2020-06-25_REVISION - C1981035 (35)

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Environmental Assessment 2. PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES(S) 2.1 Proposed Action GCC has filed an application for a modification to existing Federal Coal Lease COO-62920 to incorporate four additional tracts adjacent to currently leased areas of the King II Mine. The proposed lease modification would add approximately 950.55 acres to the existing coal lease,which covers an area of 1,311.69 acres. All of the surface lands above the proposed lease Parcel's A, B, and D are private properties owned by the UMU Tribe. Parcel E surface land is also private property not owned by the UMU Tribe. The proposed lease modification areas are shown on Map A-2 in Appendix A. The above existing and proposed lease modification lie contiguous to a State of Colorado fee lease obtained by GCC to the south of the BLM lease. The current BLM and fee leases and OSMRE permit area are accessed from the King II Mine's portals and underground workings constructed on the State of Colorado lease in T35 N, R12W New Mexico Principal Meridian (NMPM),North of Ute Line, Section 36. All surface facilities and disturbance for the King II Mine extension are located on the State land, and have been permitted under CDRMS permit number 4C-1981-035. OSMRE is the regulatory authority that administers Federal Permit CO-0106A,which covers the permitted underground mining area beneath land owned by the UMU Tribe and surface effects associated with the King II Mine. The cumulative total acres approved for disturbance at the King I Mine for 2016 was 23.60 acres. The cumulative total acres approved for disturbance at the King II Mine for 2016 was 24.99 acres; 22.89 acres of surface disturbance have been approved and constructed under the CDRMS permit and bond to date. Additionally, 3.29 acres of surface disturbance has been approved by OSMRE for exploration drilling. The disturbance has been reclaimed, and OSMRE currently holds a$32,555 reclamation bond. Disturbed areas include surface facilities for King I and 11,three sediment ponds,roads, a refuse pile (gob), and exploration drill pads. As part of the Proposed Action, OSMRE is considering GCC's 2012 and 2017 permit renewals that are under an administrative delay pending analysis in the subject EA. The complete permit renewal application is publicly available from OSMRE. In addition to the renewal, GCC has submitted a PAP revision for Federal Permit CO-0106A to include mining the proposed additional lease acreage being considered by the BLM. The proposed PAP revision also includes a Reclamation Plan; a Subsidence Control Plan; and an updated Right-of-Entry onto the UMU lands (consisting of a Surface Use Agreement between the UMU Tribe and GCC). The currently approved PAP and proposed revision are publicly available from OSMRE. 2.1.1 Legal Description of Lease Modification The legal description for the COC-62920 modification tracts is as follows: New Mexico Principle Meridian La Plata County Colorado Tract A containing 220.00 acres more or less T35N, RI IW, Sec. 19,NE, S2SENW, and Sec. 20,NWNW DOI-BLM-CO-S010-2011-0074-EA September 2017 -35-