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Chapter ~ <br />Seven comments were received on the DEIS. <br />Comments and their corresponding responses <br />can be found in Chapter 5. <br />escapeway could affect big game on their <br />winter range. <br />• <br />Issues <br />The Forest Service separated the issues into <br />two groups: significant and non-significant <br />issues. Significant issues were defined as those <br />directly or indirectly caused by implementing <br />the proposed action. Non-significant issues <br />were identified as those: 1) outside the scope of <br />the proposed action; 2} already decided by law, <br />regulation, Forest Plan, or other higher level <br />decision; 3) irrelevant to the decision to be <br />made; or 4) conjectural and not supported by <br />scientific or factual evidence. The Council on <br />Environmental. Quality (CEQ) NEPA <br />regulations explain this delineation in Sec. <br />1501.7, "...identify and eliminate from detailed <br />study the issues which are not significant or <br />which have been covered by prior <br />environmental review (Sec. 1506.3)...." <br />Significant Issues <br />The Forest Service identified the following <br />issues which are analyzed in detail in the EIS. <br />In most cases, a design criteria has been <br />developed to minimize impacts (Table 2-1), the <br />remainder were addressed through effects <br />analysis in Chapter 3. <br />Socioeconomic <br />Loss of coal mining at the West Elk Mine <br />would be a loss of revenue to the local <br />economy. Local impact on social and economic <br />conditions may be measured in terms of <br />revenue generated and jobs maintained. <br />Wildlife <br />The addition of roads and pads may fragment <br />or destroy habitat for threatened, endangered, <br />sensitive and management indicator species. <br />Noise and ground disturbing activity may <br />disrupt an area that is important for big game <br />winter range and migration routes. <br />Granting relief from the timing restriction for <br />the construction of the ventilation shaft and <br />Soils and Geologic Hazards <br />Construction activities in areas with geologic <br />hazards and fine textured soils may cause slope <br />instability and increased erosion potential. <br />Vegetation <br />The addition of roads and pads may fragment <br />or destroy habitat for threatened, endangered or <br />sensitive plants. <br />Surface disturbance of riparian vegetation and <br />associated habitats may increase erosion and <br />sedimentation in surface waters. <br />The addition of roads and pads may remove <br />vegetative cover necessary for forage and <br />ground cover. <br />Ground disturbing activities inay increase the <br />potential for noxious weeds. <br />Cultural Resources <br />Ground disturbing construction activities may <br />disturb cultural sites. <br />Land Uses, Including Recreation <br />Road construction, activities, and disturbance <br />may affect existing land uses, visual quality, <br />and recreational opportunities. <br />Inventoried Roadless Areas <br />Road construction in IRA may reduce the <br />roadless character. <br />Roads and Facilities <br />Portions of existing roads may be used to <br />access the project area and may receive <br />increased traffic and wear-and-tear for the life <br />of the mine. <br />Roads should be designed to accommodate the <br />purpose and weight of vehicles that will need to <br />use the roads. <br />Visual Resources <br />Visual resources will be impacted by well pads <br />and access roads which will disrupt line, foiYn <br />and color patterns. Use of design criteria <br />measures such as following contours and using <br />._. <br />• <br />_^ <br />• <br />10 Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FE1S <br />