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' CHAPTERFIVE Cumulative Impacts oil and gas development. Figure 5-1 shows the study azea in relation to the Yankee Gulch Project. The information presented below is summarized from the DSEIS for this action. Key project components/activities include: • 457 wells have been drilled in the last nine yeazs; 84 wells were on BLM land with an average of nine wells drilled per yeaz. • An estimated 1,200 new wells will be brought into production by the yeaz 2018; 290 of these are expected to be on BLM land. • Estimated disturbance is 4,080 acres; 986 acres would be on BLM land. Short-term 5.1 GEOLOGY AND SOILS 5.1.1 Geology Cumulative effects to geologic resources for the four listed projects include local disturbances which aze not considered to be regionally significant. 5.2 SOILS ' Cumulative effects on soils from the White River Nahcolite Project, the CIG pipeline, and the TransColorado pipeline have affected a range of soil types including some fragile soils on steep slopes. Disturbance on private and federal lands has or will affect over 5,000 acres; including an estimated 600 acres of fragile soils. Impacts from anticipated oil and gas leasing in region aze not quantifiable at this time, but could be expected to be similaz to the Proposed Action. It is estimated that impacts would affect about one percent of the cumulative impacts analysis azea. Anticipated cumulative impacts to soils would be the same as described for the Proposed Action. Impacts would include the loss of topsoil and increased sedimentation due to wind and water erosion, and a reduction in soil productivity. Small amounts of localized, significant impacts would be expected to fragile soils on steep slopes. Projects that have finished reclamation activities have stabilized soils with mostly grass and forb species. Additionally, assuming that at least the same level of erosion control and reclamation requirements would be required for future projects as is required for the Yankee Gulch project most impacts would be short term, localized, and would not be cumulatively significant. 5.3 SURFACE WATER AND SURFACE WATER DRAINAGES Cumulative effects to surface water resources relate to sedimentation from ground disturbing activities and consumptive use of water from perennial streams. Projects currently under construction in the vicinity of the Yankee Gulch Project include the TransColorado Pipeline and White River Nahcolite Sodium Mine. The potential for adverse effects on stream channel configuration and water quality increases with increases in stream crossings within the same I watershed. If the required stipulations, regulations, standazd engineering practices, and disturbance would affect 435 acres, and 551 acres would be affected long-term ' S-3