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1 Seven comments were received on the DEIS. Comments and their corresponding responses can be found in Chapter 5. Issues The Forest Service separated the issues into two groups: significant and non-significant issues. Significant issues were defined as those directly or indirectly caused by implementing the proposed action. Non-significant issues were identified as those: 1) outside the scope of the proposed action; 2) already decided by law, regulation, Forest Plan, or other higher level decision; 3) irrelevant to the decision Yo be made; or 4) conjectural and not supported by scientific or factual evidence. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations explain this delineation in Sec. 1501.7, "...identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues which are not significant or which have been covered by prior environmental review (Sec. 15063)...." Significant Issues The Forest Service identified the following issues which are analyzed in detail in the EIS. In most cases, a design criteria has been developed to minimize impacts (Table 2-1), the remainder were addressed through effects analysis in Chapter 3. Socioeconomic Loss of coal mining at the West Elk Mine would be a loss of revenue to the local economy. Local impact on social and economic conditions may be measured in terms of revenue generated and jobs maintained. Wildlife The addition of roads and pads may fragment or destroy habitat for threatened, endangered, sensitive and management indicator species. Noise and ground disturbing activity may disrupt an area that is important for big game winter range and migration routes. Granting relief from the timing restriction for the construction of the ventilation shaft and escapeway could affect big game on their , winter range. Soils and Geo/og{c Hazards ll , Construction activitt es in areas with geologic hazards and fine textured soils may cause slope instability and incre sed erosion potential. ' ~ Vegetation The addition of roads and pads may fragment ' or destroy habitat for threatened, endangered or sensitive plants. Surface disturbance of riparian vegetation and , associated habitats nay increase erosion and sedimentation in surface waters. Th ddi i ld d f d , t on o roa s an pa s may remove e a vegetative cover n~cessary for forage and ground cover. , Ground disturbing activities may increase the potential for noxious~weeds. Cultural Resources Ground disturbing construction activities may disturb cultural sites. Land Uses, Including Recreation Road construction, t~~ctivities, and disturbance ' may affect existing ]and uses, visual quality, and recreational opp rtunities. Inventoried Roadless Areas , Road construction in IRA may reduce the roadless character. I ' Roads and Facilities Portions of existin I roads may be used to access the project area and may receive increased traffic and wear-and-tear for the life of the mine. , ' gned to accommodate the Roads should be des purpose and weight of vehicles that will need to use the roads. ' Visual Resources Visual resources will be impacted by well pads , and access roads which will disrupt line, form and color patterns.) Use of design criteria measures such as foul wing contours and using 10 Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam (Ne[hane Drainage Wells FEIS '