2013-04-11_REVISION - C1981018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action: Direct and Indirect Effects: Leasing of the proposed lands would result in approximately 56 acres of disturbance for mining activities across the 3,154.76 acres up for lease. The disturbance would require the complete removal of vegetation and soil disturbance for the construction of well pads and roads. Disturbance of soil and vegetation does create opportunity for weeds to establish or spread in disturbed areas. There is also an opportunity for new weeds to be brought into the area on construction equipment. The disturbance for these wells is relatively short-term averaging approximately 1 to 3 years while the area is being mined, and successful reclamation does provide an opportunity to improve existing vegetative communities. Cumulative Effects: Past and current development in the area has caused disturbance of vegetative communities and provided an opportunity for weeds to establish. Previous reclamation along with weed management using mechanical and chemical control has minimized the spread of weeds and in some instances improved vegetation within the area. Development into the future is expected to continue, but with proper reclamation and management of weeds, cumulative effects are anticipated to be almost immeasurable at a landscape level. Environmental Consequences of the No Action Alternative: Direct and Indirect Effects: The No Action Alternative would result in no lease being offered on the proposed lands and no surface disturbance would be required for coal mining. Cumulative Effects: Past and present impacts are currently within the thresholds analyzed, and no additional effects would occur if no lease is offered. Stipulations to he Applied as Mitigation: 1. BMEwill be required to manage weeds on areas disturbed for mining activities. 2. Pesticide Use Proposals (PUPS) will be submitted and approved by the WRFO prior to the use of any herbicides on BLM lands. 3. Herbicide use will be under the supervision of a certified pesticide applicator 4. Pesticide Application Records (PARS) will be submitted to the WRFO at the end of each field season (October 31S). PARS are required to be filled out every day that herbicides are applied. SPECIAL STATUS ANIMAL SPECIES Affected Environment Section 7 Consultation (listed Colorado River fishes) and Conferral (Experimental Non - essential population of black- footed ferrets) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) was initiated on July 6, 2012 with regard to potential influences of the Proposed Action on listed and proposed threatened and endangered species. The FWS concurs (FWS 2012) with the BLM's Biological Assessment. Endangered Colorado River Fishes and BLM- Sensitive Fishes of the White River The White River and its 100 -year floodplain downstream of Rio Blanco Lake are designated critical habitat for the endangered Colorado pikeminnow. Pike - minnow are currently confined to the White River below Taylor Draw Dam, about 6 river miles downstream of the Red Wash DOI- BLM -CO- 110- 2012- 0023 -EA 44