Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
As described in chapter 2, a number of other projects related to uranium exploration and mines
are reasonably foreseeable in Cibola and McKinley Counties. In effect, if the Roca Honda Mine
were to open and operate, and a portion of these other projects were to be realized, the potential
economic effects on minority and low-income populations would represent a long term,
moderately beneficial, cumulative impact related to environmental justice. On the other hand,
there would also be a corresponding cumulative, moderately adverse social impact for those
American Indians concerned about Mt. Taylor, and for those minorities and low-income residents
convinced that new uranium mining projects would exacerbate long-standing and unresolved
legacy health issues (see “Human Health and Safety” and “Legacy Issues” sections for more
detailed discussion). Beneficial and adverse cumulative effects would be significant.
Socioeconomics
Affected Environment
The analysis of socioeconomic resources identifies those aspects of the social and economic
environment that are sensitive to changes and that may be affected by the proposal to conduct
mining operations for a period of approximately 18.5 years, including mine development,
operations, and reclamation. The assessment specifically considers how these actions might affect
individuals, surrounding communities, and the larger social and economic systems of Cibola and
McKinley Counties, the surrounding region; and the State of New Mexico. This section addresses
the socioeconomic conditions that may be affected by implementation of the proposed actions
and any potential sources of impact.
The proposed uranium mine, located in McKinley County, New Mexico, approximately 3 miles
northwest of San Mateo and 22 miles northeast of Grants, NM, would be situated on both State
and National Forest land. Sections 9 and 10 (2 square miles) are National Forest System lands,
which are open to mineral entry under the General Mining Law of 1872. Section 16 (1 square
mile) is State of New Mexico land, which is not subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Forest
Service. The actual mine and related operations would take place in McKinley and Cibola
Counties and,, therefore are defined as the region of influence (ROI) since impacts to individuals,
communities, and economic systems may be associated with implementation of the proposed
action.
The data supporting this analysis are collected from standard sources, including the U.S. Census
Bureau, Federal, State, and local agencies or other research institutes. This section addresses the
socioeconomic conditions that may be affected by implementation of the proposed action and any
potential sources of impact.
Population
The 2010 estimated combined population of Cibola and McKinley Counties is 98,705, a net
decrease of 1,688 or 1.7 percent from the 2000 estimated population of 100,393. The 2010 total
population of Cibola County was 27,213, a 6.3 percent increase since the 2000 census. The total
2010 McKinley County population was 71,492, a 4.4 percent decrease since 2000. As shown in
table 45, McKinley County has the larger population of the two counties, and experienced not
only a decrease in population but also a larger change between the two during this period.
DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest 279