Air pollution
Biological resources, including effects on vegetation communities and special-status wildlife through habitat loss, noise, entrapment, and obstruction of wildlife movement (particularly mule deer migration)
Displacement of 89,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year
Cultural resource sites
Geologic resources (concerns over land subsidence, as well as seismic and volcanic hazards)
Reduction of grazing habitat
Construction-related and long-term noise levels
Accidental release of hazardous materials
Recreational activities
Positive impact on businesses in Mono County; economic benefits
Visual landscape
Surface water resources
The EIA did not list groundwater resources as being a major impact, but they received many letters expressing concern that there was not enough information on potential effects on groundwater. (See Sources of Controversy section.)