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6 The degree to which the action or alternatives may establish a precedent for future • <br />actions with significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future <br />consideration. <br />The proposed action is not precedent setting. Mining is a well established practice and is <br />a recognized use of BLM land. Mining has occurred under BLM and state regulations for <br />decades. My approval of the mine expansion does not represent a new use of the land or <br />a new process for permitting, and therefore sets no precedent for any future actions in this <br />area. <br />7. Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but <br />cumulatively significant impacts. <br />The traffic generated by this specific proposed action will combine with the traffic <br />already using the highway and contribute towards a cumulative effect. This cumulative <br />effect is the increased wear and tear on the highway from the new traffic combining with <br />the existing traffic. Existing traffic utilizing Highway 491 already includes: <br />• Vehicles used for recreational purposes. <br />• Vehicles used for industrial purposes. le. Oil and gas exploration and <br />development <br />• Employees and other Federally, State and County permitted uses <br />The long-term increase in traffic generated by this proposed action contributing to • <br />existing traffic, will consist primarily of employee vehicles and trucks to haul the ore. <br />The operator has been working with, and will continue to work with San Miguel County <br />and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) regarding the effects to the <br />county road and state Highway 491, to mitigate any impacts identified from this <br />additional use. It is not anticipated that the individually insignificant increase of activity <br />thorough this action, will contribute to a cumulatively significant impact. <br />8. The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways, <br />structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of <br />Historic Places, or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or <br />historical resources. <br />As explained in the EA, effects on cultural resources will be minimal. All surface <br />disturbing activity will require inventory of the area proposed to be disturbed, and if <br />cultural or pre-historic properties are located, they will be avoided or recovered. New <br />access roads may allow the general public to access any cultural sites that may be present <br />near by. Mitigations have been developed to minimize the period which access roads <br />will remain open. We have consulted with the Colorado State Historic Preservation <br />Office, and they have concurred with this approach. <br />9. The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened <br />species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered <br />Species Act of 1973, or the degree to which the action may adversely affect. 1) a <br />Sunday Mines Expansion -4- Dolores Public Lands Office • <br />Finding of No Significant Impact January 30, 2009