2008-02-22_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2008086 (39)

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CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Mine and Facilities Dispersed recreation, including mountain biking, occurs in the location of the proposed mine and facilities; these areas would be permanently closed to recreation for the life of the project. There is an existing two-track road partially within the mine area that can be accessed via County Road (CR) X (otherwise known as Mitchell Road or Power Line Road) that will be closed to public use. However, this area is not considered ahigh-use area. The BLM Bicycle Emphasis Area, primarily accessed by CR 18, is located several miles to the east of the project area and would not be impacted by mine construction or operations. Figure 3-1, Recreational Trails within the North Fruita Desert SRMA, shows the mine, associated linear features, and recreational trails within the project area. Lease Area A negligible section of the lease area is within the North Fruita SRMA. No aboveground facilities would be located in the lease area within the North Fruita SRMA; therefore, there would be no impacts to recreation. Railroad Part of the railroad route is within the North Fruita Desert SRMA. The railroad alignment crosses four segments ofBLM-managed trails. Part of the railroad alignment is within 0.5 mile of Highline Lake State Park The railroad alignment would not have direct impacts to recreationists at Highline Lake State Park, but may have indirect visual impacts to recreational users. See Section 4.1.8 for discussion of visual impacts. Water Pipeline The water pipeline follows the railroad alignment. Part of the water pipeline is within the North Fruita Desert SRMA, and construction of the pipeline may disturb recreational use of affected trails. Normal recreational activities would resume following pipeline construction. Transmission Line The proposed transmission line is located on private lands south of the Highline Canal, and would not impact recreation in this area. The portion of the transmission line that runs through the North Fruita Desert SRMA crosses six segments of trails and is within 0.5 mile of the Mack Wash loop trail for the entire extent of the transmission line route on BLM lands. The transmission line will be placed so that poles do not alter existing trails; however, access roads may directly impact trails. The transmission line may have indirect visual impacts to recreational users. Temporary Impacts Temporary impacts to dispersed recreation may occur during construction of the transmission line and water pipeline, as recreation areas may be temporarily closed during construction, and trails may be temporarily altered by construction impacts (e.g., temporary access roads). The transmission line would span existing trails, and would not directly impact trails. 4-11 DBMS 566