2018-05-30_PERMIT FILE - X201823602

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"2.20.1 The planning area supports the exploration, production and development of energy and mineral resources in a multiple use context, as is consistent with all applicable laws. " C. Identify the applicable National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and other related documents that cover the proposed action. June 2016 GCC Energy Proposed Exploration License Application COC -76563 Environmental Assessment: DOI-BLM-CO-SO10-14-0025. Fish and Wildlife Clearance Report Signed 06/09/2014 FONSUDecision Record — Signed 07/11/2016 D. NEPA Adequacy Criteria 1. Is the new proposed action a feature of, or essentially similar to, an alternative analyzed in the existing NEPA document(s)? Is the project within the same analysis area, or if the project location is different, are the geographic and resource conditions sufficiently similar to those analyzed in the existing NEPA document(s)? If there are differences, can you explain why they are not substantial? The proposed amendment is essentially similar to the original proposal that was analyzed and found to have no significant impacts. All proposed activity within the proposed amendment lies within the boundaries of the original exploration license and consists of drilling similar core holes with similar equipment. The same design features and conditions of approval would apply. The proposed project would add 11 drill holes to the 24 initially drilled, and would be completed within the 2 year tern of the original exploration license. One proposed hole (GCC -18-12) is not approved under this document, pending cultural resource surveys. 2. Is the range of alternatives analyzed in the existing NEPA document(s) appropriate with respect to the new proposed action (or existing proposed action), given current environmental concerns, interests, and resource values? Only a proposed action and a no -action alternative were considered, however if any individual drill holes are found to be located in a place that has resource concerns, they could be dropped from the decision, change their timing, or move locations to avoid the conflict. The size and shape of the original exploration license indicated interest in potential coal leasing in the area in 2016, which was confirmed by the receipt of a leasing application for the same lands. Data gathered by this drilling would in -fill and supplement data gathered in the original approval, for the same purposes of estimating reserves and designing mine plans. This action is essentially the same as the selected alternative in the original decision record, except for the location and number of drill holes. Appropriate resource surveys were completed to supplement site specific data, and no new current environmental concerns were identified. The same site- specific wildlife surveys completed for the original holes have been completed, or will be completed (e.g. nesting bird surveys), prior to drilling. One drill hole location, GCC -18-12 did CCCAlinor Exploration Plan Amendment DOI-BLM-CO4010-2018-0014 DNA COC -76563 Tres Rios Field Office