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Exhibit J -Environmental Impacts <br />1. Impacts on flora and fauna - The land to be affected by this mining operation is <br />primarily a grassland where long term grazing has occurred. Although the land has been <br />managed well, the results of grazing are still evident in that the species balance has <br />shifted from the original "climax" grassland to a condition that is more adapted to sustain <br />the impacts from cattle grazing. On the whole, the grassland is in good condition with <br />only marginal evidence of possible overgrazing. But those overgrazing indicators could <br />have also been caused by the recent intense drought, so it cannot be said with confidence <br />that the land has ever been overgrazed. Rick Hunt's grazing management is designed to <br />avoid overutilization as much as possible. Thus, the grassland habitat, where the mining <br />will occur, is a moderately disturbed vegetation that does not exhibit any special qualities. <br />Thus impacts on that land from mining are easily replaceable and therefore only <br />temporary. <br />2. Impacts on wildlife habitats - The only important wildlife habitat in the area is the <br />riparian corridor immediately west of the west side of the permit area. This corridor along <br />Running Creek is in very good condition with strong multi-strata vegetation and a fairly <br />steady supply of moisture. As a result, this is a rich habitat for animals as well as diverse <br />vegetation, including some wetlands scattered here and there through the forest. The only <br />impact this operation has on this habitat unit is the private road that crosses the stream. <br />That road travels along a narrow strip that crosses the riparian corridor at a fairly narrow <br />location. This greatly minimizes the impact of the roadway on the riparian corridor. The <br />road is sufficient for not only the mining operation, but for other uses accessed by the <br />road on Rick Hunt's property holdings. <br />3. Air quality impacts - All equipment is kept in compliance with emission standards set <br />by the State. Dust is controlled by watering and is done in compliance with the fugitive <br />dust permit. <br />4. Night lighting impacts - No security light is present on the site and there are no plans <br />to install a security light. Security is provided by power gates that utilize solar power. The <br />gates automatically open each morning at Gam and close at 6pin. At any other times, a <br />keypad code is required to open a gate. There have been no problems at the site. As far as <br />night work lighting is concerned, in the past 10 years there was one time when the site <br />was operated with a double shift for about two weeks. The lights were contained in the pit <br />Miller Gravel Pit -Special Use Permit Page 18 of 26 <br />