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z the same set of stipulations. These stipulations were amended by a 1987 minerals leasing amendment and restated in the September 1991 Amendment to the Land and Resource Management Plan. Current Focest Service Manual Direction gives modified stipulations which are to be incorporated into the Land and Resource Management Plans by amendment to that plan. This amendment is presently being prepared. The riparian buffer zone was the result of the application of Coal Unsuitability Criterion No 14. The riparian buffer zone was established in consultation with the USF&WS and is documented in the Unsuitability Criteria analysis completed in conjunction with the' 1989 Uncompahgre Basin Resource Management Plan. It is applicable to BLM and split estate lands where the coal is managed by the U.S. This buffer has been used in ocher riparian areas in the past. Approximately 180 acres are within the Box Canyon riparian area, which includes FS, BLM and split estate lands. Map 4 in the EA has been revised to delineate the buffer zone as well as the riparian area. The riparian stipulation does allow for exceptions after approval of the authorized officer and consultation with the USF&WS and CDOW. We realize that this is a rise. to the mining company because they may not be able to put surface facilities - andre~ conduct exploration in this area. Until there is a site specific proposal, we .:. cannot analyze the impacts to the riparian area. In some cases, particularly on the - private sc~face, the proposal may be mitigated by off-site mitigation measures and may possib~y include the construction of permanent facilities. However, the stipulation doe- gut the iessee on notice that there is a concern in the Box Canyon riparian area. .Tr,:: NSO stipulation is based on surface conditions or uses. These. conditions or uses cictate which stipulations are required. The NSO stipulation would not be requirec if the land in question.did not meet the criteria of the NSO stipulation. The riparian area, as determ+^ed by FS and BLM biologists, does extend onto the private surface and federal coo: ;ands. Because lease issuance is a federal action, the riparian lands on the private s~.:-face must be protected as well. However, when a site specific proposal is received, if it is determined that the proposal will not impact the riparian area, then an e±:ception/waiver may be granted. We do not believe that surface use, partic;;:arly that which requires road construction can be considered having "little 'any adverse environmental consequences." Our experience has been that ; ~rface use such as this can have significant impacts such as that which has occurr~^ with the gullying of the road. (• ~.