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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT <br /> Forest Management <br /> Forest resources in the Project Area include species such as pinon pine, ponderosa pine, juniper, and <br /> Gambel oak. Project Area forest resources are managed by the UMU Tribe. The UMU Tribe does not <br /> currently have a forest or Integrated Natural RMP for the reservation or for their private ranch lands. <br /> Recreation <br /> There are no public recreational activities available in the Project Area. Access to UMU Tribe privately <br /> owned lands is by Tribal permit only. The UMU Tribe privately owned lands are likely utilized by a small <br /> number of tribal members for seasonal hunting. <br /> Oil and Gas Development <br /> No oil and gas development occurs within the Project Area. Current oil and gas development is centered <br /> on drilling locations to the east and south of the Project Area in the San Juan Basin. The nearest current <br /> oil and gas wells are approximately 4 miles east of Hay Gulch. <br /> BLM and OSMRE are unaware of other conflicting land uses that would eliminate coal deposits from <br /> further consideration for subsurface leasing on surface lands within the Project Area. <br /> 3.4.7.2 Environmental Effects <br /> Effects of Alternative A—Proposed Action <br /> As there are no prime or unique farmlands nor oil and gas development within the Project Area, these <br /> land uses are not further analyzed below. <br /> Direct Effects <br /> Atotal of approximately 20 acres would be disturbed by the Project over the life of the mine.This includes <br /> 10 acres for construction of the low-cover crossing at the outset of the Project and 10 acres cumulatively <br /> for all other dispersed surface disturbances that would occur over the life of the mine.There would be no <br /> direct impacts to rangeland health or fencing on UMU ranch properties as a result of granting the coal <br /> mine lease. It is possible that subsidence could damage a UMU range fence. According to the Surface Use <br /> Agreement between the UMU and GCCE, this potential is mitigated by commitments within the <br /> agreement.There would be no surface impacts to BLM or federally administered public lands.There may <br /> be short-term minor impacts associated with temporary fence removal and replacement should <br /> temporary road improvements encroach on existing fence lines. <br /> indirect Effects <br /> No indirect impacts to rangeland health or to Standards for Public Land Health are expected as a result of <br /> issuing a new federal coal lease. No changes or long-term impacts are expected to grazing and farming as <br /> a result of granting the coal mine lease. <br /> By the terms of GCCE's Surface Use Agreement with the UMU Tribe, no trees may be cut without the <br /> express authorization of the UMU Tribe. Therefore, there would be no change or impacts to forest <br /> resource management in the Project Area as a result of issuing a new federal coal lease. <br /> In accordance with the Surface Use Agreement, GCCE is required to coordinate access to UMU Tribe <br /> privately owned lands with the Tribe in order to avoid and/or minimize potential impacts to Tribal <br /> Dunn Ranch Area Coal Lease by Application COC-78825 and Mine Plan Modification EA 3-34 <br />