Implementing management actions under the alternatives may result in direct impacts that open, limit or deny access to and disposal of mineral materials from public lands in the Planning Area. Adverse impacts to mineral materials disposal can result from management actions that restrict or limit disposals of mineral materials, or that place specific stipulations or mitigation requirements on development activity. Beneficial impacts to mineral materials disposal can result from management that encourages such disposal or opens areas to disposal.

Indirect impacts result from actions that place or remove restrictions or place additional requirements on exploration and development activities for mineral materials. For example, a VRM restriction to protect the integrity of a historic trail that could either prevent or constrain exploration or development of mineral materials, or one that requires the development activity be performed so that it is not readily apparent.

Short‐term impacts may include such seasonal restrictions to accessing mineral material resources to protect greater sage-grouse, or delays caused by requiring completion of resource surveys (such as cultural resources) before commencing mining operations. Long‐term impacts may include transferring federal mineral estate, including the mineral materials therein, to private ownership, thereby potentially removing the resource from public access.