PERMFILE70852

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 7/15/2002
• Doc Name: Decision Notice & FONSI
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 80 Drilling Activities - TR96
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

VI. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Based on my review of the EA and supporting project record, I have determined that my decision does not constitute
a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, as defined in the Code of
Federal Regulations Title 40 Part 1508, section 27 (40 CFR 1508.27) th either context or intensity.
Significance of Context
Locali .This decision would temporarily directly affect about 86 acres of land on the Paonia Ranger District.
Short-term impacts are mitigated by application of the Conditions of Approval in Appendix A of this document.
Required reclamation of drill pads and decommissioning of temporary roads would alleviate long-term impacts to
the land. The effects on public land and users over both the short-term and long-term would remain consistent with
that which is presently occurring and has occurred in the past decade. This decision would provide the opportunity
for continued coal production at the West Elk Mine, which employed 323 people th 2001. No short or long term
significant impacts are expected as a result of this decision in the local context (EA, Chapter 3).
Affected Interests and Affected Region. Affected interests for this project are the owners and employees of the
West Elk Mine, owners and employees of adjacent coal mines, livestock permit holders in the project area, people
who use the project azea for recreation, people living in the Town of Paonia and along the Minnesota Creek road,
and residents in Delta and Guanison Counties. This decision allows continued use of the project azea for coal
production, and allows continued limited motorized recreation use as well as continued use by livestock permit
holders. Mitigation measures are prescribed in this decision to reduce effects on other forest uses. This decision
reduces traffic related impacts on residents in the Town of Paonia and along Minnesota Creek Road. This decision
supports continuation of the local financial connibutions that the West Elk Mine makes to Delta and Gunnison
Counties economic health. No short or long term significant impacts on affected interests aze expected as a result of
this decision in the regional context (EA, Chapter 3, and Appendix C4 of this Decision Notice).
Society as a Whole. This decision provides the opportunity for MCC to develop 6 to 7 million tons of coal each
year for five years. This represents less than 1% of the coal produced in the United States annually (0.6%). The
United States produces 22% of the coal that is produced worldwide. Production of 6 to 7 million tons of coal per
year is no[ significant to society as a whole. The expected methane release from the MDWs is estimated to be
between 1.5 and 3.5 billion cubic feet (bcf) per year. With venting from the mine's train ventilation system and in-
mine horizontal drainage system in addition to operation of the MDWs from this decision, and assuming between 6
and 14 MDWs would be in use, the mine would emit a total amount of between 4.9 and 6.9 bcf of methane per year.
Thus, the West Elk Mine's percent of United Stales coal mine methane emissions would be about 3 percent,
depending on fluctuations in the amount of methane emitted from coal mines nationally over the life of this project.
The West Elk Mine's contribution to total U.S. emissions of methane (from coal mine and all other all sources)
would be about 0.3 percent, while it's contribution to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions is 0.03%. Venting this amount
of methane annually from 2002 [0 2007 would not significantly contribute to global clunate change, therefore would
not significantly affect society as a whole.
Significance of Intensity
1. Consideration Of Beneficial And Adverse Impacts. Beneficial and adverse impacts were described in the EA
(Chapter 3) and considered in Section III of this Decision Notice. Impacts of this decision will be similaz to [hose of
previous decisions regarding methane drainage and coal exploration drilling within this project area and in adjacent
National Forest system lands. Although both beneficial and adverse effects are disclosed, none are severe enough to
be considered significant. Adverse impacts on the West Elk Inventoried Roadless Area and on global climate
change are discussed in detail in the following section of this Decision Notice. None of the expected beneficial or
adverse impacts have a significant amount of intensity that would require documentation in an EIS.
2. Consideration of Public Health And Safety. Public health and safety issues pertaining to public safety on roads
to be shared with drill traffic (EA, Section 3.5) and safety of underground miners (EA, Section 1.2) were considered
in the EA. My decision does not permit public access on drill roads during the active drilling season, but does
permit public ATV access on certain drill roads during the big game rifle season. My decision reduces mine traffic
on public roads through the Town of Paonia and on the Minnesota Creek Road. My decision allows methane to be
vented from the underground mine, which reduces potential for explosion. Although my decision benefits public
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