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ExecuMte Summary <br />Accelerated Development -This alternative is similaz to the Proposed Action with accelerated <br />solution mine development increasing nahcolite production to approximately 4 million tpy, <br />which is neazly triple the production planned for the Proposed Action. Approxinrately 45 wells <br />would be developed per year after initial project start-up. However, the total number of wells <br />and the total area to be developed at the Piceance Site would remain the same as the Proposed <br />Action. Given the accelerated rate of nahcolite extraction, the estimated life of tt~e solution <br />mining operation would be shortened to approximately 10 yeazs, compazed with 30 years under <br />the Proposed Action. The size of the initial processing plant at the Piceance Site would be <br />increased to accommodate the increased volume of nahcolite extraction. There would be no <br />change to the proposed product pipeline installation or operation under this alternative. The <br />Parachute Site would be used for processing of sodium products as described for the Proposed <br />Action. The processing facility would be increased to accommodate the lazger scale soda ash <br />production. <br />No Action Alternative - The No Action Alternative is required by NEPA for comparison to <br />other alternatives in the EIS. The No Action Alternative would occur if the Yankee Gulch Project <br />Commercial Mine Plan was not approved because it would cause undue and unnecessary <br />degradation, which is prohibited by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) <br />Sec. 302 (b). Under the No Action Alternative, ongoing mining activities approved under the <br />existing Exploration Plan and Test Mine Plan could continue, but in all likelihood these activities <br />would cease. In this case, workers would be laid off, facilities dismantled and the: site would be <br />reclaimed. The environmental conditions described in Chapter 3 of the EIS would continue to <br />exist unchanged by activities related to this mining proposal. <br />ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br />The following is a summary of the potential environmental effects by resource re:;ulting from the <br />proposed Yankee Gulch Project. <br />Proposed Action and Accelerated Development Alternative <br />Geology. For both the Proposed Action and Accelerated Development Alternative, surface <br />subsidence would range from 1 to 3 ft or less, with no visible surface cracks, and would occur <br />slowly over geologic time. It does not appear that this project would adversely affect future <br />mineability of oil shale particularly in the oil- rich Mahogany Zone. Potential impacts to <br />mineability of oil shale in the Saline Zone cannot be estimated at this time since fixture oil shale <br />extraction technologies are unknown. <br />Soils. The Proposed Action would disturb 1,097.5 acres of soils, including 128.5 acres occupied <br />by permanent facilities, 486 acres disturbed during construction (short term), and 483 acres in <br />mine panels (5-yeaz increments). Much of the impacts would occur to soils considered fragile <br />because of shallow depths, susceptibility to erosion, or steep slopes. Some soil lo.>s due to <br />erosion, an interruption of natural soil development, and loss of productivity would occur; <br />however, impacts would be minimized by erosion control and reclamation. If erosion control or <br />reclamation are unsuccessful, the action alternatives would have long-term adverse effects. The <br />ES-2 <br />