Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Contents
Chapter 1. Purpose of and Need for Action ................................................................................. 1
Background .............................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose of and Need for Action ............................................................................................... 2
Proposed Action ....................................................................................................................... 3
Decision Framework ................................................................................................................ 6
Public Involvement .................................................................................................................. 7
Issues ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Other Related Efforts.............................................................................................................. 18
Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action ........................................................ 29
Alternatives Considered in Detail .......................................................................................... 29
Mitigation Common to All Alternatives................................................................................. 55
Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study .............................................. 58
Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................................... 62
Other Actions and Projects Considered in Cumulative Effects Analysis ............................... 83
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences .................................. 91
Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 91
Geology and Soils .................................................................................................................. 96
Water Resources ................................................................................................................... 111
Air Quality ............................................................................................................................ 180
Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 196
Wildlife ................................................................................................................................. 211
Land Use .............................................................................................................................. 246
Recreation ............................................................................................................................. 257
Environmental Justice and Protection of Children ............................................................... 264
Socioeconomics .................................................................................................................... 279
Cultural and Historic Resources ........................................................................................... 296
Visual Resources .................................................................................................................. 361
Transportation ...................................................................................................................... 371
Human Health and Safety..................................................................................................... 377
Legacy Issues – New Mexico Uranium Mining ................................................................... 433
Short-term Uses and Long-term Productivity ...................................................................... 442
Unavoidable Adverse Effects ............................................................................................... 443
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources ................................................... 446
Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................... 447
Other Required Disclosures .................................................................................................. 447
Chapter 4. Consultation and Coordination ............................................................................. 449
List of Agencies, Organizations and Persons to Whom Copies of the DEIS Were Sent .... 452
DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest xiii