2013-07-01_PERMIT FILE - X201322801 (3)

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BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA suspended particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) and one for fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5)- 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences 3.2.2.1 Proposed Action Direct and Indirect Effects Drill pads, access road construction, and drilling would result in minor short-term increases in criteria and non - criteria pollutants from combustion engines and soil disturbance. About eight project - specific vehicles would be on -site (within the exploration area) at any one time. The vehicles would not be concentrated, but instead would be completing different operations at different locations. Vehicles include both heavy -and light -duty trucks and engines with no other existing emission sources. For these reasons, increases in criteria and non - criteria pollutants will not result in an exceedance of any hourly, 8 -hour average, or daily NAAQ standards or Colorado ambient air quality (CAAQ) standards. Fugitive dust from soil disturbing activities such as road and drill pad construction could result in an increase in suspended particulates. Drill pads and roads would be reclaimed after exploration drilling operations are completed to minimize impacts from fugitive dust. All impacts to air quality would be minor, short-term and temporary. An emissions inventory was prepared to show the total amounts of criteria and greenhouse gas pollutants that are likely to be emitted (Table 4). With respect to both the criteria pollutants and greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, and N20) emissions, the levels emitted on an annualized basis are not significant and do not warrant any further analysis when considered against regional emissions and recent monitoring data. Gunnison County emissions from the most recent EPA National Emissions Inventory (EPA, 2008) have been included for comparison. Table 4. Emissions Inventory 1 EPA 2008 National Emissions Inventory (EPA, 2008) Cumulative Impacts For air quality, the cumulative impacts analysis area is defined as the North Fork Valley. The proposed action would result in minor, short-term air quality impacts. Oil and gas exploration, operation and development could result in similar air quality impacts. Cumulatively, air quality impacts will be minor. All cumulative air quality impacts would be short-term and minimal. There is no indication from available data (monitoring near the mine, see the FEIS page 76) that any violations of ambient air quality are occurring. It is therefore not expected that there will be any appreciable effect on criteria pollutant levels. Predicted future emissions are expected to be essentially the same as current emissions. June 2013 15 Pollutants (Tons) S02 PM,o PM2.5 CO NO,, VOCs CO2 CH, N20 Total Emissions 2013 0.06 9.24 1.11 1.44 3.16 0.31 208.94 0.01 0.00 Total Emissions 2014 0.08 12.09 1.49 2.14 4.7 0.46 307.89 0.02 0.01 Gunnison County Emissions' 79 2,739 1,202 18,562 1,309 3,108 229,433 389 1.12 1 EPA 2008 National Emissions Inventory (EPA, 2008) Cumulative Impacts For air quality, the cumulative impacts analysis area is defined as the North Fork Valley. The proposed action would result in minor, short-term air quality impacts. Oil and gas exploration, operation and development could result in similar air quality impacts. Cumulatively, air quality impacts will be minor. All cumulative air quality impacts would be short-term and minimal. There is no indication from available data (monitoring near the mine, see the FEIS page 76) that any violations of ambient air quality are occurring. It is therefore not expected that there will be any appreciable effect on criteria pollutant levels. Predicted future emissions are expected to be essentially the same as current emissions. June 2013 15