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be pushed into a berm around the perimeter of the mine area and seeded as recommended by Natural <br />Resource Conservation service for stabilization. <br />These top soils are very shallow, only the top 8 inches should be removed and seeded. The top <br />soil from the access road and any roads inside the 5 acre project site will be stockpiled and seeded. <br />The proposed action will disturb the vegetation on a small area. The reclamation stipulations will be <br />adequate to restore the disturbed area to native plant species. <br />Cumulative Impacts: The stockpiling and seeding of removed top soil will minimize the <br />cumulative impact to the vegetation resource in this area. <br />Mitigation/Residual Effects: The top soil from the access road and any roads inside the 5 acre <br />project site will be stockpiled and seeded. <br />No Action Alternative <br />Direct and Indirect Impacts: If no action is taken, the proposal would not be discretionary <br />under the 1872 mining law. The applicant would still be able to proceed with mining on the parcel; <br />however the sale of sand and gravel would not be permitted. Overall, this would have the same effects <br />on vegetation resources as the Proposed Action, but there would probably be a hill left after <br />reclamation rather than a pit. <br />Cumulative Impacts: Cumulative impacts under the No Action Alternative would be similar to <br />the Proposed Action. <br />Action. <br />Mitigation/Residual Effects: Mitigation and Residual Effects would be similar to the Proposed <br />Alternative 1 <br />Direct and Indirect Impacts: Alternative 1 and associated impacts would be similar to the No <br />Action Alternative. <br />Cumulative Impacts: Alternative 1 and associated cumulative impacts would be similar to the <br />No Action Alternative. <br />Mitigation/Residual Effects: Alternative 1 and associated residual impacts would be similar to <br />the No Action Alternative. <br />Finding on the Public Land Health Standard for Plant and Animal Communities: <br />There has been no formal health assessment conducted on the project site. However, based on <br />informal observations it would appear the site is meeting standards for upland vegetation. <br />WETLANDS & RIPARIAN ZONES (includes a finding on Standard 2) <br />Affected Environment: The parcel discussed under any alternative is upland with relatively well - <br />drained soils that does not support wetland development. Riparian wetland resources exist <br />approximately 200 yards north on non BLM land, but wetlands are not present where the mine action <br />is proposed. Seasonal surface water, primarily snowmelt during periods of frozen ground can persist <br />but not for a length of time to support wetland plants. <br />29 <br />