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Third Park Federal Coal Exploration License Environmental Assessment Increased vehicle use of local, existing roads is not expected to have any long-term noticeable effects to existing roads. This assessment is based on the limited number of vehicles associated with the Project and short schedule of the Proposed Action. Overland travel by the drill rig and associated support vehicles may cause temporary short-term disturbance to surface soil and vegetation. In cases where more than one drill hole is accessed by one overland access route, multiple passes by the drill rig and associated vehicles would be more likely to result short-term effects to the surface soils and vegetation, thus potentially temporarily increasing surface runoff and erosion in these localized areas. Under the proposed 2-month field schedule, at least two drill holes would be visited each day, and only a single visit to each location would be required to drill and close each hole. Visibility of the overland access routes would depend on local terrain, vegetation community, soil conditions, relative use of [he access route, and other factors. During project implementation, signs that read "Exploration Project in Progress; No Public Access" would be positioned at the intersection of active overland access routes and established system roads. These signs are intended to keep the public at a safe distance from the Project-related activities and to reduce public use of the temporary overland access routes. Groundwater effects associated with drilling generally include possible cross-contamination of aquifers across geologic strata and contamination of shallow drinking water aquifers due to surface spills and releases. Groundwater contamination can potentially occur as the result of drilling and/or abandonment activities. However, given that the coal strata in Third Park is anticipated to be relatively dry, and prominent aquifers and groundwater levels are expected at greater depths than the total depth of most holes drilled, the potential for effects on groundwater quality would be low. Implementation of drilling stipulations would further reduce potential effects (Appendix A). Shallow groundwater aquifers could potentially be impacted from accidental spills of hazardous materials. The impact of such spills would be minor because of the unlikely events of released materials, small volumes if releases occurred, localized extent of such spills, and greater depths to aquifers. Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no effects to water quality. Land Health Standard 5: Water quality in the stream segments in the Project Area is expected to meet the criteria established in the standard. The status of water quality in the State of Colorado will determine whether this standard is met. Implementation of the Proposed Action and associated conservation measures would meet current surface water quality standazds. WETLANDS AND RIPARIAN ZONES (includes a finding on Standazd 2) Affected Environment: No wetlands, as defined in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, have been identified in the Project Area. One acre of riparian habitat has been identified within the Project Area. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: Overland access routes and drilling activities would avoid wetland and riparian habitats. There would be no environmental consequences associated with this resource. Field surveys conducted in May 2007 verified the absence of wetlands and riparian zones associated with the locations of the proposed overland access routes and drill hole locations (ARCADIS 2007b). Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no effects to wetlands and riparian zones. Land Health Standard 2: Based on the lack of disturbance to wetlands and riparian zones in the Project Area, the criteria for this standard would be met. Western Fuefs CEL Enviranmenm(Assessment 1 g