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health and safety, the amount of intensity is not extraordinary and does not require documentation in an EIS <br />3. Consideration of Unique Chazacteristics Such As Proximity To Historic Or Cultural Resources, Park Lands, <br />Prime Farmlands, Wetlands, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Or Ecolo,¢ically Critical Areas. Historic and cultural resources <br />are addressed in the following Item 8. There are no prime farmlands, rangeland, or forest land as defined in the <br />Secretary of Agriculture's Memorandum Number 1827, Supplement 1, identified on the Gunnison National Forest. <br />Wetlands would not be affected, as no delineated wetlands have been identified in the project area. If wetlands were <br />unexpectedly encountered during layout of approved facilities, facilities would be designed to avoid them. Condition <br />of Approval #25 in Appendix A of this Decision Notice requires that facilities planned in Water Influence Zones <br />must be staked by a qualified soil scientist, hydrologist, geologist, or biologist. This mitigation will ensure that any <br />unknown wetlands will be identified and will not be inadvertently damaged. There are no identified parklands or <br />Wild and Scenic rivers in proximity to the project. The area of my decision has no[ been identified by any source as <br />an ecologically critical area (Project File -Biological Assessment and Biologic Evaluation). <br />4. Consideration Of The Degree To Which The Effects On The Quality Of The Human Environment Are Likely To <br />Be Highly Controversial. This decision and its effects are not unique. Coal-related drilling decisions have been <br />made on this National Forest for the past 30 years (EA, Chapter 2.5). Surface related impacts aze expected to be <br />similaz to pas[ impacts from similar projects in this project azea and elsewhere in the project vicinity. The quality <br />and use of the human environment in the project area is understood, have been analyzed, and are not highly <br />controversial. Monitoring of previously approved methane drainage wells has shown that revegetation and <br />rehabilitation of impacted areas can successfully occur. The effects of methane as a greenhouse gas are not <br />controversial. The amount of methane to be vented from this project is clearly understood, and its potential <br />contribution to US greenhouse gas emission has been considered. Information or data [hat would demonstrate the <br />effects described in the EA are highly conttoversial have not been brought forward. The intensity of this factor does <br />not require documentation in an EIS. <br />5. Consideration Of The Decree To Which The Possible Effects On The Human Environment Ate Highly Uncertain <br />Or Involve Unique Or Unknown Risks. This decision is not unique for this azea, as coal-related drilling projects <br />have been previously approved in this, and other locations in proximity. The Forest Service has experience in <br />implementing and monitoring similar projects, the effects of which have been found to be reasonably predictable. <br />The amount of methane that will be vented will be measured and reported to the BLM. If the actual amount vanes <br />substantially from the amount estimated in the EA, the interdisciplinary team will be convened to reconsider [he <br />potential impacts and determine if further mitigation is needed or this decision should be reconsidered. No effects <br />from this decision would be classified as highly uncertain or involving unique or unknown risks. The effects of <br />methane contribution toward global climate change are not uncertain and [he risks are thoroughly documented <br />(www.epa.gov/globalwarming). The intensity of this factor does not require documentation in an EIS. <br />6. Consideration Of The Degree To Which The Action May Establish A Precedent For Future Actions With <br />Significant Effects Or Represents A Decision In Principle About A Future Consideration. This decision is not <br />precedent setting. The Forest has previously analyzed and permitted coal=related drilling activities in adjacent areas, <br />and areas in proximity to this project area, and on other areas on the Forest. This action is not related to coalbed <br />methane development proposals elsewhere on the National Forest, and will not establish a precedent for those <br />proposals. Coal mine methane ventilation involves venting a mixture of methane and coal mine atmosphere for the <br />purpose of reducing the potential for underground explosion, whereas coalbed methane development involves <br />producing methane as a gas for commercial sale. My decision to approve methane venting on this lease are will not <br />create a precedent for future methane venting proposals on this lease area or on other coal lease areas. Any future <br />proposals would have to be evaluated on their own merits based on the issues and effects related to the location, <br />timing and intensity of each action. <br />My decision to allow constmction of temporary roads in this portion of the West Elk IRA does not set a precedent. <br />Similar temporary roads have been permitted and constructed in this coal lease area and in adjacent coal exploration <br />lease areas periodically over the past 30 years. Documentation of the history and existence of these roads is found in <br />[he project record. Each road construction proposal was evaluated on its individual merits in the past. Future road <br />constmction proposals within the West Elk IRA will need a roadless area impact evaluation and a project roads <br />analysis similar [o [hat performed in this project EA. My decision will not affect the West Elk IRA's designation as <br />Final Version 5/3l/02 Page 16 <br />