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

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CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Permanent Impacts The project would require night lighting in certain locations including the office, shop, warehouse, sewage treatment plant, and active mine areas. This would create a noticeable nighttime light source, although it would be at least 2 miles from the nearest resident. The visual impacts would combine to create a different looking landscape in portions of the project area. The physical alteration of the existing landscape would be substantial in some areas, and the existing undeveloped natural appearance of the area would change due to the industrial facilities on site and the creation of linear features. Permanent visual impacts would be associated with the railroad, transmission line, access and maintenance roads, the mine facilities and associated benches, and the coal waste area. Mitigation Measures Temporary construction areas would be revegetated according to BLM policy, thus reducing visual impacts due to construction. Some mine facilities could be painted colors that would blend with the background colors. Upon termination of the project, the aboveground mine facilities would be removed and the area would be revegetated in accordance with BLM policy. Alternatives Carried Forward for Further Consideration Grade-Separated Crossing at CR M.8 In addition to the visual impacts described previously, agrade-separated railroad crossing at CR M.8 would involve construction of a bridge supported by concrete capped piles. The bridge over Mack Wash and CR M8 would be approximately 35 feet higher than the existing road grade. This would be highly visible to travelers on CR M 8. Four-Quadrant Traffic Control Devices Four-quadrant gate systems consist of a series of automatic flashing-light signals and gates where the gates extend across both the approach and departure side of roadway lanes. Unlike two-quadrant gate systems, four-quadrant gates provide additional visual constraint and inhibit nearly all traffic movements over the crossing after the gates have been lowered (USDOT 2002). These systems are designed to be highly visible for the purpose of increasing safety, especially when a train is approaching and crossing the county roads. Transmission Line Alternative A Transmission line Alternative A is adjacent to 90 parcels of land south of the Highline Canal, crosses 19 parcels of private land north of the Highline Canal, and is adjacent to 1 trail in the North Fruita Desert SRMA. North of the Highline Canal, the line would be parallel with and adjacent to CR 16 for over 5 miles (see Figure 2-12). There are currently no transmission or distribution lines along CR 16 in that location. Visual impacts to residents north of the Highline Canal would be greater than the proposed action, as there is currently no transmission line crossing those private land parcels. 4-3 8 DBMS 593