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CHAPTER n TABLE 2 ACRES A V AILABLE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION FOR COAL LEASING (excluding overlaps)* Screens Results Coal Development Potential Unsuitabilty Review Acreage Remaining Surface Owner CODSultation Acreage Remaining Multiple Use Tradeoff, Recreation Acreage Remaining 638,758 (-104,261) 534,497 (,68,808) 465,689 (,8,600) 457,089 Total Acres Available Surface/Underground Methods 457,089 Total Acres Available Underground Methods Only (No Surface Disturbance) 181,669 Total Coal Tonnage Available 5.5 billion . In some portions ofthe coal planning area, more than one screen was found to apply, e.g., plmions of the Little Vampa Canyon SRMA were eliminated as the result of both unsuilability criteria and multiple use tradeoffs. Acreage for such areas was only subtracted once from the total coal planning area acreage. Planned Actions I. The resource area is available for oil and gas leasing. Areas have been designated for leasing witb standard stipulations. seasonal restrictions, avoidance stipula- tions, performance objectives, or no-surface-<JCCupancy stipulations; areas where no new leasing is allowed have also been identified (see Table 3). Stipulations or restrictions may be waived or reduced if resource conditions change and the protection is no longer necessary or if the lessee can demonstrate that operations can be conducted without causing unac- ceptable impacts. The appropriateness of waivng specific stipulations will be funher analyzed in the oil and gas RMP amendment discussed in lIem 2 below. When considering leasing and development of federal minerals where the surface is privately owned, effons will be made to identify environmental concerns and work with the private surface owners regarding potential impacts to their surface. Private surface owners are encouraged to become involved in the activity planning process. Whenever possible, BLM's actions will be consistent with the wishes of the surface owner; however, impacts to federal lands or resources, threatened or endangered species, or other resource values plOtected by nondiscretionary statute will he mitigated to an acceptable level. 2. An oil and gas RMP amendment (referred to as an activity plan in the Final Little Snake RMP /EIS) will be developed to further refine the degree to which oil and gas development will be allowed. This RMP amendment will assess direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts resulting from a reasonable, foreseeable level of oil and gas development. The plan amendment will identify mitigation to reduce or eliminate unacceptable adverse environmental impacts. Unril the plan amendment is approved, Ihe existing Little Snake Oil and Gas Umbrella Environmental Assessment as modified by the Little Snake RMP oil and gas leasing decisions will be the National Environmental Policy Act compliance document for oil and gas leasing in the resource area. Resource Condition and Rationale This action maximizes the lands available for oil and gas development and ensures orderly, environmentally sound exploration and development. Implementation Priorities The oil and gas RMP amendment was initiated in March 1989 and is scheduled for completion in 1990. Monitoring Oil and gas exploration and development will be monitored according to Wasbington, Colorado State, and Craig District inspection and enforcement strategies. Support Other resource specialists will be needed in the development of the oil and gas plan amendment and will review applications for permit to drill. Cadastral survey may be needed to locate public land boundaries. 8