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within these zones. Exceptions will require approval of the BLM's or USFS's Authorized Officer,. after
<br />consultation with both the Service and CDOW, to determine the type and extent of allowable variances.
<br />In mule deer and elk crucial winter range coal related facilities and surface disturbances will be authorized in
<br />the review area only if no feasible alternatives exist. The BLM and USFS wilt coordinate with the CDOW to
<br />determine the type and extent of allowable variances. Coal exploration, facility construction, and major
<br />scheduled maintenance will not be authorized within winter ranges from December 1 to April 30. All
<br />unavoidable surface disturbances within these ranges will require approval of the Authorized Officer.
<br />A potential Alluvial Valley Floor on the proposed lease tract is the Quaternary Alluvium associated with the
<br />North Fork of the Gunnison River. This area has already been found to be unsuitable for coal extraction under
<br />Criteria Number 16 - "Federal Lands in Special Floodplains". However, a concern remains that coal extraction
<br />on other parts of the proposed lease could materially damage the quantity and/or quality of water that
<br />supplies this AVF, due to the potential hydraulic connection between the AVF and Mesaverde Formation.
<br />Due to insufficient data, a determination can not be made until a mine plan for the area has been submitted.
<br />At that time, the Regulatory Official will make a finding concerning possible material damage to the alluvial
<br />valley floor. As a result of the finding, some restrictions to the mining operations may be necessary.
<br />The following mitigation measures are the result of the Environmental Analyses
<br />Because the presence of Grand Mesa Penstemon has been documented in abundance at elevations above
<br />7800 feet, plant survey and project evaluation and approval will be required prior to any surface disturbance
<br />To protect and preserve breeding and nesting habitat for the Loggerhead shrike and other neotropical birds,
<br />disturbances in sagebrush, Gambel oak stands, and riparian areas will be avoided to the extent possible.
<br />The lessee, before issuance of the mine permit, will conduct and provide to BLM an inventory of all existing
<br />state adjudicated water rights in and adjacent to the lease tract which may be impacted by subsequent
<br />mining activities. At a minimum, this inventory will include: the water right holder, location, source, amount
<br />of decree, beneficial use, historical flow, and the appropriation and adjudication dates.
<br />The lessee shall replace in a manner consistent with state law the water supply of any owner of a vested
<br />water right which is proximately injured as a result of the mining activities.
<br />Other mitigation measures on National Forest System Lands will consist of applicable stipulations set forth in
<br />the 1993 GMUG Oil and Gas Leasing EIS. The mitigation measures are listed below and in more detail in
<br />Appendix 2. These stipulations will accompany the Forest Service recommendation to lease. In addition,
<br />Conditions of Approval ICOAI, which are within the scope of these stipulations, will be developed at the time
<br />surface activity is proposed. Typical COA's can be referred in the 1993 GMUG Oil and Gas Leasing EIS.
<br />For those areas having moderate geologic hazards, a special interdisciplinary team analysis and mitigation plan
<br />detailing construction and mitigation techniques will be required on all or portions of Sec. 14, 22, 23, and 26,
<br />T.13S., R.90W., 6th PM as shown on Map 5.
<br />For those areas with slopes ranging from 40 to 60 percent, a special interdisciplinary team analysis and
<br />mitigation plan detailing construction and mitigation techniques will be required on all or portions of Sec. 14,
<br />22, 23, and 26, T.13S., R.90W., 6th PM as shown on Map 6.
<br />No surface occupancy or use will apply to all wetlands, Floodplains and riparian areas on the National Forest.
<br />No surface occupancy or use is allowed on portions of Sec. 14, 22, and 23, T.13S., R.90W., 6th PM shown
<br />on Map 7 due to high geologic hazards.
<br />No surface occupancy or use is allowed where slopes are greater than 60 percent within portions of Sec. 14,
<br />22, 23, and 26, T.13S., R.90W., 6th PM as shown on the Map 6.
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