Laserfiche WebLink
Coal haulage by unit trains currently averages 1.5 unit trains of <br /> 100 cars each per week. With the increase in production to 1.3 million <br /> tons per year, there would be an additional 1. 3 unit trains per week. <br /> On a monthly basis, the increase would be from the present average 5.8 <br /> unit trains per month to 10.8 unit trains per month. The unit trains <br /> from CWI would increase 87 percent. In conjunction with all other <br /> traffic in the valley, the increase would be 20 percent. <br /> An increase in worker traffic to and from the mine would occur. <br /> This would be in proportion to the expected increase in employment at ' <br /> the time, assuming there is no change in the proportion of employees <br /> carpooling. <br /> Transportation impacts would probably be the most significant <br /> impacts due to this alternative. The increase in heavy truck traffic <br /> would significantly decrease the quality of life in the vicinity of the <br /> Orchard Valley Mine. This has been documented by letters and personal <br /> contact of residents living along the coal haulage route. <br /> Mitigating Measures <br /> The following mitigation measures have been committed to by CWI and <br /> will reduce the impacts of interim truck haulage of coal until CWI has <br /> the opportunity to secure a long-term competitive coal lease (possibly <br /> 1983). They are in addition to mitigation measures identified in TE/EAR <br /> CO-030-9-34. <br /> 1. CWI will operate in full compliance with all existing laws, <br /> rules, and regulations and take reasonable interim and long- <br /> term steps to mitigate any significant environmental impacts <br /> of increased trucking on State Highway 133 resulting from <br /> increased production at the Orchard Valley Mine. <br /> This stipulation will , as a minimum, ensure compliance with <br /> noise, air quality, and other standards and provide for the <br /> possibility of greatly exceeding the requirements. <br /> 2. CWI will retain an independent highway consultant to review <br /> the truck haul situation for the purpose of making any appro- <br /> priate suggestions for changes in procedures. <br /> Retention of an independent highway consultant and the sug- <br /> gestions he may make, will give CWI , Delta County, and the <br /> Colorado Division of Highways some concrete information on how <br /> to reduce or eliminate safety hazards or other impacts of the <br /> interim truck haulage. <br /> 21 <br />