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`-~ ~, III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Decision Rsoord/Rationale 99s Cosl Lesee Application C-53510 Envirorunental Analysis U»92-13 • Deciaion: The recomma»dation Sa to offer for competitive lease 1339.56 acres identified in the Sanborn Eaet Coal Trsct ae e-result of the Somerset Coal Company coal lease application (COC-53510) aubjact to the mitigating meesuree listed below. Aelationshin of the Deciaion to the Environmental Analvaie (EA1: Two alternatives were discussed in the EA. Alternative 1 considered leasing the coal ae proposed by Somerset Mining Company and Alternative 2 was to not lease the coal. The decision la to implement Alternative 1 by offering the application area fot competitive lease. Rationale for Deciaion: Tha decision to allow the proposed ectlon dose not result in any undue or unnecessary environmentsl degradation and is consistent with the objectives of the Vncompahgra Basin RMP, approved in July, 1989. The mitigating measures wlll help ensure that envlrenmentel impacts addressed in the EA will be kept within acceptable limits. Ot er Factors Considered in the Decision: A. The Uinta Southwest Utah Coal Region is currently operating in a lease by application mode by decision of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. This coal lease application was processed using the procedures approved by Regional Coel Team for the Uinta Southwest Utah Coal Region. B. In accordance with established policies of the Department of the Snterior, the adequacy of the available data was reviewed prior to initiating the EA for the lease application and found to be complete. C. The four people who testified st the public hearing in Paonia supported leasing the tract. An additional three written comments were received from the State of Colorado. Tha Colorado Division of Parka and Outdoor Recreation stated that a Colorado Plsnt Speciae of Special Concern, the brand Mesa Seardtongue, had boon identified nenr the tract. The EA was revised to include protection of the epecise. The Colorado Department of Tranaportetlon requested that additional widths along State Highway 133 be protected from surface facilities and that they be notified of any surface facilities that may affect the Highway such as additional entryways onto the highway. Coal mining will not interfere with future highway expansion provided the appropriate Rights of way are obtained from BLH. It 1e standard operating procedure for pereone affecting the highway to obtain the appropriate permits. The third comment from the Colorado Office of the State Engineer, Division of water Resources (DwR), expreaead concern about potential depletions to the surface stream system resulting from eubaidance. DWR wants the opportunity to review the mine plan which will be provided by the Colorado Mined Lend Reclamation Division ae required by etnndard operating procedures. D. BLM is in the process of formally consulting with U.S. Fish and wildlife Service (uSFWS) concerning water depletions to the Colorado River System. Consultation procedures will be completed before s lease sale ie held. The following lease stipulstion ie being reviewed by USFWS: As part of the Nine and Reclamation Permit Application Package, the lessee ^hall furnish to the Regulatory Officer et the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation & Enforcemen , an eetimete of the average annual water depletion resultinp from the propose action. This will require the water project proponant~s one-time contribution to the Recovery Program in the amount of $11.50 par acre-foot of the project~e average annual depletion, unless the one-time contribution hoe already been • made. Arrangement for receiving the remitted funds from the lessee will be coordinated directly with the lessee by the permitting entity. Thaae funds must be provided to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Bender Building, 1120 Connecticut Avenue Nw, Washington DC 20036), prior to the