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Bleeder Ventilation Facility . Due to the expected methane liberation .races associated with mining coal at the depths occurring in the Box Canyon lease tract, it is anticipated chat small ventilation facilities would need to be constructed at regular intervals along the eastern boundary of the tract to provide adequate ventilation of the mine. These facilities would consist of a 4' to 6' diameter shaft extending into the "B" seam, a shaft rock stockpile site, a fan Co exhaust air from the mine, an all weather access road, powerlines, and electrical switching facilities. Ic is anticipated that existing roads would be utilized wherever possible. The life of these facilities would be short (3-7 years), lasting only until the coal in that area of the mine was extracted and the underground workings abandoned. A maximum of four bleeder ventilation shafts are estimated to be needed. When abandoned they would be reclaimed to CDMC and Forest Service requirements. The surface disturbance at each site is estimated to be no more than five acres, with additional disturbances for access roads and powerlines. Whether the shafts will be required and their exact location is impossible to predict at this time, but it is likely the lessee would construct Che facilities in areas of minimal overburden above the coal seam. This would minimize the size of the rock stockpile area needed. Ex~' ration Drilling After the lease is issued, is is likely the lessee would need to further define the quality and structure of the coal reserve to provide for • adequate mine planning and support. It is anticipated chat eight or more additional holes would would need to be drilled Some of these or other drill holes would be required for use as water monitoring wells to meet the • requirements of CDMG and would be in service for a long period of time, possibly exceeding the life of the mine. Access on a regular basis is required to collect data. Production Production is anticipated to commence on the tract by lace 1995 if Mountain Coal Company is the successful bidder. The maximum production rate from the tract would be about 5 million tons per year, but could vary with market demand and/or production being satisfied in greater or smaller quantities from other federal leases. Yining on the tract could be completed in 10 years but may cake longer because mining would occur in conjunction with the adjacent lease tract. Production at the 4 million tons per year level would sustain a 32 year mine life for the West Elk Hine. Expected employment at the mine, ac the full production level of S million tons per year is 210 persons. In 1993, 3 million tons were produced with 189 persons employed. Compliance With the Land Use Plan This application is in compliance with the existing BLN land use plan. The Uncompahgre Basin Resource Management Plan (RMP) vas completed and approved in July, 1989. The land use plan determined that the apolicat?o~ area vas to be managed for both existing and potential coal development. The area is acceptable for coal development and coal production could occur without conflicting ocher land uses with a minimum of multiple uge restrictions as described in the RHP. The one remaining • land~u'se standard [o be applied is the Coal Unsuitability Criteria which 8