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• Brown and Cuacninge, 1992). An arcuate rock failure zone ie an area along the cliff where joints intersect, making mass wasting of the sandstone more likely. According to Rosa-Brown and Cummings, "The arcuate failure in Zone 6 ie at the treat of the cliff and shows evidence of incipient movement. It posse a hazard because it can be reactivated." (pp. 12 & 13) The authors also state, "The analysis indicates that the joint orientations have the potential for creating unstable blocks and wedges in Hazard Zones 5 and 6....Mininq can be expected to lower the cliff three or four feet. In our professional judgement, this disturbance ie likely to increase the continuity of existing joints and create new joints. This has the potential to lead to a large number of block and wedge failures." From the above discussion, it is concluded that the stratified sediments in the rockehelter are in some danger of being affected by mining. Hass wasting of tha sandstone cliff could destroy the entire rockehelter. Whether or not the fill of the rockehelter will be affected by mining cannot be stated with certainty. If nothing ie done to mitigate the potential damage to the stratified deposits and damage dose occur, then an eligible archaeological Bite will have been impacted without prior mitigation. Sufficient excavation must be completed to answer basic questions such ae: When was the rockehelter occupied? What cultural group or groups occupied the rockehelter? What activities were carried out at the rockehelter? A mitigation plan for the rockehelter will be developed by the lessee and submitted for review and approval. If CWCC consults with the Ute and Shoshone tribes about possible • Native American religious concerns at site SRT345 and mitigates impacts to the site to the satisfaction of the tribes, no significant adverse impacts would occur. Paleontolow No significant disturbance ie expected to occur to any foeeile that may be on or near the surface, therefore a surface survey is not required for paleontological resources. There ie potential for scientifically significant foeeile to be found within the roof, floor, or coal of the seem to be mined. If ouch foeeile are found, the information gained would be a beneficial impact to the science of paleontology. If any foeeile that might be found were destroyed or not reported and curated, it would be an adverse impact that could be significant. This adverse impact would be mitigated to an acceptable level if the operator would cease activity in the vicinity of the fossil location and notify the authorized officer immediately upon discovery. Economic/Social Conditions Issuance of this lease will add 3-5 years to the overall mine life, allowing the continued employment of nearly 500 people. This would benefit local businesses. The proposed action would bring additional royalty revenue to the United States, State of Colorado, and Aoutt County. Issuance of this lease would be a beneficial impact to the economic and social conditions of the area. • 15