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There are no known historic structures, cultural landscapes, or ethnographic resources on or <br />near the pit site. Also, the actions under either alternative would not have adverse impacts on <br />park museum collections. The park staff consulted with the culturally affiliated tribes, which <br />produced one response that did not indicate any issues or concerns with the project. The park <br />will continue to consult with the tribes as operations progress. For these reasons, these cultural <br />resource topics were not carried through for detailed analysis. <br />1.4.4. Local and Regional Economics <br />Local and regional economics was dismissed as an impact topic because the outcome of <br />whether or not the pit would be expanded to include an additional 19.5 acres would have a <br />negligible impact on local and regional economies. Economic impacts to local or regional <br />supplies of mineral materials are discussed under "Nonfederal Mineral Development." <br />1.4.5. Floodplains <br />The Dickerson Pit site does not contain any surface water resources, and the nearest floodplain <br />is the Gunnison River Floodplain, located approximately 400 feet to the south and across U.S. <br />Highway (US) 50. Because none of the proposed activities at the pit would affect floodplain <br />functions or values would be affected, this topic was dismissed from further analysis. <br />1.4.6. Wetlands <br />Similar to water resources, this topic was dismissed because there are no wetlands on the site, <br />and any downstream wetlands would be protected by the use of the settling pond and erosion <br />control methods that are part of the P{an of Operations. The closest wetlands in the direct path <br />of stormwater discharge from the site are located across US 50, along the Gunnison River. <br />Wetlands associated with Beaver Creek are at least 500 feet away from the site boundary, <br />separated from any site activities by a wooded hillside, and stormwater would not be directed <br />toward Beaver Creek. Therefore, since there would be no discernible direct or indirect impacts <br />to wetlands, this topic was dismissed from further analysis. <br />1.4.7. Park Management and Operations <br />This was dismissed as an impact topic because the extent of additional management required <br />by the proposed action would have few additional impacts to the park. The park staff and staff <br />from the NPS central offices, such as the Geologic Resources Division, would continue with the <br />same type of monitoring of operations and mineral characterization as they have been <br />performing. All archeological recovery would be done under contract, with negligible to minor <br />impacts to park staff who would oversee this effort. Rare plant salvage and monitoring and <br />exotic plant management and monitoring would place additional negligible to minor impact on <br />park staff. <br />13 <br />