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1 <br />CHAPTERFIVE Cumulative Impacts <br />A cumulative analysis was performed using all the increment consuming sources identified by <br />the CDPHE. Tables 4.5-6 and 4.5-7, present summaries of the cumulative Class II increment <br />analyses for the Piceance and Parachute Sites. Impacts from both the Piceance and Parachute <br />Sites aze less than the Class II significant levels. <br />5.6 NOISE <br />r No cumulative noise impacts aze expected because long-term project noise sources (proposed <br />boilers, generators, compressors) aze widely dispersed over a predominantly rural azea, lacking <br />existing or foreseeable noise-generating industrial facilities. <br />5.7 VEGETATION <br />Cumulative effects on vegetation from the White River Nahcolite Project and the CIG pipeline <br />have affected the same vegetation communities as described for the Proposed Action, as well as <br />other communities such as aspen, Douglas-fir, and cottonwood. Disturbance of more than 700 <br />acres includes an estimated 200 acres of the pinyon-juniper woodland type. Impacts to specific <br />vegetation types from the TransColorado pipeline and anticipated oil and gas leasing in the <br />region aze not quantifiable; however, over 4,000 acres of disturbance would primarily affect <br />pinyon juniper woodlands and sagebrush shrublands which aze dominant throughout the <br />cumulative effects study area. It is estimated that impacts would affect less than one percent of <br />the cumulative impacts analysis azea. <br />The anticipated impacts to vegetation would be the same as described for the Proposed Action. <br />Impacts would include both the short-term disturbance of herbaceous vegetation and shrublands, <br />as well as the long-term disturbance of woodland and forest communities that would take up to <br />50 years for significant regeneration and over 150 years to return to the potential natural <br />community. <br />Assuming that at least the same level of reclamation requirements would be required on the other <br />projects as would be required for the Yankee Gulch project, impacts would be short term to long <br />term, depending on the vegetation type affected, but would not be cumulatively significant. <br />5.8 WILDLIFE <br />The primary cumulative effects of concern aze loss and fragmentation of big game habitat, and <br />' cumulative effects to waterfowl. <br />Mule Deer <br />I The White River Nahcolite Project and the Yankee Gulch Project are both in situ mines with <br />above ground processing facilities, wells, roads and piping. The White River Nahcolite Project <br />' is located 1 to 2 miles southwest of the Piceance Site, and would affect the same mule deer <br />population. About 70 percent of the lease azea is severe winter range. The impact assessment <br />looked at four alternatives, affecting up to 149 acres of direct habitat loss and 121 acres of <br />displacement, for the Jife of the mine. The affected area to date is about 62 acres. White River <br />Nahcolite is required to replace lost habitat value 2 for 1. The Yankee Gulch Project would <br />5-5 <br />