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In accordance with the September 24, 1996, Biological Opinion and Conference Report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to OSM, the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology has sought comments from the USFWS on threatened and endangered species and has incorporated the necessary reporting requirements into the Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance for Technical Revision No. 16, Bowie No. 2 Mine, C-96-083. The USFWS and the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology did not develop or recommend any species-specific protective measures. OSM concurs with the State Historic Preservation Officer's (SHPO) assessment and recommendations for protection of cultural resources, as stated in the SHPO concurrence letter dated June 20, 2000. The Bureau of Land Management concurred with the proposed new mining plan with respect to Federally owned surface lands within the proposed mining plan area in a letter dated October4, 2000. The proposed area of mining plan approval is not unsuitable for mining according to section 522(b) of SMCRA. The new mining plan azea is not on any Federal lands within the boundaries of any national forest at this time. However, portions of the Iron Point Track Lease extending beyond the current State permit and this new mining plan area aze located on Federal • lands west of the 100th meridian and within the boundaries of the Gunnison National Forest. I have determined that approval of this new mining plan will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The environmental analysis prepared by BLM and OSM for the North Fork Coal Final Environmental Impact Statement and other environmental documents noted in the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), describe the impacts that may result from approval of this new mining plan and its alternatives. The FONSI and supporting environmental analyses aze included in this decision document. OSM's review of the proposed action did not identify any issues that required resolution via the addition of special conditions to the mining plan approval. Publication of a notice in the Delta County Independent newspaper notified the public of the availability of the administratively complete PAP for review. The last publication date was June 21, 2000. No public comments on the PAP were received after the public notice was published. The CO-DMG determined that a bond for $4,946,025 is adequate for the Colorado Permit No. C-96-083 associated with this new mining plan. The bond is payable to the State and the United States.