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Executive Summary would meet the visual resource guidelines for Visual Resource Management (VF1vI) Class III lands. However, the mining activities, as proposed, would likely exceed the guidelines for visual resource management in the Ryan Gulch ACEC. The Pipeline Corridor would ntostly follow existing pipelines and would look the same, or would be located in azeas that are screened from view or have poor or no public access. The Pazachute Site would not have substantial visual change. The types of impacts would be similaz for the Accelerated Development Altemative, but the magnitude of visual changes would increase due to lazger azeas under active mining. Socioeconomics. Available housing would be sufficient to accommodate construction workers and operations personnel for the Proposed Action, though some individuals may need to drive further to work than preferred, and some operators may be forced to choose an apartment or mobile home rather than a house. Strong positive economic effects would be generated by worker salaries, per diem payments, and local purchases of equipment and supplies. Several Garfield County schools may have inadequate space for non-local children of construction workers. Public schools in Rio Blanco County would have adequate capacity. The project would contribute substantial revenues to various local, state and federal government entities through taxes and royalties, including property tax revenue, federal mineral lease royalties, sales and use tax revenues, and severance tax. Minority populations are smaller than statewide averages, and would not be disproportionately affected by the project (environmental justice). The Accelerated Development Altemative would require a lazger construction and operations work force. Available local housing supplies would be exceeded during construction, and workers would have to drive farther to reach work. The demand for public services would also be greater during construction, and would likely exceed capacity in several Garfield County schools. Greater economic benefits would occur on an annual basis, but over a s}iorter period of time. Transportation. During the 18-month construction period, the level of vehicle u-affic would vary, and would consist of workers commuting to the job site and trucks hauling equipment and supplies. Traffic volumes aze projected to temporarily increase over current levels due to construction activities at the Piceance and Pazachute Sites and along the pipeline corridor by approximately 2 percent along State Highway (SH) 64; 8 percent along SH 13; 157 percent along Piceance Creek Road south of the Piceance Site; 95 percent along Pazachute Creek Road, and 3 percent along Interstate 70 (I-70). These increased traffic volumes would not change the Level of Service (LOS) for any affected road. Over the operating life of the project, the: greatest impacts on increased traffic volumes would be along Piceance Creek Road and P~~rachute Creek Road, with projected increases of 41 percent and 32 percent, respectively. There •~vould be no significant change to the LOS on these roads. Operations-related traffic effects would be long term and last throughout the life of the project. Under the Accelerated Development Altemative, traffic volumes would increase compazed to the Proposed Action due to a doubling of the work force for both construction and operation activities. The roads have sufficient capacity to accommodate future traffic increases without a decrease in LOS through the year 2010 and probably longer. Hazardous Materials. Accidental spills and pipeline ruptures may occur, but would be cleaned up and the contaminated soil disposed of or rehabilitated in accordance with federal and state regulations. Standazd safety precautions would be followed. A spill plan for the pipeline system would be prepazed prior to operation. All solid waste would be properly recycled or disposed of ES-6