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' USDA <br />1 <br />United States Forest Rocky P.O. Box 25127 <br />Department of Service Mountain Lakewood, CO 80225-0127 <br />Agriculture Region Delivery: 740 Simms Street <br />Golden, CO 80401 <br />Voice: 303-275-5350 <br />TDD: 303-275-5367 <br />File Code: 2820-4!2730-3!1920 <br />Route To: <br />Date JAN 1 8, 07 - <br />Subject: Regional Forester Review of Purpose and Need for Deer Creek Shaft and <br />E Seam Methane Drainage Wells Project involving Roads in an <br />Inventoried Roadless Area <br />To: Forest Supervisor. Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National <br />Forests <br />The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) is evaluating a <br />proposal for surface use and access on National Forest System lands subject to terms of <br />federal coal leases for operations associated with constructing, operating, and reclaiming <br />methane drainage and ventilalion/escapewav facilities. These facilities are needed to <br />efficiently produce federal coal reserves at the West Elk Mine, operated by Mountain <br />Coal Company. Portions of the proposed activities fall within an inventoried roadless <br />area (IRA). <br />The GMUG has aForest-Scale Roads Analysis Procedure completed but does not have a <br />revised Forest Plan. Consequently under the terms of Interim Directive No. 1920-2006-I. <br />the decision authority for this project lies with the Forest Supervisor. However, because <br />this project requires an EIS, the Purpose and Need must he approved by the Regional <br />Forester. Details of the purpose and need arc given below. <br />Purpose of and Need for Action <br />Need for Action <br />The Forest Service has identified the need to authorize MCC. operator of the West Elk <br />underground coal mine, to construct, operate, and reclaim up to 132 methane drainage <br />well sites, one ventilation/escapeway facilities, and approximately 18 miles of associated <br />road construction and reconstruction. The operations are needed for the West Elk Mine to <br />comply with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requirements for methane <br />gas management to ensure worker safety in the underground mine. The operations would <br />enable safe recovery of leased federal coal reserves in compliance with lease terms and <br />requirements for efficient recovery of federal coal. <br />