GENERAL32227 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CNAPTERTWO agency Preferred luterna~ve EIS. Based on discussions with Rio Blanco County, the layout of the 15-20A year mine panel was slightly reduced to avoid overlapping with the Yellow Creek Jeep Trail. To provide temporary access to the Piceance Site before the main access road is completed, the Yellow Creek Jeep Trail would be used for truck and commuter access from the south. This approximately 3-mile stretch of road would be used for a maximum of 90 days during the initial months of the construction phase. • In response to the recommendation of the USFWS, the 13-acre evaporation pond would be netted to eliminate potential impacts to migratory birds. American Soda would monitor salinity concentrations within the ponds. Pipeline There have been minor changes in the pipeline route between the Piceance Site and the Pazachute Site. These route changes aze intended to avoid steep terrain in Hatch Gulch, to avoid bottomlands and reduce impacts on a private ranching operation neaz the mouth of Stewart Gulch, and to avoid a riparian zone along the Middle Fork of Pazachute Creek. Figure 2-1 (modified) displays the new route and identifies locations where the alignment has changed. Overall length and acres of disturbance are approximately the same as the Proposed Action (approximately 44 miles long; 267 acres of long-term disturbance). • The pipeline ROW, to be issued by the BLM, would be fora 50-foot ROW with temporary use permits allowing up to 125-foot total width. During construction, the entire 125-foot- wide ROW could be disturbed. Topsoil would be salvaged from the disturbed area. There would be 45 temporary use azeas rather than " 20 to 25." There would be S laydown azeas rather than "up to 6." The revised text from the Draft EIS reflecting these modifications is included in Chapter 5.0 of this Final EIS. • A truck with fire-fighting capabilities would be present during pipeline construction to min;mi~e fire danger. Parachute Site • American Soda has completed the purchase of the Unocal Shale Oil Upgrade Facility and associated water rights. • The proposed cooling tower at the Parachute Site, discussed in Section 2.2.3 of the Draft EIS, has been eliminated. The process equipment would be air cooled. • The 15-acre evaporation pond and 21-acre MVR purge pond would be re-configured and netted per the recommendation of the USFWS to eliminate potential impacts to migratory buds. • American Soda intends to use the proposed reactivated rail spur for hauling construction- related equipment and supplies to the Parachute Site in order to reduce truck traffic on County Road 215. Assuming that the rail spur is pemutted and that it takes 4 to 6 months to build the rail spur and its protective signaling equipment, the rail spur should be operational for construction equipment and supply hauling azound September 1999. 2-3