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of the special use authorization. The South Fork Pit was previously authorized by Project Agreement 96-O1, which expired on December 31, 2000. The pit was operated in compliance with the agreement during the life of the agreement. Current direction requires continued operations to be authorized under a mineral materials permit, under the special uses code 562-Mineral Material Site. Operations under the new permit will be within the same boundaries and with the same intent as the previous authorization. Special use provisions will be included in the mineral materials permit. B. Relationship to Extraordinary Circumstances There are no conditions that would constitute a significant effect on an extraordinary circumstance related to the proposed authorization. This conclusion is based on evaluation of the following items: 1. Federally listed Threatened, Endangered or Proposed Species or their Critical,h_abitat__ ' ' - 'and Forest Service Sensitive Species -The South Fork Pit project was reviewed by the Sulphur District Wildlife Biologist during the summer of 2005 and 2006. No concerns were identified that would impact or affect any Federally listed threatened, endangered or proposed species, or Forest Service sensitive species, or their critical habitat. There were no occurrences of threatened, endangered, proposed or sensitive plant species in the project area. There would be no effect on these circumstances. 2: Floodplains and Wetlands- The project area was reviewed by the Sulphur District Hydrologist in the summer of 2006. The Hydrologist recommended that measures be taken to protect a high flow chute that cuts across the existing cleared area parallel to the un-named tributary to the South Fork of the Williams Fork River. It is not currently an active channel; however it functions as a flood relief chute for the primary channel and should remain intact to convey floodwaters past the gravel pit. To resolve this concern, the boundary of the excavated area will be designated so as to provide a 20 foot buffer along the length of the flood chute. The Hydrologist had no other concerns about impacts on floodplains or wetlands stemming from this project, therefore there will be no effect on this circumstance. 3: Municipal Watersheds -While nearly all watersheds on the Forest provide for public water supplies, there are no designated municipal watersheds within the Forest boundary. Therefore, since this use does not occur in a designated municipal watershed, and the use will have no effect on a public water supply, there are no effects on this circumstance. 4: Congressionally Designated Areas -The project area is not within or near any Congressionally designated areas, therefore there will be no effect on such areas. S: Research Natural Areas and Inventoried Roadless Areas -The project area lies within the Lower William's Fork Geographic Area, which does not have any Research Natural Areas in it. Therefore, there will be no effect on this circumstance. 3