2020-06-24_REVISION - C1981035 (2)

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 3.4.5.2 Environmental Effects Effects of Alternative A—Proposed Action Direct and Indirect Effects Construction of the Gulch low-cover crossing would take about six months and during construction, potential surface disturbing activities would occur on approximately 10 acres (with wetlands or other WOTUS comprising of less than 0.2 acre within the proposed crossing area). Site-specific clearances and permitting for impacting jurisdictional wetlands or other WOTUS,would be completed under the purview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to commencing any site-specific improvements in areas with jurisdictional wetlands or WOTUS present. Impacts to wetlands or WOTUS would likely be authorized under Nationwide Permit#14,Access Roads. Overall, impacts to wetlands and WOTUS by the Project as a result of ground disturbance associated with the construction of the Gulch low-cover crossing would be temporary (i.e., six months) and minor as the stream bed would be re-established as closely as possible to its original configuration post construction, and topsoil would be spread over the disturbed area up to the original soil depth and surface elevation. Disturbed vegetation also would be reclaimed in accordance with the Reclamation Plan General Requirements as described in the PAP. In addition to current wetland regulations, it has been determined that implementation of the Proposed Action would comply with the new wetlands rule currently under consideration. Cumulative Actions and Effects The CIAA for wetlands and WOTUS is the Project Area.Additional activities associated with mining under the Proposed Action would have the potential to cumulatively impact wetlands and WOTUS in the area. The impacts related to mining operations are minor as only infrequent small surface impacts occur associated with surface drilling and testing. Along with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, activities associated with mining and oil and gas development in the Project vicinity are likely to result in minor cumulative impacts to the region, due to the associated surface disturbance, reclamation of the area at the end of the life of the mine, and re-establishment of local riparian vegetative communities. Overall,cumulative impacts are expected to be minor as the ground disturbance associated with The Gulch low-cover crossing is 10 acres combined with an additional 10 acres cumulatively for all other dispersed surface disturbances of variable sizes that would occur over the life of the mine. Effects of Alternative B—No Action Alternative Direct and Indirect Effects Under the No Action Alternative, the LBA would not be offered for competitive lease sale by BLM, there would be no mining plan modification to be considered and approved by OSMRE and federal coal reserves in the LBA and new private reserves would not be recovered. Therefore, no impacts to wetlands and WOTUS would occur.GCCE would continue mining within the existing federal and state mine permit areas until those coal reserves are mined out. Cumulative Actions and Effects Cumulative actions and effects to wetlands and WOTUS under the No Action Alternative would be less than those under the Proposed Action but would still be anticipated to be negligible, long-term cumulative effect on wetlands and WOTUS. Dunn Ranch Area Coal Lease by Application COC-78825 and Mine Plan Modification EA 3-28