HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.09 Impact AnalysisGrass Mesa Telecommunication Tower July, 2017
Garfield County Limited Impact Review
Impact Analysis
Photo 1 – Looking north from proposed tower location (survey stake).
Grass Mesa Tower Impact Analysis
1. Adjacent Land Use. To the north of the tower location, which would be located within 100 feet of the
parcel’s northern property line, is a private access road approximately 20 feet in width, including the bar
ditches on either side. The parcel to the north of the private road is federally-owned lands managed by
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), on which lands are: access driveway to a communication facility
building and cellular service providers’ equipment, and three electrical power lines (one 345 kV electrical
transmission line, one distribution line, and one service line). See Photo 1 and Photo 2 below.
Photo 2 – Looking at electrical power lines and their support systems (view looking west).
Grass Mesa Tower
Impact Analysis
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Photo 3 – Looking east from proposed tower location at existing 50-ft tower on subject property.
East of the tower location and off the subject property, at an elevation approximately 370 feet lower
than that of the tower location and therefore out of direct line of sight, is an oil and gas well pad operation
located on federally-owned lands managed by BLM. Photo 3 below depicts the subject property east of
tower location.
South of the subject property is also BLM-managed lands existing in a relatively undisturbed condition
with varying steepness in terrain. The access routes of Grass Mesa Road and Quick Silver Road traverse
through this landscape. Photo 4 below depicts the proposed tower location on the subject property.
Photo 4 – Looking south at proposed tower location on subject property.
Grass Mesa Tower
Impact Analysis
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West and southwest of the subject property are privately owned parcels with agricultural and/or
residential uses. The two residences closest to the subject property would be located approximately
1,300 feet and 1,800 feet southwest of the proposed tower location. Please refer to Photo 2 and Photo
4 above.
2. Site Features. As noted in the Project Narrative, the proposed tower would be located within a flat, non-
irrigated pasture on the subject property. Please refer to the Biological Assessment report for additional
details, including maps and photo-documentation of the site.
3. Soil Characteristics. Please refer to the Biological Assessment and Geotechnical reports for information
pertaining to soils within the project area.
4. Geology and Hazard. Located on the relatively flat bench of Grass Mesa, there are no known potential
natural or manmade hazards that would affect the proposed tower.
5. Groundwater and Aquifer Recharge Areas. As noted previously, the project site is located on the flat
bench of Grass Mesa at an elevation of 6,176 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The closest floodplain is
associated with the Colorado River which is over a mile away to the north and approximately 1,000 feet
lower in elevation. There are no wetlands or streams on the subject property, as noted in the Biological
Assessment report.
6. Environmental Impacts. Please refer to the Biological Assessment report.
7. Nuisance. During active construction of the tower, temporary noise and dust nuisances could potentially
result during the first week of site preparation, with some potential noise generated during the last week
of tower installation. Once constructed, the tower facilities would not produce any noise, dust, vapor,
smoke, glare, or vibration impacts to adjacent landowners.
8. Hours of Operation.
Construction – hours of operation would typically occur between 7am and 6pm, Monday through
Friday.
Operation – facility would be in operation 24/7, however, maintenance and repair activities would
typically occur between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, except in cases of an emergency.