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retention of surface runoff waters proposed for the lease tract, it is <br />estimated that coal leasing and subsequent mining would result in an <br />• estimated minimum one acre foot of water depletion annually. The Service, <br />Chrough formal consultation with BLM and US FS, has issued a Programmatic <br />Biological Opinion for water depletions in Colorado for less than 125 acre <br />feet, suggesting conservation measures to offset jeopardy to these fishes <br />and their crit'_cal habitats caused by •.rater depletion. <br />Cultural Resources <br />Impacts to cultural resources could occur if future surface <br />disturbances are proposed. These potential impacts can be mitigated by a <br />pre-activity cultural resource inventory prior to surface disturbance. <br />Water Resources <br />Coal extraction or the resultant subsidence of overburden could <br />disrupt and drain ground water systems associated with the Mesaverde <br />Formation, Quaternary deposits, or the local fault systems. <br />Surface effects from subsidence could alter surface flow patterns or <br />intercept surface runoff wa==_ts. ?;.e severity of surface subsidence would <br />be greatest where the shallowest overburden occurs. <br />• These impacts will be aitigated by the mine plan review process. The <br />mine and reclaWacion flan will require the lessee, before issuance of the <br />mine permit, to inventory all adjudica.ad water rights co quantify water <br />sources (surface vs. ground water), •:a ter quantity, and water quality. If, <br />• as a result of mining acti•:ities, disruption to water quality or quantity <br />occurs to any of t:'iese •:at.r sources (as determined by comparing inventory <br />data to post mining cor.diticns), the lessee wil: be _zs~o:.szci- :or <br />rectification of the disruption. <br />Socioeconomics <br />Leasing federal '_a::ds ':ou'_d not affect the annual level of coal <br />production. Consequent'_y, =here •:ould be no immediate impact on local <br />employment income or public re•~er,ues. However, the use of the federal <br />lease extends the mine life by 10 years which means the income and <br />employment effects of the tine would be for a longer period. At the <br />estimated production 1e•:el of 4.0 million tons per year of federal coal, <br />210 employees would be needed co sine the coal. In 1993, the mine employed <br />189 people. The mine presently employs 210 people. <br />Alternative Two - `7o P.ctlon <br />There are no known addit'_onal impacts to the following resources: <br />climate, air quality, recreation, soils, mineral resources, water <br />resources, vegetation, wildlife, land use, cultural or visual resources. <br />If Che lease is not g-=_nced, t:tere is a high likelihood t':ac the coal would <br />never be mined, In that case, this alternative would result in a loss of <br />production to the nation of 37 million tons of coal. <br /> <br />22 <br />