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NOISE <br />The detailed analysis of the affected environment and environmental effects pertaining to Noise can be <br />found in the Noise Assessment Report located in Appendix 2, which was provided by the operator. The <br />discussion below contains excerpts from this report. <br />Affected Environment: The proposed mine will consistently utilize a backhoe, trackhoe, generator and <br />washplant, which may potentially contribute to an increase in noise for the surrounding area. The type <br />of noise that is being analyzed for this mining proposal is related to the overall noise level for a <br />community and not specific, job related problems. This analysis is intended to achieve an <br />understandable correlation between regional conditions, standards established by regulations and <br />policy and modeled noise measurements. <br />The main contributors to a community noise problem typically consist of transportation sources, such <br />as airports, railroads and highways. Lake County airport is the closest airport to the proposed <br />operation, at a location southwest of Leadville that is approximately 17 miles due west of the proposed <br />mine site. Leadville is also home to the closest active railroad, however, it is primarily used for tourism <br />and runs on a limited basis throughout the year. Therefore, the most consistent contributing factor of <br />noise currently in the Fairplay area appears to be highways. <br />The proposed mining operation is located in Park County and centered near the junction of Colorado <br />State Highway 9 and U.S. Highway 285. This area encompasses at least five city -sized streets, with the <br />surrounding Park County area having at least five maintained county roads and multiple networks of <br />subdivision streets and private driveways. In addition, off - highway vehicle use occurs within the 80- <br />acre BLM parcel. <br />Environmental Effects <br />Proposed Action <br />Direct and Indirect Impacts: Noise from the work site was ultimately assessed with respect to <br />the closest residential property The proposed mining is considered an industrial activity and is located <br />on a BLM parcel of land that is situated within a part of the county that allows for this type of activity. <br />However, based on the adjacent location to residential area in the City of Fairplay, this activity by <br />itself may be considered to generate an unacceptable level of noise. Therefore, mitigation would be <br />required in attempts to lower the noise levels that would be travelling off site. <br />Cumulative Impacts: Cumulative impacts of increased noise levels could be most noticeable <br />within the immediate surrounding areas, as there are other nearby similar operations already generating <br />noise. For example, noise generation from the off - highway vehicle use that occurs on this BLM parcel <br />is regulated by the State of Colorado, which has set a legal limit of 99 decibels for these types of <br />sources. However, depending on the level of mitigation, the cumulative impacts to these areas may not <br />be significantly increased. It is assumed that the effects from ongoing, similar activities in the area <br />have already been absorbed by local communities and are represented in the affected environment. <br />Mitigation/Residual Effects: Below is a summary of what was originally proposed by the operator, <br />as well as recommendations from the Noise Assessment: <br />•44 <br />