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19-O1, 19-02/19-03 <br />20-01/20-02, 20-03, <br />21-01/21-02/21-03,21-04, <br />22-01, 22-02, 22-03/22-03A, 22-04, and 22-05/22-06 <br />23-01,23-02,23-03A/23-03B,23-04,23-05/23-06,23-06/23-07 <br />24-01/24-02/24-03,24-03A,24-04,24-05,24-06/24-07, 24-08 <br />D. Methane Drainage Wells (MDWs) and Exploration holes: Approximately 58 MDWs and 10 exploration holes <br />may be constructed from the approved drill pads. - If directional drilling proves to be more effecflve than currently <br />estimated, additional MDWs may be drilled from the approved pads. <br />The approximate temporary road alignments and pad locations are shown on the map that follows this section of <br />text. The Paonia District Ranger will approve the final road aligmnents and pad locations after field review to <br />ensure minimal surface disturbance and protection of other resources. <br />Each MDW will be plugged and reclaimed as soon as it is no longer needed for methane drainage. This project is <br />expected to end in 2007. The temporary roads accessing the MDW will be decommissioned by obliteration as soon <br />as the hole it services is no longer needed, and reclamation has been completed. To minimize the amount of traffic <br />on the Minnesota Creek Road, the Forest Service urges MCC to drill MDW 17-O1 after MDW 16-01 is constmcted, <br />if this sequence also meets MCC's operational needs. <br />4. Road Decommissioning <br />A. All existing and newly constmcted temporary roads in the project area will be decommissioned by obliteration <br />after MDW use is complete, with the exception of the ATV route described in Item 4B. <br />B. The future ATV route includes the West Flatiron Road, the Long Draw Saddle Road and the West Bench Road <br />and two connecting segments of existing trail. These temporary roads will be decommissioned by conversion to <br />ATV trail. MCC will use Forest Service specifications for ATV trail constmction for trail design and construction. <br />C. Panel 14 and 15 Carryover: Methane drainage was approved for Panels 14 and 15 in the summer and fall of <br />2001. Some of these existing MDWs will be used to drain methane during development of Panels 16 and 17. When <br />methane drainage activity is completed from MDWs approved for use in Panels 14 and 15, MCC will decommission <br />the roads and segments of roads that access these MDWs. This includes the West Bench Road, the southernmost <br />3000 feet of the West Flat Iron Road and the easternmost 500 feet of the Long Draw Road. In the Panel I S DN, the <br />District Ranger decided that the West Bench Road and [he West Flatiron Road would be decommissioned and <br />returned to their previous condition after MDW use was complete. The decision for this project is consistent with <br />the fall 2001 Panel 15 Decision Notice, in that these two roads will be converted to ATV trails after Panel 16 <br />through 24 MDW use is complete. The West Point Road will be decommissioned by obliteration when no longer <br />needed for MDW use. <br />D. The segment of the existing unclassified Meadow Road that is within the Gunnison National Porest will be <br />decommissioned by obliteration when no longer needed for project access. It is expected that the constmction of the <br />Sylvester road will preclude the need for use on [he Meadow Road by summer 2003. <br />5. Exceptions to Lease Stipulations <br />A. A project specific exception will be made to [he No Surface Occupancy Stipulation for slopes over 60% for <br />constrnction of a 2,300-foot segment of the Sylvester Road. Use of lands with slopes over 60% will be minimized <br />to the shortest possible distance. Road design will include constructed features and mitigation measures to minimize <br />impacts. The IDT found no other practical alternative location for this road, after considering environmental effects <br />and operational considerations. FS must approve MCC's road design, specifications, and expected use standards <br />before construction approval will be given. Mitigation measures will be finalized after an on-site field review. <br />B. A project specific exception will be made to the No Surface Occupancy Stipulation for Riparian Areas for <br />construction of the drill pad 16-06 and 900 feet of spur road to access drill pad 16-08. This exception would apply <br />to approximately 1.3 acres of land. During field layout of proposed facilities, other small stretches of road and drill <br />Final Version 5/31/02 Page 4 <br />