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EnvimnmenW Assessment Bowie Resources, L.L.C. August 2005 Spruce Stomp Federal Coal Exploration License (150- 2005 -43) to allow the seed sprouts to penetrate soil. Slopes that are 3:1 or less should be drill seeded while slopes greater than that should be broadcast seeded. 2.2 Alternatives NEPA requires development of a reasonable range of practicable alternatives to the Proposed Action in response to the following: • Purpose and need of the Proposed Action; • Concerns identified by the public during public scoping; and • Concerns identified by the Interdisciplinary Team. The Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative have been analyzed in Chapter 3. A brief description of the No Action Alternative is presented below, as well as well as alternatives that were considered but not analyzed in detail. No additional alternatives identified through scoping or the responsible agencies meet the Purpose and Need of the Proposed Action. 2.2.1 No Action Alternative Analysis of the No Action alternative is required by CEQ 40 CFR Part 1502.14(d). Under this alternative, implementation of the SSCEL exploration drilling plan would not be approved. Exploration holes would not be drilled in the SSCEL, and the associated roads would not be reconditioned or constructed. 2.2.2 Alternatives Considered but Not Analyzed in Detail Other alternatives as discussed below were considered for analysis in the EA, but were not be ' carried forward given the reasons provided. Airlifting ¢ f Exploration Equipment ' A comment received during public scoping suggested airlifting exploration equipment to the proposed drilling locations as an alternative to use and /or reconditioning of existing roads and construction of temporary roads for ground transportation of equipment. This alternative was considered but not analyzed for the following reasons: Helicopter portable equipment is necessarily small and light and is appropriate for some relatively shallow drilling applications. However, the limitations in torque, pull -back, and drill pipe diameter, render helicopter portable drills incapable of relatively deep (2,000 feet +) drilling in general and are not capable of reaching even lesser depths in difficult ground conditions. Manufacturers of helicopter portable drill rigs advertise their rigs to be capable of reaching 2,000 feet + depths with light drill rod. However, this claim is based on ideal conditions in crystalline granite rock, where squeezing clay or unstable rock is not present. Experience has shown that the tremendous increase in friction against the drill pipe that occurs when unstable, broken, or clay -rich "squeezing" formations, together with groundwater, are encountered. Strong drill pipe capable of flushing relatively large volumes of drill cuttings, and high torque and pull -back are required to prevent getting the drill pipe permanently "planted" (or stuck) in the hole. 2 -12