Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
input. After consideration and appropriate incorporation of the input from the consulting parties,
the report will be submitted to the NMSHPO as part of formal Section 106 consultation.
Geomorphological Study
Geomorphology is the study of how landforms on the surface of the earth are created through
wind, water, and other forces. The Forest Service oversaw a geomorphological study in the
proposed mine permit area to address questions raised by the consulting parties about the
potential for deeply buried cultural deposits in the physical APE. The report on the
geomorphological study has recently been made available to the consulting parties for review and
input, as part of the testing report. After consideration and appropriate incorporation of the input
from the consulting parties,, the report will be submitted to the NMSHPO as part of formal
Section 106 consultation.
Tribal Ethnographic Assessment
Based on input received from the involved tribes, the Forest Service determined that it was
necessary to complete ethnographic assessments in order to obtain the information needed to
adequately address impacts to cultural resources as a result of the proposed project. The Forest
Service oversaw tribal ethnographic assessments conducted within the physical and setting APEs.
These assessments were conducted by the tribes themselves, using professional ethnographers of
their choosing. Acoma Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, the Hopi Tribe, and the Zuni Tribe all
participated, and each conducted an internal ethnographic investigation for their tribe (the Navajo
Nation declined to participate). The objectives of the assessments were to identify cultural
resources of religious and cultural significance to the tribes, as well as cultural practices, and
provide information on these resources and practices and potential impacts thereto that would
assist the Forest Service in analyzing the potential impacts of the proposed project under NEPA
and assessing the potential effects under Section 106 of the NHPA.
To accomplish the work, each tribe was provided with funding by RHR to cover labor costs and
expenses incurred during the investigations. The Forest Service provided each tribe with the
results of archaeological surveys; other available environmental information; detailed information
about the proposed project including plans, drawings, and GIS information; and access to the
proposed project area. The investigations, led by experienced ethnographers employed by each
tribe, included research of existing literature, interviews with knowledgeable tribal members, and
project area visits with tribal members. Each tribe prepared a report detailing the results of their
investigation (table 67). Information from these investigations is incorporated into the analysis in
this draft EIS. The assessments by the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni have been finalized.
The draft assessment from the Hopi Tribe has been provided to the Forest Service, but a final
report has not been submitted. These reports will be submitted to the NMSHPO as part of formal
Section 106 consultation to support eligibility and effect determinations.
Table 67. Ethnographic assessments conducted by the four tribes
Title Reference
The Pueblo of Acoma Ethnographic Study and Traditional Cultural Properties
Consultation for the Proposed Roca Honda Uranium Mine at the Foot of
Kaweshtima in the San Mateo Valley, New Mexico
Anschuetz, 2012
DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest 309