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Coa(Metbane DraimaQe Project- PaneG 16-24 Wer[ Elk Mime 1-0 ' 3) Constructing new roads and returning roads and trails to service that were previously constructed and then reclaimed or closed 4) Constructing approximately 54 temporary drill pads (some of which would also be used as staging areas) 5) Drilling up to 10 exploration drillholes and drilling and completing approximately 70 MDWs 6) Operating the MDWs to drain methane kom the underground mine workings 7) Plugging and sealing the exploration dtillholes and MDWs and reclaiming the associated surface disturbance 8) Retaining the Sylvester Gulch access route for long-term (approximately 30 yeazs) future mining access 9) Obliterating all temporary roads constructed or reconstructed for project activities Based on MCC's recent experience in using MDWs to drain methane from active underground mine workings, the proposed action should provide adequate methane drainage to allow completion of scheduled mine development and production from the B Seam coal reserves within the project azea. Required project access roads and drill pads have been laid out on maps based on the best information available at this time, taking into consideration panel layout for the underground mine development; MDW spacing and sizing based on previous methane drainage experience; and topographic, access, and known environmental constraints. Actual on-ground construction and development will involve shifting the location and alignment of surface facilities (roads and drill pads) to fit the terrain and avoid unstable or sensitive azeas. These activities would be initiated immediately upon receipt of all required regulatory approvals and would continue for a period of five to six yeazs (including final site reclamation). The surface disturbance associated with these activities is illustrated by Map Ml, Project Atea Activities Wirh Surface Stipulations. This map and the project impact analyses are based on the anticipated disturbance scenario. Exact locations and alignments may shift considerably based on field design considerations, however, project disturbance areas would not change appreuably and project-related impacts would remain essentially the same. One of the primary limitations on project-related impacts is that disturbance is restricted in certain areas due to environmental constraints. Restricted azeas aze identiFed and generally delineated on Map Ml, Project Area Activities with Surface Stipulations. The following sections describe plans and procedures for each component of the proposed action. 1.3.1 Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork Road Use From the MCC mine facilities azea, project access using the Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork Road would involve traveling west from the mine approximately 10.2 miles on State Highway 133 to the Paonia turn-off, traveling through the Town of Paonia approximately ].6 miles to Gunnison County Road 710, traveling east on County Road 710 approximately 5.7 miles [o USFS Forest Road FR 711 (Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork Road), traveling east and north approximately 3.2 miles on FR 711 to FR 711.2B (Horse Gulch Road), and then traveling north and east on FR 711.2B and FR 711.A1 (West Flatiron Road) approximately 1.6 miles to the Two Ponds intersection. This access route, which includes roads both outside of and within the project azea, is shown on Figure Fl, General Location. Total distance for this route would be approximately 22.3 miles. This access route would be used for approximately one yeaz for initial project area access until the Sylvester Gulch access route is constructed and drill pads accessed by the Upper Deep Creek Road are reclaimed in 2003. EnvironmrntalA.rrerrment ®: PP/Nwnv CrlG/(il/14.y 1/~/O1EI USFS J/t/01 dY