Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
historic sense of place, which is a significant historic feature of this property. Further disruption
of this setting would affect the Mt. Taylor TCP, the context and integrity of the property, and a
person’s appreciation and understanding of the historical context and significance of the property.
Some of these effects would be temporary and others long term, and would range from minor to
severe in magnitude.
Operation
During the operational phase of the proposed project, indirect physical disturbance of historic
properties could occur from changed erosion patterns, inadvertent damage caused during mine
activities, and vandalism or illegal artifact collecting. In addition, there would continue to be the
potential for physical damage to buried archaeological resources that have not yet been identified
or recorded, but could be discovered during maintenance or operational activities. The effects
from erosion, inadvertent damage, vandalism, and illegal artifact collecting, and damage to newly
discovered properties, would be permanent and could range from negligible to severe.
Operational activities at the mine would continue to introduce visual and audible elements out of
character with the Mt. Taylor TCP, further affecting the setting of this historic property. These
effects would derive from general onsite activity, use of large machinery and equipment, onsite
traffic, and heavy haul traffic along Highway 605. Some of these effects would be temporary and
others long term, lasting the duration of the operational phase, and would range from minor to
moderate in magnitude.
Reclamation
Reclamation activities have the same potential for physical damage to historic properties as
operational activities. Changed erosion patterns, inadvertent damage caused during reclamation
activities, and vandalism or illegal artifact collecting, as well as the potential for physical damage
to buried archaeological resources that have not yet been identified or recorded, could all occur
during the reclamation phase of the proposed project. These effects would be permanent and
could range from negligible to severe.
Reclamation activities at the mine would continue to introduce visual and audible elements out of
character with the Mt. Taylor TCP, further affecting the setting of this historic property. These
effects would derive from general onsite activity, use of large machinery and equipment, and
onsite traffic. Some of these effects would be temporary and others long term, lasting the duration
of the reclamation phase, and would range from minor to moderate in magnitude.
Reclamation goals are to return the area to grazing use. As part of reclamation operations,
disturbed areas would be stabilized by grading them to conform to the geomorphic character of
the region and surrounding area, including shaping, berming, and grading to final contour.
Reclamation of slopes would incorporate the practice of minimizing slope lengths and gradients,
while conforming to the geomorphic character of the area to minimize the potential for excessive
erosion. The reclaimed area would be revegetated using native, adapted species that are
characteristic of the region and supportive of livestock grazing. With these guidelines in mind,
once reclamation has been completed and accepted, the mine project area would be similar in
look to the surrounding area. While the setting of the Mt. Taylor TCP would not be the same as it
is currently, the reclaimed area would be similar to the surrounding landscape. Any changes to the
setting would be permanent, and would be moderate in magnitude.
DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest 351