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• Subsidence could also occur.~;~no the extraction of 4.~ to 7-foot cb :'seam pillars on the retreat in <br />the proposed 1,304.51-acre lease azea. While a maximum subsidence :~f7 feet could occur, the most <br />likely showing on the surface :vauld be tension cracks such as the ones discussed above. The greater <br />thickness of overburden in tiffs area (i.e., 300 to 400 feet), however. suggests that subsidence will <br />not be as evident as it has beees! in those areas. <br />:~ <br />Subsidence fracuues could ~1so allow the escape of methane gas tc ~_e surface and could increase <br />the. hazard of undereround a d surface fires, although this is not' li-rely due to tow liberation of <br />methane from the Menefee cdal. <br />Vegetation <br />Some minimal impacts to vegetation would result from the develepment of the surface facilities. <br />This will require the excavatd!r of surface soils and the removal of t<_• vegatated cover. All surface <br />excavation will not be on Fed~.i-aI Land. No indirect or cumulative:mpacts have been identified. <br />4. Wildlife <br />Some minimal direct impacts `o wildlife will result fram the development of the surface facilities. <br />The application indicates tha: operations are intended to be contin_:-d at approxirately the same <br />praduction level. Truck tra~~ and human activity would continue . ~ affect wildlife and big game <br />• species, particularly during tl;:~ winter months. Wildlife, particular.::` wintering nr~le deer, maybe <br />affected by truck traffic on C~ I20 and Colorado State Hwy.140 as toad killed wildlife along these <br />roads has been reported to tlr.: BLM. <br />5. Land Use <br />T'he proposed action would =acilitate development of coal on ~ 304.51 acres of federal coal. <br />Development of the coal wa:iid diminish federal interest in then: lands with a corespondutg <br />economic return in the form of bonus bid and production royalties. Approximately i-I d acres of <br />state land wilt be used to service the mine. No indirect or cumulative-.mpacts have been identified. <br />6. Transportation <br />With a production rate ofapprcximately 300,000 tons per year, there ur11 continue to be an estirnated <br />] 8 to 28 coal trucks (30 ton itr:cks) traveling County Road 120 east:af the King Coal mine site and <br />Colorado State Highway 140 south of Hay Gulch. lnese trucks ~ picaiiy operate each day for <br />approximately 350 days of the year over the life of the iuine. Track r~ c will cantinue to ca::se <br />deterioration of county roads and highways. The applicant must meet State and County laws <br />concerning road and highway use. <br />• <br />IS <br />