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Total coal reserves including those on private and public land in both the Cameo and Anchor seams are estimated at 320 million tons, recoverable reserves are estimated at 150 million tons at a recovery rate of approximately 45 percent. The coal has a low sulfur (generally less than 1.0 percent) and ash content (less than 10 percent) and an average Btu per pound rating of 11,000 to 11,500. The Anchor seam has a higher sulfur content than the Cameo seam _ and would have to be mixed with coal from the Cameo seam. This mixing of Anchor and Cameo seam coals will ensure that the sulfur content meets currently applicable federal and state air emission standards for sulfur dioxide. The mixing, or blending, ratio would vary but should average out to be 1 part Anchor to 3 parts Cameo. NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE The no action alternative considers that no federal leases would be granted. This would essentially terminate current mining operations; however, the company could continue to remove a small amount of coal from its private land (400 acres). No environmental impacts would affect public lands or resources if this alternative is selected, The company however would lose development costs already expended (estimated by Dorchester to be 5 million dollars), and 36 jobs currently held by Mesa County residents would be terminated. If, in the final analysis of the proposed lease areas, it is determined that: 1) commercial quantities of coal are not present or 2) public interest would not be served owing to adverse environmental impacts, the no action alternative would be chosen. In this event, the company may consider options for exchange whereby public interest would be better met. (See Congressional directives for coal lease exchanges, fed. Reg. Vol. 44, No. 140, July 19, 1979.) If no leases are issued transportation impacts would be limited to the areas disturbed by necessary realignment of 18 Road to facilitate mining the remainder of the private coal. PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE--COMPANY PROPOSAL The preferred alternative includes the three proposed lease areas and describes the proposed procedures for mining during construction, operation, and abandonment stages. Transportation routes and methods are also discussed under the preferred alternative. PROJECTED SCOPE OF DEVELOPMENT If the proposed leases are issued, coal would be mined using underground mining techniques. Annual coal production would be at the rate of approximately 4 million tons at full production per year for an estimated mine life of 40 years. It is anticipated that mine production would reach maximum recovery levels during year 8 and would continue at this level for mine life. The anticipated production schedule is given in table 2. 2-9