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Coal Methane Drainage Pmjed - PaneG 16-24 IY/ert E!k Mine • Page 7-9 the road would be converted to an ATV trail; or the road would be blocked with gates or barricades, revegetated, and the road prism would be left in-place. Where roads aze obliterated or converted to trails, road surfaces would be graded to promote effective drainage and blend with the surrounding terrain; drainage and erosion control features (water bazs) would be established as necessary; the regraded areas would be revegetated, and full-size vehicle access would be blocked by placement of gates, barricades, and/or signs, as appropriate. Road obliteration is illustrated by Figure F2, Typical Access Road Configuration. In addition to decommissioning of the new road disturbance associated with [he Proposed Action, the existing Upper Deep Creek, Long Draw, West Flatiron, Upper Sylvester Gulch, and West Bench roads would be decommissioned under the Proposed Action. Approved USFS tevegetation seed mixtures would be applied to reestabhsh a vegetation community similar to the pre-disturbance community for each disturbance area. Where appropriate and prescribed by the USFS project manager, based on slope and exposure, mulch or other erosion control materials would be applied to stabilize the reclaimed surface and prevent erosion and soil loss until vegetation is reestablished. 1.4 PROJECT SCHEDULE MCC wishes to initiate mining in Panel 16 on July 1, 2002, based on the current mine production schedule. The initial MDWs for Panel 16 would need to be in-place and operational when longwall mining starts. Initial road construction would need to commence in June 2002, to accommodate this schedule. Road construction/reconstmcdon would proceed on an as-needed basis over the duration of the methane drainage program to access each of the three mining districts (Panels 14-17S, Panels 18-20, and Panels 21-24). Approximately 10 to 18 MDWs would be completed annually during the period 2002 through 2007. Tables T1A and T1B identify the projected year of initial construction 'or reconstruction for each of the proposed roads. Drilling activities would typically be scheduled during the period from June through August of each yeaz, although drilling could occur at any time between May ] and November 30 (outside the restriction period for big-game winter range). Drilling operations at each pad location would extend over a period of one to three weeks. Two drillirtg units would be used, if available, to limit the drilling season to the summer months and avoid drilling activities during late fall when weather conditions can become difficult and drilling would affect big game. Reclamation would be ongoing throughout the duration of the project, On completion of drilling and MDW installation, individual drill pads would be reduced in size, with the unused portion of the pads being reclaimed. MDW. operating pads and associated toads would be completely reclaimed when no longer needed. Reclamation activities would typically occur near the end of each annual drilling season. Extent and duration of the overall project would be a function of the success of the initial drilling and methane drainage efforts, the amount of methane encountered in each panel, and mine development and production rates. Overall project duration is currently projected at approximately 5 to 7 years (4 to 5 yeazs of progressive drilling and MDW installation activities, 1 to 2 yeazs of active methane drainage for the MDWs on the final (Panel 24) longwall panel, and 1 year of final reclamation for remaining operating pads and roads). The project duration would be reduced if less methane is encountered than anticipated (fewer MDW's would be required) or if development and production rates increase due to favorable mining or mazket conditions. Conversely, project duration would be extended if more methane is encountered than anticipated (number of drill pads would remain the same but active operation of some MDW's would be extended) or if currently projected mine development and production rates decrease. Envimnmento/fL.rerrmenl mY-/Maw.G/G/EU/D.yr J/i/o11=r V3FS ilS/01 it