PERMFILE71207 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

24HG2E27XC Sample Hole(s) Project Plan Minor Revision 320 Page 5 of I I The proposed well project will be managed to avoid conflicts with the deer and elk on winter range and user conflict during big game hunting season. Operations will be located such as to not interfere with raptor nesting sites, including Golden and Bald Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon. Additional wildlife information pertaining to the azea is contained in the report titled, "Box Canyon West Methane Drainage Wells, Wildlife Habitat Evaluations and Inventory for T&E, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species" prepared by Michael Ward Outdoors and Monarch & Associates dated June 2005, submitted with the MR-306 Annual Operating Plan. ' THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES Previous Threatened and Endangered and Sensitive Species (TESS) clearance surveys have not identified threatened or endangered plant or animal species on West Flatiron, Dry Fork, or within adjacent coal exploration azeas of Ravens Gulch or Sylvester Gulch. Previous reports titled, "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Drill Site Cleazance Survey for Panels 16, 17, and 175, October 2001" and "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Clearance Survey for Panels 18 through 24, West Elk Mine, October 2001", indicate that none of the TESS species that could potentially occur within the Gunnison National Forest would be adversely impacted by the proposed project. The Final West-Central Colorado Coal Environmental Statement prepazed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, BLM, 1979 describes the vegetation areas adjacent to the MDW project area on pages 573 through 577. The EIS concluded that no threatened or endangered plants (pp.573-577) exist in the area adjacent to the proposed drilling location. The Wildlife Section (pp. 577-582) includes description of the lands associated with the MDWs 19-09, 19-10 and 19-11. The only threatened wildlife species is the bald eagle, which inhabits the North Fork Gunnison Valley during the winter months. Delisting of the bald eagle from the US threatened species list is currently proposed. This EIS also concludes that no Threatened or Endangered aquatic species (pp. 580-582) exist in the area Several Environmental Analyses have been conducted for the project area. One report, the Ravens Gulch Exploration Area encompasses the proposed 19-09, 19-10 and 19-I1 well pads. The most recent analysis was completed in 1998 for 19 drill holes and associated temporary access roads. The Decision Memo and Finding of No Significant Impact, Mountain Coal Company, Proposed Coal Exploration License, as approved by Mr. Ray L. Kingston, Paonia District Ranger (4-13-98) stated, "The proposed action will not adversely affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat." The proposed activity of this project is nearly identical to the approved activity on the Ravens Gulch Exploration License and for Longwall Panels 14 and 15. An Environmental