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ii ~-i ii i ii i ii iii iii 999 APPENDIX I • Unsuitability Analveis and Report Somerset Mining Comoanv C-53510 DESCRIPTION OF THE FEDERAL LANDS INVOLVED This unsuitability analysis and report has been prepared for a 1350 acre tract of federal coal lands described ae: T.135., R.90W., 6th Principal Meridian, Section 1: Lots 14 to 19, inclusive; Section 2: Lots 13 to 20, inclusive; Section 3: Lots 13, 14, 17 and 18; Section 10: Lots 1, 2, and NE~SE1~; Section 11: Lots 1 to 8, inclusive; Section 12: Lots 2 to 4, inclusive, SW~NW} and those portions of SEl~NW~ and SW~NE~ lying north of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. This tract was identified as a result of a coal lease application submitted by Somerset Mining Company, December 19, 1991. The tract lies approximately three miles east of the town of Somerset in Gunnison County, Colorado. It consists of 1349.96 acres of federally-owned mineral estate overlain by public lands managed by the Bureau of Land_Management (BLM). The tract also lies adjacent to an existing producing fee coal mine. The coal lease application was filed in order to avoid the bypass of Federal coal. As a first step in this analysis, the preliminary mining plan submitted by the applicant was examined in order to identify areas in which the proposed underground • mining operation would produce surface effects. All of the areas on which surface facilities associated with the proposed operation were to be located and all the areas identified ae likely to be affected by subsidence were delineated as having surface effects. The unsuitability criteria were then applied individually to the areas identified ae having surface effects. Each criterion was applied individually and maps were developed showing the applicability of the criterion. Then after all criteria had been applied, the exceptions of each criterion found to be applicable were then examined to determine if the exceptions were also applicable. Finally, after the process had been completed, a summary, stating the conclusions of the report was written. In compiling this analysis and report, the unsuitability criteria published in 43 CFR 3461 were used. The unsuitability criteria were applied individually to the area being considered. Exceptions to certain criteria allow areas to be considered further even though they have been determined to be unsuitable. These exceptions to the criteria are noted where applied. ANALYSIS OF THE UNSUITABILITY CRITERIA Exemptions to the criteria are not described ae no exemptions were determined to apply. Exceptions to the criteria are described only if they apply. Criterion 1 All Federal lands included in the following land systems or categories shall be considered unsuitable: National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National System of Trails, National Wilderness Preservation System, National Wild • and Scenic Rivera System, National Recreation Areas, lands acquired with money ierived from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, National Foreete, and federal lands in incorporated cities, towns, and villages.