An environmental assessment of impacts of coal development on the water resources of the Yampa River basin, Colorado and Wyoming; Phase I work plan

Abstract

Coal resources of the western United States are being developed at ever-increasing rates, causing concerns of the effects of mining and associated activities on the environment. The Yampa River Basin Assessment is a 2 /sup 1///sub 2/-year program of the U.S. Geological Survey designed primarily to assess the availability and quality of the basin's water resources. The basin assessment also will evaluate potential environmental and selected socioeconomic impacts of energy-resource development plans proposed by mining and power companies. This report serves as a work plan for the basin assessment, describes the program objectives, and the various approaches of analysis and evaluation. Environmental studies are outlined for analyzing both the direct effects of various proposals regarding coal mining, transportation, and conversion, and the secondary effects resulting from increased population and urban growth. Economic development in the Yampa River basin will generate higher levels of residuals to be discharged into the environment. Residuals-management encompasses the technological and economic interrelationships that should be considered to comply with Federal and State environmental-control regulations regarding air quality, water quality, and disposal of solid wastes. The basin assessment is designed to provide Federal, State, and local decision-makers with the basic environmental information needed to formulate andmore » to evaluate policies for the development of energy resources.« less