GENERAL40541 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

entity. These funds must be provided to the USFWS prior to permit approval. Failure or refusal to remit any remainder of the contribution will result in the withdrawal of any previous • issued lease(s) or approval authorization. Compliance With the Land Use Plan This application is considered to be in compliance with the existing land use plan. The San Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan (RMP) was completed and approved in September, 1985. The information in the approved land use plan determined that the area was suitable for coal development and coal production could occur without conflicting with other land uses. B. ALTERNATIVE 2-NO ACTION Do not offer the coal reserves identified in coal lease application COC 49465 for competitive lease. This would result in a depletion of the current coal reserves in the Kinq Coal mine and the complete closing of the mine in approximately three years. Not offering the coal reserves for lease would preclude Blue Flame Coal from having the opportunity to obtain coal reserves that would allow reopening of the mine. once the mines are totally closed, no access would be available into the coal acreage applied for in the lease area. It is anticipated that production, employment and truck traffic rate would be the same as the proposed action throughout the remaining life of the mines.- Currently National Rinq Coal employs 41 individuals at the mine site and in their main office and King Coal Haulers employs 5. Therefore without additional reserves National King • Coal would close the Kinq Mine and reorient their operations to one or both of two possible State coal leases and an operation approximately six miles east of Hay Gulch. III. Affected Environment A detailed description of the existing environment can be found in the San Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan (RMP). Specific resources that may be affected as a result of the proposed action are detailed below. SOILS The soils range from shallow (less than 20 inches), poorly developed units derived from interbedded sandstone and shale (Lithic Ustic Torriorthents) to deep (greater than 40 inches) aeolian derivatives (Ustollic Haplargids). The shallow soils are associated with numerous rock outcrops. Detailed soil descriptions are given in the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board permit for National King Coal's Federal Coal Leases P-058300 and C-29125. The land within the application area does not consist of prime or unique farmlands, or alluvial valley floors. An alluvial valley floor may exist below the lease application area where Pine Gulch merges into Hay Gulch. Because the lease application area does not • 8