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Methane Drainage Wells Project Plan Technical Revision 102; MDW 19-06 Page 6 of 13 sites, and managed to minimize conflicts with the deer and elk on winter range and user conflict during big game hunting seasons. The report entitled, "Box Canyon West Methane Drainage Wells, Wildlife Habitat Evaluations and Inventory for T&E, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species" prepared by Michael Ward Outdoors and Monarch & Associates dated June 2005 was prepared pertaining to a nearby azea (within approximately one-half mile). This report summarizes, "No Federally-listed or State-listed Threatened and Endangered Species that could potentially occur within this portion of the Gunnison National Forest would be adversely impacted by construction of drill site locations and access roads because little or no suitable habitat would be affected. The only management indicator species observed were red-naped sapsuckers and elk. Sapsuckers were commonly observed in aspen stands and elk, or evidence of their presence, was always observed throughout the project azea." The report further concludes, "There aze no Endangered or Threatened plant species known to occur in the project area." LAND USE The present land use of the proposed methane drainage project area consists of domestic grazing, wildlife habitat, watershed, recreational lands, and big game hunting. No agricultural areas exist within the area. Coal mining has a long history in the North Fork Valley. Mountain Coal Company has operated the West Elk Mine as a viable mine since 1981 with an underground longwall in operation since 1992. Currently there are three mines in the North Fork Valley; the Elk Creek Mine operated by Oxbow Mining, Inc.; the Bowie No. 1 and No. 2 Mines operated by Bowie Resources Limited; and the West Elk Mine. Other mines that have existed in the valley include Bear Mine Nos. 1, 2, and 3; Oliver Mine Nos. I and 2; Hawks Nest Mine; the Somerset Mine; and the Edwazds Mine. CULTURAL RESOURCES Previous Class III cultural inventories were conducted in the methane project area. The results of the surveys were negative and were submitted to the USFS. Cultural inventories have been conducted on the adjoining Ravens Gulch Exploration Area (COC- 60622; expired). The list of studies includes six Class III surveys and two Class II surveys (Metcalf Archeological Consultants, Inc., 1987, 1989, 1993, 7/94, 8/94, 11/94, 1996, 1997) and (Archeological Environmental Reseazch Corp., 1990). The surveys were completed under the Federal Exploration License Numbers COC-51751, COC-5381, COC-53793, COC-58219, COC-60622, and those described in the 1996 revision of the West Elk Mine, CDMG Permit No.C-80-007. No cultural resources were identified in those investigations. Additional cultural resource reports titled, "Mountain Coal Company's West Elk Mine Gob Vent/De-gas Boreholes Class III Cultural Resource Inventory T13S, R90W, Sections 23, 26, 27, 34, and 35 Gunnison County, Colorado,