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<br />PLAN CONFORMANCE REVIEW <br />The subject parcel is located in the area analyzed by the San <br />Juan/San Migu21 Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact <br />Statement of 1985 (RMP). This area was identified in the plan as <br />having emphasis in Cultural Resources (Area of Critical Concern, <br />ACEC), and Livestock Grazing. Minerals development is not a <br />specific emphasis for this area, but mineral development is one <br />of the multiple uses considered and analyzed in the RMP. Mining <br />this parcel, with mitigation/avoidance for cultural resources, <br />would not be in conflict with the emphases. <br />AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS/MITIGATION MEASURES <br />CRITICAL ELEMEIQTS <br />Cultural Resources: Based on an early Class III inventory <br />(Arrington, 1981), one site, SMT2020 (originally recorded in <br />1967), lies within the proposed gravel extraction area (units II, <br />III & IV identified by Mr. Stone) and as such would be totally <br />destroyed by mining activity as proposed. It is considered to be <br />potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places <br />even though it has been partially impacted by an abandoned access <br />read established sometime before 1975. The nature and extent of <br />buried cultural material at this site has not yet been <br />ascertained. The site has a moderate to high potential of <br />containing buried features including religious elements of <br />concern to Native Americans, especially human remains. <br />Additional evaluation of this site is planned and proceeding. <br />Initially, the site has been fenced to delineate the area to be <br />protected from gravel operations. <br />Threatened and Endangered Species: A records review and field <br />survey of the project area did not locate any federally listed <br />threatened, endangered, or BLM sensitive species, or potential <br />habitat for such species. There could be some occasional hunting <br />by bald and golden eagles or possibly peregrine falcons over a <br />large area which could include this parcel. Peregrine falcon's <br />eyrie sites are located far from the project site and the <br />presence of this gravel pit would certainly not affect a <br />significant portion of its hunting ground. <br />Floodplains, V;etlands, Riparian Zones, and Alluvial <br />Valleys: None. <br />Prime and Unique Farmlands: None. <br />Aiastes, Hazardous or Solid: None. <br />Water Quality, Surface or Ground: From the description of the <br />mining plan submitted by tor. Stone, no impacts to water quality <br />would be expected. The general slope of the site is around 3%. <br />9 <br />