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Coold9etbane Drainage Project -Panels 76-24 1!%est EIk A4ine Alterna[ive 4 - Sylvester Gulch Short-Term Access Alternative 4 includes constmction of 54 drill pads, 70 MD\X/s and ]0 exploration drillholes. A temporary road would be built in Sylvester Gulch for access between the MCC mine facilities area and the project. This road would be obliterated in 2007 when this project ends. The segment of road that would connect the Long Draw Saddle Road to the Dry Fork Road would not be constmcted. Temporary roads would be constructed and exist for two to four years. No new classified roads would be constructed. Alternative 4 would require exceptions to the high geologic hazard; steep slope; wetland, floodplain, and riparian lease stipulations. On completion of all projec[ activities, new disturbance would be reclaimed. With 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 any time of the year. Geology, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Riparian Resources -Alternative 4 results in approximately 67 acres of surface disturbance from construction activities, and 94 acres of disturbance when the roads and drill pads are decommissioned by 2007. Approximate 0.2 acres of high geologic hazard area, 3.4 acres of steep slope area, and 5.4 acres of WIZ area are affected. Alternative 4 requires exceptions from lease stipulations for these areas. Approximately 16.0 acres of moderate slope area are affected, which would require special mitigation measures, but would not require and exception to lease stipulations. Surface water and riparian effects would end after 2007 when all temporary roads would be obliterated. Wildlife -Habitat Capability/Effectiveness for elk would decline to 33 percent during operations and increase to 48 percent after roads and drill pads are obliterated by 2007. 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 42 AUMs per year of grazing capacity. The duration of grazing effects would be limited by reclamation of the Syvester Gulch access route at the end of the project. Air Quality -The duration of minor air quality effects associated with the Sylvester Gulch access route would be limited by reclamation of this route at the end of the project. Access and Recreation -The proposed S}~Jvester Gulch access route would provide shorter, more direct access to the project area than the present Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access and substantially reduce traffic and other concerns on the Minnesota Creek Road. Reclamation of the Sylvester Gulch access route could result in the need for re-disturbance for access for future mineral development. Roadless Character -Approximately 3,010 acres of IRA would be affected by proposed road consuuction and use. Project reclamation would reduce 1RA effects to 0 acres. Socioeconomics -The longer project access route would increase project. Project activities would involve annual expenditures of approximately $l0 to $20 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. Alternative 5 -Modify Plan to Com t~ly With Lease Stipulations Without Exception Alternative 5 includes construction of 45 drill pads, 57 MDWs, and ]0 exploration drillholes. Surface disturbance (access roads and drill pads would only occur in azeas where exceptions from the existing USFS lease stipulations are not required. Under this altemadve, the Sylvester Gulch, Box Canyon, and East Fork of Sylvester Gulch roads and the associated roads to drill pads would not be 'RP'/h~o~~,+^ Cad Co/En/~+lr l/J/Q'CI us4, /=/o, n. Environmental Asrersmeru