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BLM. The BLM is required to document NEPA compliance prior to approval of the Plan. The <br />purpose of this EA is to assess the impacts to the environment by this proposed action, and to <br />determine whether an environmental impact statement is needed. <br />PLAN CONFORMANCE REVIEW: The Proposed Action is subject to and has been reviewed <br />for conformance with the following plan (43 CFR 1610.5, BLM 1617.3): <br />Name of Plan: San Juan/San Miguel Planning Area Resource Management Plan <br />Date Approved: September, 1985 <br />Decision Number/Paee: Page 17 <br />Decision Laneua2e: All public land is open to mineral entry and development unless <br />previously withdrawn (i.e. wilderness, administrative withdrawals, etc.). Mineral exploration <br />and development on public land would be regulated under 43 CFR 3800 to prevent unnecessary <br />and undue degradation of the land. <br />Standards for Public Land Health: In January 1997, Colorado Bureau of Land Management <br />(BLM) approved the Standards for Public Land Health. These standards cover upland soils, <br />riparian systems, plant and animal communities, threatened and endangered species, and water <br />quality. Standards describe conditions needed to sustain public land health and relate to all uses <br />of the public lands. Because a standard exists for these five categories, a finding must be made <br />for each of them in an environmental analysis. These findings are located in specific elements <br />addressed below. <br />Authori :Mining law of 1872, Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, 43 CFR 3800. <br />AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT /ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES /MITIGATION <br />MEASURES: <br />CRITICAL ELEMENTS <br />AIR QUALITY <br />Affected Environment: According to the 2004 Colorado Air Quality Control <br />Commission Report to the Public (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment <br />[CDPHE 2005]), the mine site is within the Western Slope Region for air quality planning. The <br />primary sources of air pollutants in this region are from energy development and controlled and <br />uncontrolled burns. Previous primary sources, including woodstoves, unpaved roads, and street <br />sanding, have largely been addressed and are no longer as significant as the current primary <br />sources. Air quality permits are required for emission sources if established emission thresholds <br />for designated pollutants are exceeded. <br />Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: <br />Proposed Action - A moderate amount of particulate matter (dust) would rise into the air when <br />vegetation is removed. Blowing and fugitive dust from vehicles would be noticed on disturbed <br />surfaces such as the mine site and access road. Air quality would be lowered by exhaust <br />emissions from vehicles and dust from the waste rock stockpile. Air emissions would include <br />