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Alternative 2: Proposed Action with the Elimination of Exploration Holes IP99-3 and iP99-18. This altemative involved considering modifying the CEL and adding seven coal exploration holes IP99-3 and 9, IP2001-21, 22, 23, and 24; modifying the exploration plan for the FCL by adding coal exploration drill holes IP99-16 and 17, and five GVBs (GVB-D-8-A, GVB-D-8-B, GVB-B-D-C, GVB-9-D-A and GVB-9-D-B), approving a GVB at the location of BRL-00-66-MW, considering access needs to the GVBs and existing monitor wells, and changing stipulations on the FCL pertaining to elk wintering and calving, and for vehicular access needs to GVBs. This alternative was developed in response to public concerns identified during scoping. Alternative 3: No Action. Analysis of the No Action altemative is required by CEQ Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1502.14(d). Under the no action alternative, modifying the CEL drilling plan and the FCL exploration plan would not be approved, and approval for the GVBs and access needs would not be granted for the GVBs or monitoring wells. The proposed changes to the lease stipulations would not be made. Activities approved previously on the CEL and FCL would still be allowed. The land would continue to be managed according to Forest Plan standards, goals and guidelines. V. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Public input on this project was requested through two rounds of public scoping. In the initial effort, individual scoping letters were mailed to 55 interested parties on July 27, 2000. A public notice appeared in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on July 27, 2000, and a news release was published in the Delta County Independent-North Fork Times on July 26, 2000. In addition, the Paonia District Minerals specialist attended the August 4, 2000 meeting of the North Fork Coal Working Group (NFCWG, a community-based collaborative group working on coal-related issues) to present the proposal to the group and invite comments. The project has also been included in the GMUG Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA), an electronic accounting of active projects that is available to the general public through the Internet, and is mailed to over 300 interested parties. During the second round of scoping, individual scoping letters were mailed to 59 interested parties on February 2, 2001, and public notices appeared in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and the Delta County Independent-North Fork Times on January 31, 2001. Irt addition, the Paonia District Minerals specialist attended the February 3, 2001 meeting of the NFCWG to present the revised proposal to the group and invite comments. The GMUG heard from a total of 12 parties during both scoping efforts. Records of all scoping documents and responses are contained in the project file. The completed EA was sent out for 30-day public review and comment on October 24, 2001. The EA was mailed to 22 parties (EA, Chapter 7). In addition, a public notice which announced the availability of the EA for public review and comment appeared in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on October 27, 2001. The EA was discussed at the