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Regional Forester Review of Purpose and Need under the 2001 Roadless <br />Rule: <br />I have reviewed the purpose of and need for this project, as described in the Notice of <br />Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. published in the Federal Register <br />on September 18, 2006 and submitted to me in a briefing paper. As is required of me in <br />Interim Directive 1920- 2006-1 for the interim tanagement of Forest Service roadless <br />areas. 1 concur with the stated purpose and need for this project and the possibility that <br />portions of the proposed methane drainage wells and access may be located within the <br />West Elk Inventoried Roadless Area. Therefore, the proposed analysis for this project <br />should proceed. <br />cc: Randy Karstaedt, Sharon Friedman <br />PCOject: Deer Creek Shaft and F Scam. Methane Drainage Wells Project <br />Level of NEPA: EIS <br />NEPA Lead: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) <br />NEPA Cooperating Agency: Uncompahgre Field Office BLM <br />NEPA 3'd Party Consultant: Maxim-Tetra Tech <br />Proponent: Mountain Coal Company (Operator Weal Elk Mine) <br />Purpose of and Need for Action <br />Need for Actions: <br />The Forest Service has identified the need to authorize Mountain Coal Company (MCC), <br />operator of the West Elk underground coal mine, to construct, operate, and reclaim up to <br />132 methane drainage well sites, one ventilation/escapeway facility, and approximately <br />18 miles of associated road construction and reconstruction. The operations are needed <br />for the West Elk Mine to comply with Mine Safely and Health Administration (MSHA) <br />requirements for methane gas management to ensure worker safely in the underground <br />mine. The operations would enable safe recovery of leased federal coal reserves in <br />compliance with lease terms and requirements for efficient recovery of federal coal. <br />Purpose of Action <br />The purpose of the agency's action is to protect public health and safety, to prevent loss <br />of leased federal coal resources (also considered property of MCC through rights granted <br />in their leases), and to facilitate safe and efficient production of compliant and super <br />compliant coal reserves. <br />