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TABLE 2 <br />POPULATION OF TOWNS 1N DELTA COUNTY <br />TOWN 1980 1990 PERCENTAGE <br />CHANGE <br />CEDAREDGE 1,184 1,380 +17 <br />CRAWFORD 268 221 -1 S <br />DELTA 3,931 3,789 - 4 <br />HOTCHKISS 855 744 -13 <br />ORCHARD CITY 1,914 2,218 +16 <br />PAONIA 1,425 1,403 - 2 <br />Housing Vacancy Rates for Delta County have decreased from 14.23 in 1980 to 7.09 in 1988. Vacancy <br />rates of less than 10 percent can be indicative of a housing shortage. It should be kept in mind that the <br />rates do not indicate either physical condition or whether the units are available year around or <br />seasonally. <br />The unemployment rates for Delta County in the middle 19B0's were around 10 percent. The rate for <br />1991 has been around 5.4 percent. This rate indicates that local workers would be available to fill new <br />jobs. <br />A socioeconomic survey of Delta County residents was conducted in 1981 concerning their perceptions <br />and ideas about energy-related growth; these concerns may still be true. In general, respondents felt <br />that clean air and scenery should not be sacrificed to meet the country's energy needs. Most agreed <br />that the costs of growth related to energy production should not be borne by tfie residents and that <br />increased job opportunities were seen as a positive benefit resulting from energy development. Same <br />saw increased crime as a possible adverse effect of energy development. <br />K. Soils <br />The dominant soils in the subject area are Beenom-Absarokee Assn., (20 to 60°h slopesl, Broad Canyon- <br />Cool-Scout family complex, 15-25°,6 slopesl, Haploborolls-Ustochrepts-Rock outcrop complex (40 to 99°h <br />slopesl and Herm-Fughes complex (5 to 25°,6 slopesl. From USDA Soil Conservation Surveys, Paonia <br />Survey, 1981 and Grand Mesa Survey, unpublished, 1994. Amore detailed description of the soils on <br />the proposed lease tract is contained in the Mountain Coal Company West Elk Mine and Reclamation <br />Plan. <br />L. Recreation <br />The lease application area supports various forms of dispersed recreation opportunities. Big game <br />hunting is the most dominant recreation activity in the area, with sightseeing being a popular subordinate <br />activity. <br />IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br />The impacts to air quality, climate, vegetation, soils, visual resources and land use were found to be <br />negligible, and therefore were not analyzed further. <br />Page 12 <br />