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Coal Methane DmrnaQe Psnjed - Aanek 16-24 Wett Elk Mrne • Pa2e 2-19 2.5.8 Future Methane Gas Development Methane gas is a resource that was made available for leasing in the 1993 GMUG Oil and Gas EIS and ROD. Continuing increases in energy demand, recent recognition of the need for increased supply, and the occurrence of methane gas in association with coal in the area have resulted in interest in and consideration of commercial methane production. It is foreseeable that gas leases would be pursued, permits obtained, and commercial methane development and production initiated. The BLM understands and has addressed potential resource conflicts between coal and gas development. With coal proven as a viable resource in this area, coal development has been given priority and gas development cannot interfere with existing mining operations. Engineering studies have been and are being conducted to better understand the potential for commercial methane development in this azea. If the gas is leased and developed, a pipeline would be construcied and area roads wou]d be used for daily monitoring. 2.5.9 Past, Present, and Future Geophysical Exploration Surveys In 1998 and 1999, MCC hired a contractor to perform geophysical seismic surveys in and near the project area. The surveys consisted of detonation of low impact explosives while simultaneously recording the vibrations or seismic waves that result. The wave characteristics are then interpreted to provide information on geologic structure and possible faults in the survey area. This type survey can be a helpful exploration method and requites very minimal surface disturbance. The 1998 survey was conducted on USFS "classified" roads. In 1999 a 2.1-mile shallow seismic line was run along the Deep Creek drainage. Very minor surface effects occurred and no residual visible effects are evident. Future surveys aze antiupated for exploration of the E Seam. Additional surveys may also be considered for further B Seam definition, although none aze currently planned. 2.5.10 Past, Present, and Future Range Use and Improvements This area has been grazed for many yeazs, and is currently managed on intensive time-controlled rotational grazing system. There are no planned changes in the grazing system and future range improvements may be implemented as needed. 2.5.11 Vegetative Treatment There have been no commercial timber sales within the cumulative effects area in the past 10 to 15 yeazs and none aze currently planned. The area is presently open for personal fuewood gathering, but use is low. A 600.acre prescribed bum to improve wildlife habitat occurred in a mountain shrub area about 1 mile east of the lease modification areas in 1992. This area has effectively revegetated in mountain shrub/oak. No other habitat improvement projects are planned at this time. 2.5.12 Recreation In the past 20 yeazs, the primary recreational use in the project area has been big game hunting. Use of ATVs has dramatically increased in the past 10 yeas with most use occurring during hunting seasons. In August 2001, the Forest Supervisor signed a closure order that limits ATV use to existing roads and trails. No recreation developments aze currently planned. 2.5.13 Roadless Inventory Pazt of the project azea was inventoried and designated as pazt of the West Elk IRA in 1979 in the RARE II process. The portion of the West Elk IRA that includes the project azea was not recommended for wilderness designation or as a "further planning area". The project area was not designated for management as roadless in the GMUG Forest Plan. The Forest Plan did not restrict road building in the "non-wilderness designated" portion of the West EIk IRA. The Record of I ~~/~~~~~/~ /J/out `,,F EnvironmentalAuettment f/r/or.w