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APPENDIX I Unsuitabilirv Analysis and Report Mountain Coal Comoanv COC-56447 DESCRIPTION OF THE FEDERAL LANDS INVOLVED This unsuitability analysis and report has been prepared fora 2769.67 acre tract of federal coal lands described as: T.13S., R.90W., 6th Principal Meridian, Sec. 10, SE%SE'/.; 40.00 acres Sec. 11, SW%SW%, Lots 9 to 12, inclusive; 183.81 acres Sec. 14, Lots 1 to t 6, inclusive: 568.73 acres f~ec. 15, E'hW%=SW%, Lots 1 to 4, inclusive; 180.63 acres Sec. 22, Lots 1 to 16, inclusive; 611 .37 acres ~~ec. 23, Lots 1 to 16, inclusive; 578.21 acres Sec. 26, Lots 1 to 16, inclusive; 606.92 acres This tract was identified as a result of a coal lease application submitted by Mountain Coal Company, March 11, 1994. The tract lies approximately three miles east of the town of Somerser. in Gunnison County, Colorado. Approximately 2,509 acres are federal surface and federal minerals. The U.S. Forest Service manages the surface of 2,365 acres and the BLM manages 144 acres. The remainder of the surface 1261 acres! is privately owned by Mountain Coal Company and Somerset Mining Company; the mineral estate is federally owned. The tract . also lies adjacent to an existing producing coal mine. As a first step in this analysis, the preliminary mining plan submitted by the applicant was examined in order to identify areas in which the proposed underground mining operation would produce :surface effects. All of the areas on which surface facilities associated with the proposed operation were to be located and all the areas identified as likely to be affected by subsidence were delineated as having surface effects. The unsuitability criteria were then applied individually to the areas identified as having surface effects. Each criterion was applied individually and maps were developed showing the applicability of the criterion. Then after all criteria had been applied, the exceptions of each criterion found to be applicable were then examined to determine if the exceptions were also applicable. Finally, after the process had been completed, a summary, stating the conclusions of the report was written. In compiling this analysis and report, the unsuitability criteria published in 43 CFR 3461 were used. The unsuitability criteria were applied individually to the area being considered. Exceptions to .certain criteria allow areas to be considered further even though they have been determined to be unsuitable. These exceptions to the criteria are noted where applied. ANALYSI`.i OF THE UNSUITABILITY CRITERIA Exemptior~s to the criteria are not described as no exemptions were determined to apply. Exception:; to the criteria are described only if they apply.