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retention of surface runoff waters proposed for the lease tract, it is estimated that coal leasing and <br />subsequent mining would result in an estimated minimum one acre foot of water depletion annually. The <br />Service, through formal consultation with BLM and USFS, has issued a Programmatic Biological Opinion <br />for water depletions in Colorado for less than 125 acre feet, suggesting conservation measures to offset <br />jeopardy to these fishes and their critical habitats caused by water depletion. <br />Cultural Resources <br />Impacts to cultural resources could occur if future surface disturbances are proposed. These potential <br />impacts can be mitigated by apre-activity cultural resource inventory prior to surface disturbance. <br />Water Resources <br />Coal extraction or the resultant subsidence of overburden could disrupt and drain ground water systems <br />associated with the Mesaverde Formation, quaternary deposits, or the local fault systems. <br />Surface effects from subsidence could alter surface flow patterns or intercept surface runoff waters. The <br />severity of surface subsidence would be greatest where the shallowest overburden occurs. <br />These impacts will be mitigated by the mine plan review process. The mine and reclamation plan will <br />require the lessee, before issuance of the mine permit, to inventory all adjudicated water rights to <br />quantify water sources (surface vs. ground water), water quantity, and water quality. If, as a result of <br />mining activities, disruption to water quality or quantity occurs to any of these water sources las <br />determined by comparing inventory data to post mining conditions), the lessee will be responsible for <br />rectification of the disruption. <br />Socioeconomics <br />Leasing federal lands would not affect the annual level of coal production. Consequently, there would be <br />no immediate impact on local employment income or public revenues. However, the use of the federal <br />lease extends the mine life by 10 years which means the income and employment effects of the mine <br />would be for a longer period. At the estimated production level of 4.0 million tons per year of federal <br />coal, 210 employees would be needed io mine the coal. In 1993, the mine employed 189 people. The <br />mine presently employs 210 people. <br />B. Alternative Two - No Action <br />Environmental Consequences <br />There are no known additional impacts to the following resources: climate, air quality, recreation, soils, <br />mineral resources, water resources, vegetation, wildlife, land use, cultural or visual resources. If the <br />lease is not granted, there is a high likelihood that the coal would never be mined. In that case, this <br />alternative would result in a loss of production to the nation of 37 million tons of coal. <br />If the coal in the proposed lease area is mined at another date, it would be done at a higher cost due to <br />the need for reentry. While the economic benefits of Alternative One might still be enjoyed, they would <br />be achieved at a higher cost and hence, less efficiently. Or the bypassed coal may never be mined due <br />to technical difficulties and economic constraints. <br />There are no Mitigation Measures or Residual Impacts resulting from Alternative Two. <br />C. Cumulative Impacts <br />Cumulative impacts from Alternative One are expected to be insignificant due to the existing mining <br />activity in the North Fork Valley, the small lease acreage and small amount of expected surface <br />disturbance. <br />Page 14 <br />