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over other mountain predators. Earlier snowmelt could also have impacts on cold water fish <br />species that occupy streams throughout the planning area. Climate change could affect seasonal <br />frequency of flooding and alteration of floodplams, which could impact riparian conditions. <br />More frequent and severe droughts would have impacts on many wildlife species throughout the <br />region as well as vegetative composition and availability of livestock forage in some areas. <br />Climate change could increase the growing season within the region; however, a longer growing <br />season in theory would result in more forage production provided there is sufficient precipitation. <br />Drier conditions could have severe impacts on forests and woodlands. This could leave these <br />forests and woodlands more susceptible to insect damage and at higher risk of catastrophic <br />wildfires. Increased fire activity and intensity would increase greenhouse gas emissions. <br />Stipulations to be Applied as Mitigation: <br />Criteria Pollutant Emissions <br />Mitigation measures and emissions controls would be implemented to reduce particulate <br />matter /fugitive dust emissions during construction and ongoing production activities. It is <br />assumed the facilities would continue to comply with their APCD issued air emissions permit <br />provisions, and any other regulatory requirements the facility is subject to, now or in the near <br />future (GHG emissions reductions, methane capture, New Source Performance Standards, etc.). <br />Fugitive emissions resulting from all vehicles traveling on non -paved surfaces during all <br />project phases would be controlled utilizing water, chemical suppression, or a <br />combination of the two by applying frequently or as needed to the non -paved road <br />surfaces and in accordance with any permit condition or approved fugitive dust control <br />plan required by CPDHE APCD. Storage piles would be watered as necessary to limit <br />wind erosion potential and reduce fugitive emissions. Most of the coal transfer points <br />and processing activities taking place at the Deserado Mine are either enclosed, employ <br />moisture controls, or use other technologies such as bag houses and wet scrubbers to <br />control emissions in accordance with the authorizing air quality permit requirements. <br />Greenhouse Gas Emissions <br />With regard to production activities at the mine, methane liberation from the mine may be <br />reduced through mine planning, sealing previously mined areas, and degasification efforts. <br />GEOLOGY AND MINERALS <br />Affected Environment: <br />The proposed area lies within the White River Basin which is the eastern part of the larger Uinta <br />Basin that extends from northwestern Colorado into eastern Utah. The existing mine is <br />geologically located on the structural southern flank of the southeast plunging asymmetrical Red <br />Wash Syncline. In the B -Seam mine area of the southern flank the syncline dips approximately <br />10 percent to the northeast. The northern flank of the syncline dips to the southwest in excess of <br />25 percent. The axis of the southeast plunging Red Wash syncline dissects the northern portion <br />of the LBA. Surficial geology of the LBA is the upper unit of the cretaceous Mesaverde Group. <br />Within northwestern Colorado the Mesaverde Group has been divided into two formations: the <br />lower Iles Formation and the Williams Fork Formation which are separated by the Trout Creek <br />Sandstone. The lower Williams Fork Formation contains coal seams identified as seams A <br />DOI- BLM -CO- 110 - 2012 - 0023 -EA 33 <br />