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• The Secretary retains <br />this approval, as req <br />consultation with the <br />pursuant to section 7 <br />amended, 16 U.S.C. §§ <br />jurisdiction to modify or cancel <br />aired, on the basis of further <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />of the Endangered Species Act, as <br />1531 et seq. <br />The mining plan modification proposed by BCC involves 165 <br />acres, as shown on the attached map. The proposed mining <br />plan would cause no new surface disturbance except mining- <br />induced subsidence. The B coal seam would continue to be <br />mined at an average production rate of about 500,000 tons <br />per year for about two more years. Seven new underground <br />mining panels would be added to the underground mining area <br />in the B seam adjacent to and west of the current B seam <br />mining area. With this mining plan action, the approved <br />mining plan area for the Bear Mine would contain a total of <br />716 acres, including the previously approved mining plan <br />area for Federal leases D-052501 and C-42481. <br />The special Federal conditions of mining plan approval would <br />protect cultural resources and endangered fishes in the <br />event that new information or future changes in conditions <br />may result in impacts to these resources. <br />2. Alternative 2: Disapproval of the Proposed Mininq Plan <br />Modification (The "No Action" Alternative). <br />• Under this alternative, the ASLMM would disapprove the <br />mining plan modification for Federal lease C-42481. If <br />disapproved, about 650,000 tons of Federal coal would not be <br />mined. Operations at the Bear Mine would continue to be <br />conducted under the currently-approved mining plan. Coal <br />reserves approved for mining under the currently-approved <br />mining plan and permit would be mined out by the end of <br />July 1994, at which time reclamation of the mine would <br />begin. <br />B. Other Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Detailed <br />Analysis <br />Approval of the Proposed Mininq Plaa Modification without <br />Special Federal Conditions. <br />Special Federal conditions of mining plan approval are <br />required to satisfy the requirements of Federal laws, <br />Executive orders, and regulations. The ASLMM could not <br />approve the proposed mining plan modification without the <br />special conditions. Therefore; this alternative was not <br />considered a reasonable alternative. <br />• 5 <br />