2011-09-29_PERMIT FILE - M2009056

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Cumulative Effects Fairplay — Destiny Placer Mine EA - Socioeconomic and Environmental Justice Report costly to those directly affected. If implementation of the proposed action were to occur, efforts should be made to mitigate the impacts to air quality as much as possible. Potential mitigation measures are presented in the air quality report. If properly implemented, the mitigation measures would decrease the total cost associated with the mine. In addition to air quality, noise may also impact the socioeconomic environment. . An analysis was also done to estimate the effects of noise emitted from mining operations. An increase in noise could negatively impact nearby property owners and residents. These impacts could include a decrease in amenity values, property values and quality of life. As reported in the noise analysis, the Colorado State established noise limits for residential areas are 55db (A) from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 50db (A) from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The proposed mining operation would emit noise from several types of equipment, including a front end loader, track hoe, bull dozer, washplant, generator, and dump truck. The total noise level and timing of operation for many of these equipment types is unknown. However, the front end loader alone exceeds the state noise limit for residential areas. Operation of other types of equipment would further increase the noise level that nearby residents would be exposed to. It is assumed that this would negatively impact socioeconomic conditions; but the degree to which is currently unknown. The noise analysis recommends mitigation measures to reduce noise to acceptable levels. If successful, this would limit the negative impacts experienced by nearby residents. Ultimately, it would be the reduction of amenity values discussed above that would make nearby homes less desirable to live in, which would place downward pressure on property values. Restricted access, lower visual quality, and increases in noise, dust and traffic all tend to reduce the aesthetic quality and amenity values realized by nearby residents during the life of the mine. If proper measures are taken to mitigate these effects, then the effects on property values could be negligible. However, in the event that such effects are not properly mitigated, then nearby property owners could experience a decrease in the value of their homes. The cumulative effects of the proposed action include the total change in social and economic conditions that would result from the development of this mine in conjunction with the direct and indirect effects of other present and reasonably foreseeable activities being conducted in Park County. It assumed that the effects from past activities have already been absorbed by local communities and are represented in the affected environment. Any change in the social and economic environment as a result of this management alternative would be in addition to other mining activities occurring simultaneously in the region as well as those that could reasonably occur in the future. Each project may have a very small effect on the social and economic conditions of the study area individually; however, cumulatively, they could substantially change the distribution of jobs and income, as well as affect many of the social variables discussed above. There are currently 24 active mining permits in Park County. Acreages for the permits range from 3.39 to 260. Commodities currently being mined include: sand, gravel, gold, silver, peat, gemstones, and borrow material for construction. The only application currently under review that would allow additional mining activity in the Park County is that for the Destiny Mine being evaluated in this document (State of Colorado, 2010). Estimating the economic and social impact for each one of these activities is 13