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Pikeview Quarry -Decision Notice and FONSI <br />08/30/01 <br />Page 10 <br />Under the approved action (Alternative B) current air quality and noise levels would <br />be extended for an additional 4 to 7 years due to: (1) proposed layback on both forest <br />and private lands; and (2) additional mining in private lands due to slope stabilization. <br />Similarly, the impacts of the proposed project on traffic, responsible for the <br />generation 9f noise and of emission of carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter <br />(PMZ S) from fuel combustion, at the mine site and along. the gravel distribution routes <br />would be extended for an additional 4 to 7 years. Blasting frequency would double <br />from an average of one time per week over one year's time to an average of two times <br />per week over one year's time. This increase is directly related to the sculpting of the <br />reclaimed s'opes proposed under the layback alternative. <br />All the above impacts would occur during the operation and reclamation of the <br />quarry, and would cease after completion of the reclamation activities. In the long <br />term, theSeclamation of the new and previous mining areas would contribute to an <br />improvement in the air quality in the area due to a reduction in wind erosion from <br />exposed soils. <br />Several additional issues and concerns were identified by letters written to the Forest <br />Service in rgsponse to the 30 day public review process for the Environmental <br />Assessment. Letters were received from the Colorado Division of Wildlfe, Colorado <br />Commission of Indian Affairs, Colorado State Forest Service and from Mr. John <br />Himmelreich, Jr. Additional issues and responses to them are as follows: <br />1. The Colorado Comrission of Indian Affairs generally prefers avoidance of <br />ground disturbing activities but recognizes the benefits of the layback to restore <br />slope stability, plant communities and natural habitat to the quarry area. The <br />Commission did, however, recommend that the U.S. Forest Service conduct <br />pedestrian a{chaeological surveys of the project area prior to excavation activities, <br />and that a monitor be present to identify cultural materials potentially unearthed <br />during reclamation activities. <br />Several Forest Service employees did participate in the field archeological studies <br />conducted by Dr. Andrea I. Gerstle prior to prepazation of the Environmental <br />Assessment. The entire 26 acres which could potentially be impacted by the <br />project were surveyed and nothing of concern was noted by the field crew. These <br />results are given in Appendix B.1 of the EA Excavation will be monitored by the <br />permit ~d7rmristrator for the Forest Service and work will be stopped if any <br />cultural or historical items are unearthed. <br />2. The Colorado Division of Wildlife expressed two concerns about the project. The <br />first relates to a recent Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep death that recently <br />occurred at Queens Quarry. The cause of death remains unknown, but the sheep <br />had a ball of weed bamer matting in its stomach that could have been a <br />contributing factor. The Forest Service will work with Castle Concrete to find a <br />substitute for the matting. <br />The second concern expressed by the Division of Wildlife was that the species of <br />planted material and numbers planted per acre might not provide for the most <br />