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The Fughes loam is a deep, well drained soil that formed in old <br />alluvial fans and landslide deposits. Surface runoff is rapid to <br />very rapid depending on slope. The hazard of erosion from wind is <br />• slight and from water is high. Mass wasting occurs on steeper <br />slopes, especially on disturbed areas. <br />The tract does not contain an alluvial valley floor. <br />IV. ENVIRONlSENTAL CONSEOSIENCES <br />The impacts to air quality, climate, vegetation, soils, visual <br />resources and land usa were found to be negligible, and therefore were <br />not analyzed further. <br />A. Alternative One - Proposed Action <br />Minerals <br />Subsidence could occur due to the extraction of coal on retreat <br />in the application area. The most likely showing on the surface <br />would be gradual lowering of the surface without any surface <br />disturbances such as tension cracks, although surface fractures <br />could occur. In addition, as a result of the requirement for the <br />quarterly monitoring of the area for subsidence and the greater <br />thickness of overburden, it is not anticipated that subsidence <br />would be evidenced. Bluffing at the outcrop could occur but <br />geologic conditions of the coal will not allow mining close to <br />the outcrop. therefore Bluffing is unlikely. <br />• Transportation <br />There is no coal truck traffic increase expected as a result of <br />this operation. At 3.5 million tons per year production, six to <br />seven trains per week would haul coal and at maximum production <br />of 4.0 million tons per year, seven to eight trains per week <br />would haul coal out of the valley from the West Elk !Sine. At <br />maximum production for all mines in the North Fork, train traffic <br />would increase to 13 to 14 trains per week. <br />County wide traffic associated with coal related growth would not <br />be expected to significantly overload any county or State road <br />system. While traffic accidents would be expected to increase an <br />unspecified amount, the accident rate (accident per vehicle wile) <br />itself would not be expected to increase. <br />Wildlife and Endangered Species <br />In order to protect and minimize impacts to ,the Grand lSesa <br />Penstemon that may occur, a Threatened and Endangered plant <br />survey would be required prior to any surface disturbance. In <br />addition, in order to protect and preserve breeding and nesting <br />habitat for the Loggerhead shrike, disturbances in sagebrush and <br />oak stands should be avoided to the extent possible. <br />• Coal leasing could impact populations of listed Federal 4 State <br />Endangered fish species to the degree that development would <br />Page 13 <br />