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Pikeview Cjnarry-Decision Notice and FONSI 08/30/01 erosion control. The importance of this additional effort and the relatively small implementation costs led to its inclusion in all the alternatives evaluated in detail, except for the No Action Alternative. Therefore the proposed layback without enhanced reclamation was not analyzed further The alternatives analyzed in detail in the EA are summarized below: Alternative A is the no action alternative. Under the No Action alternative, the Forest Service would not authorize the implementation of the proposed action, and the Special Use Application submitted by Castle Concrete would be denied. The mining activity would continue for about 5 to 8 years, and reclamation of some areas in the quarry would be implemented according to the base reclamation plan already permitted by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG). This alternative does not include enhanced reclamation in the currently permitted mining areas. The estimated 6 million tons of limestone left in the quarry would be sold at a rate defined by market demand. Currently production averages 1 million tons per year. Alternative B is the proposed action submitted by Castle Concrete. Under the proposed action, the applicant would expand the quarry to occupy up to 26 acresz of National Forest System land in order to lay back the top cut and implement enhanced reclamation. The proposed layback operation (also referred to as west reclamation) would occyr in addition to the current Pikeview Quarry reclamation in akeady permitted mining areas. It would allow the reclamation of the currently steep. slopes on the west side of the quarry thus improving their stability and the mining of additional materials close to the steep slopes that currently remain inaccessible due to safety issues. Current operations and production levels would continue and the overall life of the mine, including mining and reclamation, would be extended fi-om about 5 to 8 years to about 12 years. Mining would continue for about 10 years and reclamation would continue until 2 years after the conclusion of the mining operations. Current operations include 20 to 25 employees, working Monday through Saturday from lam to Spm. After reclamation, it is anticipated that the steep slopes on private land (quarry back walls) would become open space. The primary post-mining land use identified in the proposed plan for that area is wildlife habitat. The applicant is considering the reclamation of the lower (flat) areas of the mine for light industrial use but no definite development plan exists at the present time. 2 Although the applicant would have 26 acres available (or the layback operation, current mrnuig plans indicate that only about 13 acres would b: needed. In addiuon to the 13 acres dvectly a[iected by the layback, part of the permined area would be used to stockpile topsoil