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Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC <br />production from the proposed lease area would replace coal that is currently produced <br />from the existing ColoWyo coal mine. Current employment at the existing ColoWyo <br />mine will be transferred to the proposed coal mine. The maintenance of direct and <br />indirect employment associated with all aspects of coal production, both locally and <br />regionally would be maintained. Advance lease royalties will have a positive impact on <br />the ability of local governments to prepare for development of the proposed lease area. <br />Potential tax revenues and royalties generated for the federal government and distributed <br />to state and local entities would be realized. A reliable source of low- sulfur coal would be <br />available for electrical utilities throughout the region. <br />4.3.17 Land Use <br />Land use of the proposed lease area will change from livestock grazing and wildlife <br />habitat to surface mining. This impact will be localized and last the life of the mine. <br />Land -use change should have minimal environmental consequences, as post- mining <br />rehabilitation will provide for rangeland livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Regional <br />land use should not be affected by the proposed coalmine. <br />4.4 Non - Critical Resources or Issues <br />Table 15 is a list of resources or issues that are classified as non - critical to issuing the <br />proposed coal lease. Those that are brought forward for analysis by BLM will be treated <br />similarly as the resources and issues classified as critical. <br />Table 16 Non - Critical Resources or Issues <br />m'Criticat`Elemen <br />Access <br />Realty Authorizations <br />Recreation / Travel Management <br />Visual Resources <br />Wild Horse & Burro Management <br />Forest Management <br />X <br />X <br />X <br />X <br />X <br />X <br />placable and <br />R Present <br />and Brought'Forwarc <br />for. Analysis <br />4.5 Cumulative Impacts Summary <br />Cumulative impacts resulting from issuing permit to mine coal on the proposed lease area <br />will be assessed according to BLM Standards for Public Land Health and Guidelines for <br />Livestock Grazing Management in Colorado (1995). <br />4.5.1 Plant and Animal Community (animal) Standard <br />The proposed lease area provides a variety of habitats for big game, game birds, <br />migratory birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. This standard would not be <br />met while the coal mine is active. After mining ceases, the lease area would be fully <br />P PROJECTS CColom yo 6188 EA Final BLM -v -E:\ Collom oEU Ioc. ■u. <br />55 <br />