REV13382

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 7/20/2001
• Doc Name: DECISION MEMO
• Type & Sequence: MR279
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Jl1L-20-2001 FRI 03;18 PM
1u1 20 O1 11:52a
FAX N0.
PRONIR RRNGER DISTRICT
P, 05
9'70-527-4151 p.5
I'he G~IUG roads engineering stat3'have conducted numerous site visits for proposal
review. See Attachment B for road and pad constntction and maintenance conditions of
approval.
V, REASONS FOR CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDING THE PROPOSED
AC'T'ION
1t was determined that public disclosure under a Categorical Exclusion (CE) was
adequate because prior NEPA analyses for similaz aorivity in the same azea was available,
and because newly affected surface resources are minimal.
The proposed action falls under category 8; section 31.2 of the Forest Service Handbool4
! 909. l5 -Environmental Policy one! Procedures Handbook, which states "short-tens
(one year or less) mineral, energy, or geophysical investigations and their incidental
support activities that may require cross-country travel by vehicles and equipment,
construction of less than one mile of low standard road, [o]r rise and minor repair of
existing roads" maybe excluded from documentation in an EIS or an EA.
This analysis also references the NEPA completed for federal coal leases C-1362 and
COC-5640.7. The area proposed for this GVS drilling and access lies within lands
currently twder lease for coal mitring to MCC. These leases were evaluated under NF..PA
and approved in the DN/FONSI for Coui Lease Application COC-564A7 (rilarch 1995)
and dre I)M for the Coal Lease Readjustment for lease C-1362 (January 1997). Each of
the leases contains stipulations for sluface use and access. Any surface activity proposed
will follow the terms of the lease stipulations. The lease stipulations are incorporated
into this decision memo.
VI. FINDING OF NO EXTRAORDINARY CTRCUII~TSTANCES
Extraordinary circumstances include, but aru not limited to, ground disturbing action in
the presence of steep slopes or highly etrosive soils; threstencd or endangered species and
their critical habitat; flood plains; wetlands; or municipal watersheds; Con,ressionally
designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study area, Reseazch Natural areas; or
Native Amcric.~ut religious or cultural sites, archaeological sites, or historic properties or
areas.
The area ttndcrlios an inventoried roadless area (IIZA). According to the Roadless Area
Conservation Rule (January 12, 2001), lands that were under mineral lease at dte time the
rule was published in the federal relrista arc exempt from the rule. The lands involved
have bean under lease since 196? and 1995 so aze considered "valicl existing rights"
under the Roads Area Conservation Rule.
This action does nol involve any extraordinary cireutnstances, Therefore; this action can
be categorically excluded from documentation in an envirotuncntal assessment or
environmental impact statement. '