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Over the operating life of the commercial mine, vehicle traffic would consist of • about 48 commuter trips per day to the Parachute Site, and truck usage for hauling raw materials and products is estimated to be 13 trips per day (Kvaemer 1998a). 8.6.2 Raptors To the extent possible, areas within 0.25 mile of any raptor nesting sites identified during the raptor surveys have been avoided by activities undertaken under the exploration and experimental test mine plans. Furthermore, these activities have been carried out primarily outside the raptor nesting season. Activities proposed under the commercial mine plan would have only minor effects on raptor nesting habitats because such habitats are limited within the Piceance Site. However, some previously used and potential nesting sites have been identified near the Piceance Site (BLM 1996c), and any birds choosing to use these sites during the spring could be disturbed by activities related to construction and operation of the solution mining and processing facilities. Should any functioning raptor nests be identified in the immediate vicinity of the Piceance Site processing facilities or any active 5-year mining panels during the development and operation of the Commercial Mine, American Soda would consult with the BLM to minimize disturbance to the nesting birds. • As stated in Section 7,7.2, the results of the 1998 raptor surveys of the Piceance Site and the pipeline corridor will be provided to the BLM upon completion. Occasional raptor surveys of the project area will continue in the lease area, in which case new information may become available (BLM 1997a). Further consultation may be required if additional nests could be potentially impacted by mining/construction activities (BLM 1997a}. 8.6.3 Sage Grouse The pipeline corridor would approach the active sage grouse lek located in T4S, R96W, Section 10 within an estimated distance of 600 feet (see Figure 7-21). In order to minimize impacts to this lek, which is located on the west side of the existing pipeline corridor, the new pipelines would be sited on the east side of the existing corridor along this reach. Pipeline construction is expected to begin in the summer of 1999. Construction activity near all sage grouse leks identified in Section 7.7.3 would be avoided from March 1 to July 15, which includes the sage grouse nesting period (CIG 1995). Any other activity within a 1.5-mile radius of these leks during this period would be minimal. • American Soda, L.L.P. 8_23 Commercial Mine Plan August 18,1998