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Third Park Federal Coal Exploration License Environmental Assessment WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS Affected Environment: There are no Wild and Scenic Rivers in the vicinity of the Proposed Action. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: There would be no environmental consequences associated with this resource. Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no effects to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. WILDERNESS Affected Environment: There are no Wilderness Areas in the vicinity of the Proposed Action. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: There would be no environmental consequences associated with this resource. Under the No Action Alternative, there would be no effects to Wilderness or Wilderness Study Areas. NON-CRITICAL ELEMENTS SOILS (includes a finding on Standard I) Affected Environment: Soils in the Project Area are described in the Soil Survey of the San Miguel Area, Colorado, Parts of Dolores, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties (NRCS 1986). Soils in the Project Area have developed from a combination of residual, colluvial, and alluvial materials derived from local bedrock. The Dakota, Morrison, Wasatch, and Chinle Formations have all been eroded and weathered over time. The San Miguel, Coal Draw, and other streams subsequently have transported their sediment into the Third Park area, and these sediments have the composition of the modem quaternazy soils. Collectively, these lithologic bodies would contribute alight-colored, sand-dominated composition including some fine, variegated silt and clay and possibly some coal fragments. The soil mapping survey identified eight map units within the license area. The map unit name, percentage coverage within the CEL, dominant soil series, relative depth, location on the landscape, surface runoff, shrink-swell potential, and suitability for roads as described in the soil survey are shown in Table 4. The Project Area is in an azea primarily consisting of Barx-Progresso complex with 3 to l2 percent slopes. Pinon-Bowdish-Rock outcrop complex with 3 to 30 percent slopes and Mikim loam with I to 6 percent slopes are [he next two most dominant soil types in the area (NRCS 2007). The Barx-Progresso complex is a moderate to very deep well-drained soil that is formed in alluvium derived from sandstone or limestone. The permeability of this soil is moderate to moderately slow. Surface runoff from most of the soils in the Project Area is very high. Soils on steeper slopes have slower infiltration rates, resulting in more surface flow and erosion. The shrink-swell potential for most soils in the Project Area is moderate to low, based on the amount and type of clay minerals found in the soil. The finer texture soils have a higher shrink-swell hazard rating. Most soils in the area are moderately to poorly suited for roads. Fair performance off road would be expected, but some reclamation may be needed. The poorly suited areas may also require reclamation. Weslern Fuels CEL Environmenm! Assessment l 9