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Ex~ecutlue Summary <br />Socioeconomics. Available housing would be sufficient to accommodate construction workers <br />and operations personnel under the Proposed Action and Agency Preferred Altemative, although <br />some individuals may need to drive farther to work than preferred, and some operators may be <br />forced to choose an apartment or mobile home rather than a house. Strong p~~sitive economic <br />effects would be generated by worker salaries, per diem payments, and local purchases of <br />equipment and supplies. Several Garfield County schools may have inadequate space for non- <br />local children of construction workers. Public schools in Rio Blanco County would have <br />adequate capacity. The project would contribute substantial revenues to various local, state and <br />federal government entities through taxes and royalties, including property tier revenue, federal <br />mineral lease royalties, sales and use tax revenues, and severance tax. IVlino~ity populations aze <br />smaller than statewide averages and would not be disproportionately affectefl by the project <br />(envirotunental justice). The Accelerated Development Altemative would require a larger <br />conshuction and operations work force. Available local housing supplies would be exceeded <br />during construction, and workers would have to drive farther to reach work. The demand for <br />public services would also be greater during construction, and capacity in several Garfield <br />County schools would likely be exceeded. Greater economic benefits would occw on an annual <br />basis but for a shorter duration. <br />Transportation. During the 18-month construction period, the level of vehicle traffic would <br />vary and would consist of workers commuting to the job site and trucks hauling equipment and <br />supplies. Traffic volumes aze projected to temporarily increase over current levels due to <br />construction activities at the Piceance and Parachute Sites and along the pipeline corridor by <br />approximately 2 percent along State Highway (SH) 64; 8 percent along SH 13; 157 percent along <br />Piceance Creek Road south of the Piceance Site and 80 percent north of the site; 95 percent along <br />Parachute Creek Road; and 3 percent along Interstate 70 (I-70). These incre~>sed traffic volumes <br />would not change the Level of Service (LOS) for any affected road. Over th~~ operating life of <br />the project, the greatest impacts on increased traffic volumes would be along Piceance Creek <br />Road and Parachute Creek Road, with projected increases of 41 percent and 32 percent, <br />respectively. There would be no significant change to the LOS on these roads. Operations- <br />related traffic effects would be long term and would last throughout the life of the project. Under <br />the Accelerated Development Altemative, traffic volumes would increase compazed to the <br />Proposed Action due to a doubling of the work force for both construction at~d operation <br />activities. The roads have sufficient capacity to accommodate futwe traffic increases without a <br />decrease in LOS through the yeaz 2010 and probably longer. The Agency Preferred Alternative <br />would be similaz to the Proposed Action, but truck traffic volume during construction at the <br />Parachute Site may be reduced by use of the rail spw. <br />Hazardous Materials. Accidental spills and pipeline ruptures may occur, but they would be <br />cleaned up, and the contaminated soils would be disposed of or rehabilitated in accordance with <br />federal and state regulations. Standard safety precautions would be followed. All solid waste <br />would be properly recycled or disposed of in an approved landfill. Project operations would <br />comply with all relevant federal and state laws regarding hazazdous material;>, and no significant <br />impacts are expected. Impacts would be similaz for the three action alternatives. However, the <br />Spill Contingency Plan provided in the Pipeline Plan of Development and the Well Field <br />Response Plan, as well as other response plans, would provide additional protection under the <br />Agency Preferred Altemative. <br />ES-8 <br />