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Wildlife and Plant Species -Use of the road is expected to have little impact on wildlife species during the winter operating period. Dogs are not permitted during the winter months to reduce wildlife conflicts and stress on wintering big game animals. Decision to be Made The District Ranger will decide whether to implement the action as proposed, or to incorporate provisions identified during the environmental analysis to further protect the natural resources and provide for public access and safety. Relationship to Other Laws and Documents Locatable minerals are those valuable deposits subject to exploration and development under the US General Mining Law of 1872. Citizens of the United States have the statutory right to expiore for, claim, and mine miheral deposits in federally owned (ands subject to the US Mining laws, including those of the National Forest System. Colorado State laws elaborate on some aspects of mining law not specifically covered by the federal act. State law requires location procedures (monumentation), some aspects of assessment requirements, and document filing. The State Division of Minerals and Geology permits and approves plans for mining, including subsurface operations, and reviews compliance with the terms of the permit on a periodic basis. A permit was issued in January 2000 for extraction of gypsum, marble and quartz that was revised in September 2003 for blasting operations. Pitkin County granted a permit in April 1998 for White Banks Mine to quarry and remove alabaster from the mine site. The request to operate during the winter months must be consistent with any local ordinances that govern commercial mining operations where the County has jurisdiction. The mine operator must comply with all applicable Federal, State and County statutes. Public To Comment The public is invited to provide comment and identify issues on the winter operations proposal. Please submit your comments on this project by September 27, 2004. Comments should ,be submitted to the Sopris Ranger District, Attention: Bill Westbrook, District Ranger, P O Box$09, Carbondale, Colorado 81623. You may email your comments to the District Ranger at comments- rockv-mountain-white-river-soorisC~?fs.fed.us and identify White Banks Mine on the subject line. This request for public comment has also been mailed to other federal, state, and local agencies, adjacent land owners, and individuals or organizations who may be interested in or affected by decisions related to the White Banks Mine proposal. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposed action and will be available for public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered, however, those submitting anonymous comments will not have standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR Part 215. The project may be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an environmental assessment if there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action