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<br />-2- <br />this time since mining of the E-Seam is being considered as a minor <br />modification to [he mining and reclamation plan for USSC 's Somerset Mine (with <br />SEC as operator per a letter of agreement between SF,C and USSC of. December 10, <br />1980) and also because [he balance of comments could he add r.essed in SEC's <br />mining and reclamation plan which must he submitted to [he State of. Colorado <br />(and OSM) under the approved State Program by Pebru ary 17, 19R 1. The relevant <br />issues at this time deal with the surface impacts associated with underground <br />mining of the E-Seam in Section 35 and coal recovery. This is believed Co be <br />app r.o pri ate since no additional surface disturbance will occur (except for <br />implementation of a subsidence monitoring program and mitigation of any <br />identified archeological sites overlying, [he E-Siam i.n Section 35) and no <br />increase in production will take place. <br />The proposed modification to [he USSC plan for the Somerset Mine has been <br />reviewed pursuant to OSM's Permanent Regulatory Program. As noted above, the <br />technical analysis (TA) of the modification has focused on the potential <br />surface impacts associated with underground mining, of. the E-Seam in Section 35 <br />and thus Che analysis in the balance of this TA deals with subsidence, <br />hydrology, cultural resources and coal recovery. An analysis of SEC's bonding <br />estimate and a Statement of Findings are also included. <br />Based nn the anal,~~ses contained herein, SEC's plan (as the analyses are <br />limited above) complies with the requirement of OShf's Permanent Regulatory <br />Program subject to the stipulations noted in the Special Stipulations section <br />of this recommendation package. The II. S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of <br />Land Management, Che U.S. forest Service, and the Colorado Miners Land <br />Reclamation Division have concurred with the approval (with stipulations) of <br />this modification. <br />With respect to public notice of the proposed minor mortifcati.on, a public <br />notice (sec public notice section of this package) was published in the North <br />Fork Times on January 1 and 8, 1981. The notice described Che proposed <br />modification to the plan, stated Chat the plan was av ailah le for public <br />review, and solicited public comments on any environmental issues related to <br />an ac [ion by OSM with respect to the proposal. The notice stated [h a[ no <br />action on the plan would he taken liy the Regional Director for a period of 15 <br />days after first publication of [he notice (i .e., J miuary 16, 19.41). As of <br />pre para[ion of this Technical Analysis (.Tanuary 22, 1981), no comments have <br />hecn received. <br />A notice of decision and availability of an Environmental Assessment wi 11 soon <br />he published in the North Fork Times (see public notice section of this <br />recommendation package). This notice indicates that a decision [o approve the <br />s ub je c[ modification has been made and that an Environmental 9ssessmen[ with <br />respect to this action has been prepared. The public is invited [o comment on <br />both the decision and the Environmental Assessment. <br />' <br />