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(Metcalf Archeological Consultants, Inc., 1987, 1989, 1993, 7/94, 8/94, 11/94, 1996,
<br />1997) and (Archeological Environmental Research Corp., 1990). The surveys were
<br />completed under the Federal Exploration License Numbers COC-51751, COC-5381,
<br />COCO-53793, COC-58219, COC-60622, and those described in the 1996 revision of the
<br />West Elk Mine, CDMG Permit No.C-80-007. No cultural resources were identified in
<br />those investigations. Additional cultural resource reports titled, "Mountain Coal
<br />Companys West Elk Mine Gob Vent/De-gas Boreholes Class III Cultural Resource
<br />Inventory T13S, R90W, Sections 23, 26, 27, 34, and 35 Gunnison County, Colorado,
<br />June 2001", and "Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine, Block Cultural Resource
<br />Inventory (140 acres) for Five Drill Pad Locations and Access, T13S, R90W, Gunnison
<br />County, Colorado, August 2001", also showed negative results. Other previous cultural
<br />resource surveys for the adjacent drilling aze titled "Mountain Coal Company, West Elk
<br />Mine, Drill Pads for Panels 16, 17, 175, Class III Cultural Resource Inventory, Gunnison
<br />County, Colorado" and "Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine, Drill Pads for Panels
<br />18 to 24, Class III Cultural Resource Inventory, Gunnison County, Colorado". No
<br />cultural resources were identified in these investigations.
<br />To facilitate the agency review of this plan, a Cultural Resources Survey of the proposed
<br />disturbed area will be accomplished in accordance with USFS guidelines during May and
<br />June 2005. Results of the survey will be forwazded to reviewing agencies as appropriate.
<br />PROPOSED ACCESS ROUTES
<br />The access route for the methane drainage project area may potentially utilize Gunnison
<br />County Road 710 to USFS 711 and then Horse Gulch Road USFS 711.2B.
<br />Alternatively, access to the project area could be via Sylvester Gulch. Access to the azea
<br />is proposed in Sylvester Gulch where a remnant drill road exists in or near the bottom of
<br />the gulch. This road will need to be improved for approximately 4,200 feet where it
<br />would intercept the West Flat Iron access road. The road would be improved to support
<br />drilling operations and would be maintained at a 14' width. If this access is authorized
<br />then the heavy-truck traffic on the Minnesota Creek, County Road 710 and USFS 711
<br />roads will be virtually eliminated.
<br />Refer to the attached Proposed E Seam South Mains MDWs surface maps for depiction
<br />of the proposed access routes. Special Use and Road Use permits will be modified if
<br />requested by the U.S. Forest Service.
<br />PRE-DRILLING ACTIVITIES
<br />Prior to any construction or drilling activities, an on-site inspection of proposed drill sites
<br />and access routes will be conducted with representatives from appropriate regulatory
<br />agencies to discuss site-specific concerns. Applicable Road Use and Special Use permits
<br />will be modified if required by the U.S. Forest Service for use of the roads. CDMG,
<br />USFS, and BLM regulatory personnel will be notified at least 48 hours before any
<br />construction or drilling equipment is mobilized into the project areas. Construction and
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