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Cool A9elbane Draina-pe Pmjea - PaneG 76-24 I{'~er1 E!k d9ine Alternative 3 -Minnesota Creek/Horse Gulch Access • Pape 4 Alternative 3 includes construction of 54 drill pads, 70 MD\X/s and ]0 exploration drillholes. Project area access would be from the existing Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access for the duration of the project. The proposed Sylvester Gulch access route would not be constructed. Temporary roads would be constructed and exist for two to four vears. No new classified roads would be consuvcted. Alternative 3 would require exceptions to the high geologic hazard; steep slope; wetland, floodplain, and riparian lease stipulations. On completion of all project activities, new dismrbance would be reclaimed. Vi/idt the exception of the Minnesota Creek, Dry Fork, and Horse Gulch roads, public motorized vehicle use would not be allowed on roads within the project area at an}' time of the year. Geology, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Riparian Resources -Alternative 3 results in approximately 63 acres of surface disturbance from constmction activities, and 97 acres of dismrbance when the roads and drill pads are decommissioned by 2007. Approximate 0.2 acres of high geologic hazard area, ].3 acres of steep slope area, and 5.4 acres of WIZ area would be affected. Alternative 3 requires exceptions from lease stipulations for these areas. Approximately 14.3 acres of moderate slope area are affected, which would require special mitigation measures, but would not require an exception to ]ease stipulations. Temporary surface runoff and sediment effects in the Minnesota Creek watershed would increase due to traffic using this access. Roads would not be constructed in Sylvester Gulch and on a portion of the Long Draw Saddle Road, therefore resources in these areas would not be affected in Alternative 3. Surface water and riparian effects would end after 2002 when all temporary roads would be obliterated. Wildlife -Habitat capabilit}'/effectiveness for elk would decline to 33 percent during operations and increase to 48 percent after roads and drill pads are obliterated by 2007. Wildlife habitat in Sylvester Gulch would not be affected in Alternative 3. The duration of effects would be limited and Habitat Capability/Effectiveness enhancement would occur in 2007 when all temporary roads would be obliterated. Livestock and Grazing -Disturbance would result in temporary loss of approximately 38 AUMs per year of grazing capacity. The majority of project access traffic would use the Minnesota Creek, Horse Gulch, and West Flatirons Roads. Project traffic on the southern portion of the West Flatiron Road would increase the potential for effects on range improvements, since man}' of the existing improvements are in this area. Air Quality -Project access traffic would travel 17.5 miles on public and Forest Sen'ice roads before reaching the project area. The increased access distance under Alternative 3 would potentially offset any site-specific reduction in air emissions resulting from not constmcting and using the Sylvester Gulch access route and could result in greater overall emissions. Access and Recreation -Use of the 1\tinnesota Creek/Dn~ Fork access route would result in continuing traffic and other concerns along this route, including impacts for the portion of this route that runs through the Town of Paonia. Roadless Character - Approximately 3,070 acres of IRA would be affected by proposed road/construction and use. Project reclamation would reduce IRA effects to 0 acres. Socioeconomics -The longer project access route would increase project. Project activities would involve annual expenditures of approximately $10 to f20 million in 2002 through 2007 for road and drill' pad construction, drilling operations, methane drainage activities, and ongoing reclamation. Current mine employment levels would be maintained while the mine produces approximately 6 to 7 million tons of coal annually for 6 years. E nvimnmental Arrerrmearl W:UT/Mwmm~ (yd Cn/EA/0.afi INpHEI USR vs/m,m