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CNAPTERTHREE Enuironment~tl Consequences Migration. There would be less potential impact on mule deer spring and fall migrations through the Froject Area under the Agency Preferred Alternative than described for the Proposed Action. Through the preservation of higher density stands of pinyon juniper woodlands and pipeline over/under passes, migrating mule deer would be afforded a greater srmount of escape cover. By providing escape cover and associated forage, mule deer would be more likely to use the escape cover to migrate through active mine panels. Stress. Excluding stress from human disturbance, stressors identified in the ]?roposed Action would be reduced under the Agency Preferred Alternative. By increasing avsulable on-site thermal and escape cover, implementing off-site forage improvements, and providing for access past physical barriers (well field piping) stress would be reduced. Through the retention of critical thermal habitat within mine panels, coupled with the off-site habitat vmprovement, over- winter survival of fawns is expected to be greater under the Agency Preferred Alternative than the Proposed Action. Vehicle/Deer Collisions. The incidence of vehicle/deer collisions is expected to be the same under the Agency Preferred Alternative and the Proposed Action. Raptors The effects of mining activities on raptors would be reduced under the Agency Preferred Alternative in comparison to the Proposed Action. With the retention of higher density stands of pinyon juniper woodlands, a greateramount of raptor nesting habitat would be preserved under the Agency Preferred Alternative. No surface-disturbing activities would be allowed until the BLM has delineated habitats and granted its approval. Prior to the initiation of surface activities, all mine panels would be surveyed for active raptor nests. If any nests aze lo~~ated, azeas of No Surface Occupancy and timing restrictions would be employed. Additional :purveys would be conducted in habitats that have not been previously surveyed. Waterfowl and Shorebirds The adverse effects on waterfowl and shorebvds from mining activities associated with the Proposed Action would be eliminated under the Agency Prefen•ed Alternative. The greatest threat to waterfowl and shorebirds under the Proposed Action is exposure to hypersaline waters in evaporation ponds. Under the Agency Preferred Alternative, American Soda would net any process ponds prior to the introduction of fluids, thus removing the threat of exposure to waterfowl and shorebvds. Other Species The Draft EIS addressed potential effects to elk, mountain lion, upland game: birds, and fisheries and aquatic habitats. Potential effects to these other species and habitats under the Agency Preferred Alternative would be the same as those described for the Proposed Action. 3-12 Wildlife