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present numbers, as soon as it obtains permission from the State of <br /> Colorado. As an alternative, CWI is exploring the possibility of <br /> constructing either a separate coal haulage road or combination coal <br /> haulage road/partial conveyor to bypass the residences of concern. CWI <br /> has also agreed to retain an independent highway consultant to review <br /> the truck haul situation for the purpose of making any appropriate <br /> changes in procedures. <br /> Also of concern are the possible effects that could occur should <br /> CWI not be allowed to increase production from Lease C-27432 by the <br /> BLM' s refusal to eliminate Special Stipulation 3Oc from the lease. <br /> Layoffs of miners or an entire shut-down of the Orchard Valley Mine may <br /> occur. A mid-western utility and a rubber company would have to find <br /> other sources for low-sulphur, high-BTU coal . Ripple effects of a CWI <br /> layoff or shut-down of the Orchard Valley Mine might cause some unem- <br /> ployment, a loss of local and county tax revenues, and other effects <br /> associated with a depressed local economy. When compared with regional <br /> projection for increased coal production, these last consequences may <br /> not be of regional significance because of likely absorption effects. <br /> However, on a local (Paonia/Hotchkiss) basis, these effects could be <br /> significant. In considering the enterprise itself, CWI has actively <br /> sought to produce coal from its Federal coal leases in a region that has <br /> seen little new development for some 30 years, at a time when production <br /> of coal is of national significance. The company has invested a large <br /> amount-of capital in its facilities, and has the apparent support of the <br /> regional and local units of government, local businesses, and most <br /> citizens of Delta County. <br /> It is not considered necessary to examine the decision in greater <br /> detail , such as in an EIS. Four detailed environmental analyses have <br /> considered the impacts of the Orchard Valley Mine, both in itself and <br /> relation to other anticipated actions in the region. What is occurring <br /> is not unique; it is the anticipated consequence of growth due .to energy <br /> related development in the west. <br /> The increase in production, and the resulting increase in truck <br /> traffic due to coal haulage would be subject to the suggested mitigating <br /> measures outlined in Section Four, Alternative Two, Mitigation Measures , <br /> page 21, in this document, as well as mitigating measures developed in <br /> TE/EAR CO-030-9-34. <br /> SECTION THREE -- DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT <br /> A description of the affected environment for the CWI Orchard <br /> Valley Mine and vicinity is found in Chapter Two of the TE/EAR <br /> CO-030-9-34 of March 13, 1979. A complete description of the affected <br /> environment of both the mine and west-central Colorado is found in the <br /> Final West-Central Coal Colorado Environmental Statement. The environ- <br /> ment as it existed at the time of the original action to allow the <br /> establishment of the mine and associated rights-of-way is described in <br /> the Environmental Assessment Record CO-030-7-79, dated June 24, 1977 <br /> (CWI EAR). <br /> 7 <br />