REV103410 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~A~ United States Forest Paonia P.O. Box 1030 Department of Service Ranger District N Rio Grande Ave. Agriculture PHONE NO. 970-527-4131 Paonia, CO 81428 FAX 970-527-4151 File Code: 2$20-4 Date: July 29, 2002 RECEIVED Mr. Jim Burnell Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology JUL 31 2002 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Division of Minerals & Geology Deaz Jim, The Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) has reviewed Mountain Coal Company's (MCC) Technical Revision 96 (TR-96) for the methane drainage of Panels 16- 24. As you are aware, the GMUG has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA), and issued a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) to fulfill the requirements of NEPA for this project. Our DN/FONSI was subject to public appeal, the period for which ended July 19. We then had a 5-day administrative stay, which ended at close of business July 26. Absent hearing from our Washington, D.C. office that an appeal was filed and arrived there by close of business July 26, the project maybe implemented. We do need to bring the following points to the Division's attention based on our review of TR- 96: 1. MCC has submitted a "2002 Decision Map" and a "TR-96 map". The 2002 Decision Map shows the components of TR-96 for which the GMUG has completed a NEPA analysis and issued a decision. The TR-96 map shows drill sites and road alignments for methane drainage wells (MDWs) 18-03, 18-04, 19-04, 19-05/06, 20-04/05, 21-05/06, 21-07/22-07, 22-08 and 21- 08. These MDWs and associated access were specifically excluded from our DN/FONSI, with the decision regarding these being deferred until additional field work could be completed (DN/FONSI, page 5). We anticipate completing the needed field work this summer, and assessing whether additional NEPA documentation is required and/or issuing a second decision in the fall. 2. Both maps show the Sylvester Gulch Road (termed the Sylvester Road in the DN/FONSI) in the bottom of the drainage. The associated text also refers to this road being in the bottom. The GMUG has formally rejected this proposed road alignment, as was conveyed in our May 6, 2002 letter to the Division. The current status of this proposed road is that the GMUG has been working with MCC to find an alternate alignment. The intent at this point is to evaluate several alignments and assess the most feasible route, then evaluate whether the EA adequately addressed effects of the route selected. 3. Under the heading SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY, the text refers that the project area watercourses do not flow year round. In the EA it was identified that Deep Creek is a perennial stream. 4. Under the heading SOILS and PRE DRILLING ACTIVITIES, the text refers to MDW drill Caring for the Land and Serving People Pn~rea o~ aecydea vsce~ ~~