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• lithic scatter. Site number SRT345 is an eligible rock shelter in <br /> the Twentymile Sandstone cliffs. Over 80 figures of rock art exist <br /> on the back wal l of the shelter as wall ae stratified occupation <br /> layers exposed in a hole dug by collectors. <br />The rock art indicates that site SRT3d5 may hold significance for <br />Native American religious concerns to the Ute or Shoshone tribes. <br />Paleontoloov <br />The Williams Pork Formatton ie considered to have high potential <br />for discovery of scientifically significant fossils. Armstrong and <br />Wolney (1989) considered this to be a Class Ia formation: <br />scientifically significant fossils are frequently found. Dinosaurs <br />and other vertebrates, ae well as significant fossil tracks and <br />plants have been found in this formation. A fossilized sea turtle <br />was found intact within the wedge coal seem of the Foidel creek <br />Mine on a private coal lease. This specimen ie now curated at a <br />museum. <br />Economics/Social Conditions <br />The affected area coneiete of Routt County and includes the <br />communities of Hayden, Steamboat Springs, Milner, Oak Creek, <br />Phippeburg, and Yampa. Routt County's economy is expected to show <br />mixed trends in the 1990s with continued tourist industry growth in <br />the Steamboat Springs area, but a declining trend in the smaller <br />communities ae some of the older coal deposits become depleted. <br />The economy is fairly diversified, its citizens working mostly in <br />• the coal mines, the ski industry and related industries in <br />Steamboat Springs, the Hayden power plant, the railroad yards in <br />Phippeburg, and in construction projects around the area (Bureau of <br />Land Management, 1982). <br />Noise <br />The 1982 Fieh Creek Tract Profile and Site Specific Analysis <br />(Bureau of Land Management, 1982) said that the existing noise <br />environment coneiete of sounds from a natural, undeveloped <br />environment as well ae background noise from surface mining <br />operations, including the railroad and county road traffic adjacent <br />to the area. Noise levels on tract were estimated to be 35-55 <br />decibels (dB). A noise level of 50 dB ie considered to be the <br />threshold for uncomfortable noise for humane. Since 1982, surface <br />mining in the vicinity of the tract has ended and the reclamation <br />phase is all but finished; however, the surface facilities (tipple, <br />railroad, county road, etc.) have remained. A bleeder fan may have <br />to be installed for mine underground ventilation purposes. <br />Visual Resources <br />She area has vegetative and topographic variety which ie common <br />throughout the vicinity. The proposed lease area and view shed <br />includes a paved county road and adjacent utility corridor, ae well <br />ae the surface facilities for the Energy Strip Mines and the Foidel <br />Creek Mine. These surface facilities include the tipple, railroad, <br />offices, shop and surface mined land in various stages of <br />reclamation. <br />• <br />11 <br />