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Forest Service Proposed Action <br />The Forest Service proposes to authorize MCC to conduct operations associated with <br />accessing, constructing, operating and reclaiming up to 154 individual methane drainage <br />wells (MDWs) on 132 drilling locations, and one ventilation/escapeway shaft. The <br />Forest Service also proposes to authorize the construction and use of about 18 miles of <br />new roads necessary for these operations. The proposed action includes a 0.6-mile re- <br />routing an existing life-of--mine administrative access road to address issues related to <br />geologic hazards, sedimentation control and maintenance issues. <br />Approximately 2.5 miles of new roads (including the 0.6 mile re route) associated with <br />constructing or providing access to about 27 methane drainage wells on 21 drill sites <br />would be in the West Elk Inventoried Roadless Area. The attached map shows the <br />location and geographic scope of the proposed action. <br />The Forest Service would issue a special use authorization for these uses of NFS lands. <br />The special use authorization would be consistent with the terms of the two federal coal <br />leases on which operations are proposed, and would include conditions identified in the <br />environmental analysis and final Forest Service decision on the project. <br />Conditions attached to the special use authorization would be consistent with provisions <br />' al 36 CFR 204.12 (b)(7) with requires road construction and reconstruction on mineral <br />leases to "be conducted in a manner that minimizes effects on surface resources, prevents <br />unnecessary or unreasonable surface disturbance, and complies with all applicable lease <br />' requirements, land and resource management plan direction, regulations, and laws." Also <br />consistent with that provision of RACR, the Forest Service would require the operator to <br />decommission all roads by obliteration when no longer needed for the purposes of the <br />^ lease. <br />Regulatory and Policy Requirements <br />Forest Service Policy Applicable to Proposed Project <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 and includes proposed temporary road construction in an <br />IRA, the Purpose and Need must be approved by the Regional Forester. <br />Provisions of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule Applicable to Proposed <br />Project <br />On September 19, 2006, Judge Elizabeth U. Laporto of the United States District Court <br />of the Northern District of California set aside the State Petitions Rule and reinstated the <br />Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001 (RACR). Consequently, consideration must be <br />