2013-06-03_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1977215

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2.0 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) The significance of environmental impacts must be considered in terms of context and intensity. This means that the significance of an action must be analyzed in several contexts such as society as a whole (human and national), the affected region, the affected interests, and the locality. Significance varies with the setting of the proposed action. In the case of a site specific action, significance usually depends upon the effects in the locale rather than in the world as a whole. Intensity refers to the severity or degree of impact. (40 CFR 1508.27) 2.1 CONTEXT This project is site specific and does not necessitate the making of an international, national, regional or statewide decision. The geographic scope of this analysis is Mineral County, Colorado, with particular focus on the community of Creede. 2.2 INTENSITY The following discussion is organized around the ten intensity factors described in the National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1508.27) as they pertain to the context of the Bulldog Underground Exploration and Development Project. 1. Impacts may be both beneficial and adverse. A significant effect may exist even if the Federal agency believes that, on balance, the effect will be beneficial. Consideration of the intensity of environmental effects is not biased by beneficial effects of the action. No significant adverse effects were found (EA, pages 25 -87). 2. The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or safety. There will be no significant effects on public health and safety because surface disturbing activities will be conducted in conformance with federal and State of Colorado health and safety requirements. Reclamation of disturbed areas will be completed as soon as practicable after exploration operations are completed. In the interest of public health and safety, the general public is not allowed near the Bulldog portal, or active construction sites. Interruption to traffic on the Bachelor Loop Road would be short term and conducted during daylight hours, with appropriate traffic control signs and safety measures. 3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area, such as proximity to historic or cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical areas. There will be no significant effects on the unique characteristics of the area because, there are no park lands, prime farmlands, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical areas in or near the project area (EA, page 7). The project area has been inventoried for wetlands, and, although some wetlands exist in the area, there will be no construction activities in wetland areas. There will be minimal crossings of drainages that may be considered as Waters of the U.S., but such crossings will be made perpendicular to the drainage channels and will have minimal non- Bulldog Underground Exploration and Development Project DN/FONSI Page 6