2013-06-25_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - P2011012

Home Browse Search

Intensity The following discussion is organized around the Ten Significance Criteria described in 40 CFR 1508.27. The following have been considered in evaluating intensity for this proposal: 1. Impacts may be both beneficial and adverse. The EA analyzed effects to resources that may be both beneficial and adverse. Measures to reduce impacts to all affected resources were incorporated in the design of the action alternatives, or are included as conditions of approval. None of the environmental effects discussed in detail in the EA and associated appendices are considered significant (EA at Chapters 3 and 4). 2. The degree to which the selected alternative affect pudic health or safety. The proposed action, including its design features and conditions of approval, is not expected to significantly impact public health and safety (EA at Section 1.9). 3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or cultural resources, park lands, prime farm lands, wetlands, wilderness, wilderness study areas, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical areas. Impacts to historic and cultural resources, parks lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, and ecologically critical areas were all considered when designing the Selected Alternative. The historic and cultural resources of the area have been inventoried and potential impacts mitigated in the design of Selected Alternative. The following components of the Human Environment and Resource Issues are not affected because they are not present in the project area: Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Prime and Unique Farmlands, parklands, wetlands. 4. The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be highly controversial. There is no scientific controversy over the nature of the impacts that would result from the implementation of this project. 5. The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highl- uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks. The project is not unique or unusual. While potash exploration is new to the BLM Tres Rios Field Office, it has been done in other BLM offices. Additionally, it shares many similarities with oil and gas drilling, which is done frequently in this office. The environmental effects to the human environment are analyzed in the EA. There are no predicted effects on the human environment that are considered to be highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks. 6. The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions v ith significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future consideration.