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February 2000 Summary Page S-13 Mining operations on both coal leases could result in increased discharges to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. However, since all discharges must meet federal and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regulations, no adverse affects on aquatic species are anticipated due to the quality of discharged water. The use and transport of fuels to the exploration sites and mining operations would represent a risk to aquatic species and their habitat, if a spill or accident occurred. By implementing a mitigation measure that would restrict any fueling of vehicles or equipment near streams, water bodies and their associated biological communities would be protected. The risk of a fuel spill or Teak reaching the North Fork of the Gunnison River, Hubbard Creek, or Terror Creek during transport is considered extremely low, based on the expected low frequency of such traffic. S-3.11 Cultural Resources Existing Conditions -Cultural resource surveys within and surrounding the coal lease tracts and exploration license area revealed 17 sites. These sites have been recorded with the State Historic Preservation Office. Most of these sites are located near the extreme western periphery of the area, generally along the east side of the Terror Creek drainage. This distribution apparently reflects previous survey activity in this area, and is not necessarily indicative of a similar cultural resource distributional pattern within the unsurveyed portions of the area. The sites previously recorded consist of eight isolated prehistoric lithic artifacts, three prehistoric open camp sites, two historic corrals, one historic dugout, one historic dump site, one historic cabin, and one non-cultural rock overhang recorded as a "possible" prehistoric rockshelter. Historic mining has occurred within and adjacent to the coal lease tracts and exploration license area. The historic King Mine site and the associated Bowie town site, have extensive histories dating from the turn of the century era. Both the King Mine and the Bowie town site have been officially determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Both of these sites, however, are outside of the coal lease tracts and exploration license area. Environmental Consequences -Cultural site density is low, and no impacts to cultural resources are anticipated. Subsidence as a result of longwall mining should not cause any discernable impacts to cultural resources on the site. Recordation and evaluation of the Dove Cave site is required if it is subject to any future surface impacts including potential subsidence. S-3.12 Noise Existing Conditions -Background noise level measurements at representative locations around the project site were taken on April 21 and April 23, 1999. Rural background measurements were taken during the daytime and nighttime at two locations on Garvin Mesa and atone location next to State Highway 133. Daytime and nighttime background noise readings were also taken at several locations in Paonia and Hotchkiss. Some of the monitoring stations at Paonia and Hotchkiss were later used to measure noise levels caused by passing coal trains. In general, the background noise measurements taken at night on Garvin Mesa were 36 dBA, with the predominant noises being natural bird sounds. Routine daytime noise levels in the urban residential areas were 48 to 56 dBA, with the predominant sounds produced by routine local traffic. At the rural site near Slate Highway 133, the spot check measurements showed 41 to 49 dBA during brief periods of no discernable traffic and spot noise levels of 64 dBA during the brief period while a coal truck drove past. Environmental Consequences -Noise has historically been recognized as a health hazard with the potential for causing hearing damage. Efforts by industry and regulatory actions have lessened the Final Environmental Impact Statement