Laserfiche WebLink
BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA <br />surface water resources in smaller tributary drainages are limited to spring runoff and very large <br />thunderstorm events; therefore, subsidence - induced impacts in these drainages would be minimal. <br />Due to the overriding influence of continued drought in the North Fork basin and the fact that creek <br />flow is unlikely to be affected by subsidence or mine operations; it is unlikely that water resource <br />allocations for the greater watershed will be impacted. <br />Accidental fuel or solvent spills from post -lease activities or through activities on private lands <br />could impact shallow groundwater locally and surface water. An SPCC plan has been prepared to <br />avoid impacts and respond to any spills that occur. <br />The potential for cumulative groundwater impacts in the study area is expected to be minimal. In <br />adjacent lands private domestic wells could be drilled and septic systems could be installed. <br />Adjacent private lands could be mined and water resource impacts on those lands would be similar <br />to that described above. Appropriate state and county regulations would have to be followed, <br />minimizing impacts to groundwater quantity and quality. <br />3.12.2.2 No Action <br />Under the no action alternative, there would be no disturbance and therefore no impacts on surface <br />or groundwater quality. <br />3.13 Social and Economic Conditions <br />3.13.1 Affected Environment <br />Delta County is the county of residence for most of the mining personnel and supports most of the <br />indirect employment that provides supplies and services to mine workers and their families. The <br />indirect businesses that provide support services to the West Elk Mine operations include shipping <br />companies, railroad and rail services, power generating companies, delivery services, and general <br />supply companies and services. Delta County receives the indirect financial benefit and tax revenue <br />from the indirect businesses that support the mine, and the tax base from the workers, and their <br />families, that reside in the County. Gunnison County is included in the area of influence because the <br />proposed exploration is located in Gunnison County, and the county receives royalty and tax <br />revenues from the mine <br />3.13.2 Environmental Consequences <br />3.13.2.1 Proposed Action <br />Direct and Indirect Effects <br />Exploration would provide temporary employment for exploration drillers, resource evaluators, and <br />reclamation personnel. Exploration would provide more certainty as to the presence of minable <br />coal. <br />Cumulative Effects <br />It is estimated that mining the coal reserves in the exploration area would increase the West Elk <br />mine life by approximately three years, Confirmation of that estimate is desirable to bring forth the <br />most efficient mine plan. <br />June 2013 29 <br />