Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
of estimated dewatering of these three aquifers would not have a significant impact on
groundwater resources overall.
The involved tribes have expressed concern throughout the EIS process that the operation of the
mine and the dewatering associated with it would result in depletion of the aquifers, transfer of
water from one basin to another, and contamination of water. These changes are seen to result in
impacts to the water supply that the tribes depend on for religious and subsistence uses.
Wildlife and Vegetation
Plants and animals play an important role in the traditional cultural practices and beliefs of the
involved tribes. The health and well-being of these wild populations is not only important from a
subsistence point of view, but also from the viewpoint of supplying specific materials for rituals,
acting as messengers to Spiritual Beings, and acting as healers. Tribal people send wildlife
prayers and blessings and, in return, they provide for the spiritual welfare of the people.
The “Wildlife” section of this EIS presents analysis of the potential impacts to wildlife resulting
from the proposed project. Overall, long-term adverse impacts to wildlife are expected to occur as
a result of mortality, habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, and displacement during the
life of the mine. Once the mine is reclaimed, both wildlife numbers and species diversity are
expected to eventually return to pre-mine levels as habitats are restored. Impacts to vegetation,
which are addressed in the EIS in the “Vegetation” section, are not expected to be significant, as
reclamation is anticipated to restore the habitats disturbed for the mine.
The involved tribes foresee long-term impacts to the Mt. Taylor spiritual landscape as a result of
the impacts to wildlife and vegetation. The long-term impacts of an impacted ecosystem on the
traditional cultural practices of the tribes are a concern. The spiritual well-being of the mountain,
and the spiritual relationship between the people and the Spiritual Beings of the mountain, would
be impacted by the changes to the ecosystem, and it is unknown if those impacts can be repaired.
It could result in a permanent impact. Although it is expected by analysts that wildlife and
vegetation would be rehabilitated, there is concern by the involved tribes that the rehabilitation
may not completely repair the damage caused by the proposed mine.
Project-Specific Forest Plan Amendment
The land and resource management plan (USFS, 1985) guides decisions for how the Cibola
National Forest and its resources will be managed. The plan lists standards for the treatment of
historic properties on lands managed by the Cibola National Forest. These standards only apply to
lands and resources managed by the Cibola National Forest. With regard to the proposed project
and its potential for impacts on historic properties, it is important to note the following:
• Standard No. 4 states that historic properties “will be managed during the conduct of
undertakings to achieve a “no wffect” finding in consultation with the SHPO and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.” (USFS, 1985:63)
• Standard No. 5 addresses instances where resource management conflicts occur. It gives a
list of conditions under which “preservation of cultural resources in place will be the
preferred option.” These conditions include:
354 DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest