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~~,eeember !. 20r~3 <br />Page 3-1 <br />Chapter 3 -Affected Environment and Environmental <br />Consequences <br />3.1 Introduction <br />This chapter describes both the existing conditions of, and the environmental consequences to the area <br />and resources based on the alternatives described in Chapter 2, Alternatives. For ease of presentation <br />and comparison, the analysis discussions are separated into individual resource areas. Although the <br />anticipated environmental effects of alternatives were analyzed for each resource discipline, impact <br />analysis focused on those disciplines that relate to the issues and concerns identified in Chapter 2, <br />Alternatives. Some impacts are expressed in qualitative terms, others in quantitative terms. <br />Based on the impact analysis for the individual resource areas within this chapter, potential lease <br />stipulations are addressed that would protect non-coal resources or reduce environmental impacts should <br />mining be conducted on the LBA tract. These potential stipulations would avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce <br />or compensate for potential impacts. <br />The effectiveness of the each proposed stipulation is also addressed in this chapter; the effectiveness is <br />assessed as one of the following categories: highly effective, moderately effective, somewhat effective, or <br />uncertain as to the effectiveness. <br />3.2 Topography <br />For topography, the project impact area is the West Flatiron LBA tract area. The cumulative impact area <br />includes the North Fork Valley area east of the Town of Paonia, in particular the area encompassing the <br />operations and activities of the West Elk Mine. <br />3.2.1 Existing Conditions <br />The elevations in the LBA tract range from approximately 6,250 feet in Raven Gulch (on the north side of <br />the lease tract) to over 8,500 feet on the upper reaches of the lease tract. The LBA tract is drained by an <br />unnamed ephemeral tributary of Raven Creek and several small ephemeral drainages, which are tributary <br />to Raven Creek. Raven Creek empties into the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />The regional topography has been influenced by a wide range of mass movement landforms and <br />processes within the North Fork of Gunnison River Valley. These included localized natural landslides <br />and rock falls. Landsliding in this region is usually preceded, accompanied, and followed by perceptible <br />creep along the surface or within the slide mass. Areas of general geologic/topographic instability are <br />shown on Figure 3-1, Geologic Hazards Map. <br />The proposed action includes the agencies consideration to lease all the coal reserves in the LBA tract. <br />Although mining is currently proposed for one seam only, the proposed action would consider the effects <br />of other seams being mined. <br />Much of the LBA tract area contains moderate (40% to 60%) and steep (greater than 60%) slope areas. <br />Many of the areas identified that are mapped as steep slope areas are exposed bedrock outcrop and the <br />• <br />Envircnrner!tal F~sessni~.ni <br />4~V+si'r'latirrn LF;,?;~~ <br />Gunnisor, ta+unty, Colarario <br />