration of project activities would be reduced to 10 years. Under the Agency Preferred Alternative, long- and short-term loss of vegetation would slightly increase compazed with the Proposed Action. Impacts associated with the disturbance of vegetation would be reduced through the retention ofhigher-density stands of pinyon juniper and through revegetation techniques identified in the Wildlife Mitigation Plan. The Agency Preferred Alternative includes more detailed description of revegetation procedures. Potential impacts from noxious weeds would be reduced. Wildlife. For the Proposed Action, construction at the Piceance Site would remove about 553 acres of foraging and thermal cover within mule deer critical winter range. Mule deer would also be displaced from areas of human activity, which would result in a loss of 953 to 1,613 acres of habitat during the life of the project. Above-ground pipe racks and other facilities would interfere with mule deer migratory movements through the mine panels, and there would be increased mortality from collisions with vehicles. Pipeline constmction would cause short-term loss of forage production. Some inactive raptor nests within the mine panels would either be removed or would remain in place but in unsuitable habitat. Waterfowl would be attracted and may suffer injury or mortality at saline evaporation ponds; effects would be monitored and mitigation (such as netting) would be implemented if needed to address the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Effects of the Accelerated Development Alternative would be similaz, except that adverse impacts would be concentrated into a shorter period of time, the area of mule deer ES-5