1994-12-29_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007

Home Browse Search

the income and employment effects of the mine would be for a longer period. , At the estimated production level of 4 . 0 million tons per year of federal coal, 190 employees would be needed to • mine the coal. The mine presently employs 180 to 185 people. B. Alternative Two - No Action Environmental Consequences There are no known additional impacts to the following resources: climate, air quality, recreation, soils, mineral resources, water resources, vegetation, wildlife, land use, cultural or visual resources. If the lease is not granted, there is a high likelihood that the coal would never be mined. In that case, this alternative would result in a loss of production to the nation of 10 million tons of coal. If the coal in the proposed lease area is mined at another date, it would be done at a higher cost due to the need for reentry. While the economic benefits of Alternative One might still be enjoyed, they would be achieved at a higher cost and hence, less efficiently. Or the bypassed coal may never be mined due to technical difficulties and economic constraints. There are no Mitigation Measures or Residual Impacts resulting from Alternative Two. V. MITIGATION MEASURES • With respect to bald or golden eagle nests which may be established on the review area during the life of the project, the following shall be applied. No new permanent surface facilities or disturbances shall be located within a 1/4 mile radius buffer zone around each bald or golden eagle nest site. No surface activities would be allowed within a 1/4 mile radius buffer zone around each eagle nest site from March 1 to July 1. Any proposed activities in, or adjacent to, these buffer zones (except routine maintenance) will require approval from the BIX, on a site-specific basis, after consultation with the USFWS. Because the presence of Grand Mesa Penstemon has been documented in elevations above 7300 feet, a Threatened and Endangered plant survey will be required prior to any surface disturbance. To protect and preserve breeding and nesting habitat for the Loggerhead shrike, disturbances in sagebrush and oak stands should be avoided to the extent possible. Where possible avoid surface disturbance to areas overlain by the Fughes loam soil series. As part of the Mine and Reclamation Permit Application Package, the lessee shall furnish to the Regulatory Officer at the Office • of Surface Mining, an estimate of the average annual water depletion resulting from the proposed action. This will require the project proponent's one-time contribution to the Recovery Page 15