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C°alMethane DminaQe Pr°jed - PaneG 16-24 WetJ E!k Mine • Paee 349 The analysis of habitat capability and habitat effectiveness is strictly a quantitative analysis. HABCAP is a useful tool for project analysis to assist in determining differences in management alternatives. The following summarizes the results of the HABCAP analysis for the project alternatives. Habitat Capabilit /Habitat Effectiveness in Direct Effects Area Alt. 1 AIt.2 AIt.3 AIt.4 AIt.5 HabCap Effectiveness Durin Project 45% 33% 33% 33% 34°h HabCap Effectiveness Post- Project 45% 46% 48% 48% 48% 3.2.2 Optional Mitigation In addition to the required conditions of approval listed in Section 2.4.5 of this EA, optional mitigation measures could be applied to reduce or balance potential project-related impacts and benefits for wildlife riparian values. These optional mitigation measures will be considered by the Regional Forester, and, either be included in, or omitted from, the Decision Notice at his discretation 1) To offset the effect of elk and deer displacement from the project area and improve elk habitat effectiveness, MCC would obliterate and reclaim an additional 5.7 miles of existing road/trail in the project area. These roads/trails aze identified on the Wildlife Mitigation Map in the project file. If additional motorized routes aze discovered in the project azea, MCC and the USFS would evaluate on-site and if the USFS decides it is desirable, MCC would obliterate these routes also. MCC would obliterate and reclaim all routes in the Deep Creek drainage within the project area, including approximately two miles of roads along its eastern tributaries. 2) Ten miles of roads and trails in an azea adjacent to the project area would be obliterated and reclaimed by MCC. Approximately 10 miles of road and trail would be obliterated and reclaimed southwest of the project area between Deer Creek and Poison Guich. These roads and trails are affecting habitat in the SA Winter Range Management Area. These roads and trails are shown on the HabCap/Habitat Effectiveness Map in the project file. The Deer Creek Road, which is open to full-sized four-wheel drive vehicles would remain open in this azea. 3) MCC would restore portions of Deep Creek and Dry Fork Minnesota Creek ripazian zones/stream reaches so that channel stability and stream flows are improved. Restoration activities would be planned and designed by the USFS. 4) MCC will, where feasible, construct drill pads so that their perimeters are nonlinear, mosaic- like instead of linear or circulaz. Site reclamation, where feasible, should provide for landfonn diversity to benefit wildlife species habitat. Landform diversity is created with topographic features, rock piles, shrub plantings etc. (see Landscape Design Guidelines for Reclaimed Coal- Mined Land, available at the Paonia District office). 5) For all action alternatives, prescribe bum matttre oak on south and southwest facing slopes within the project azea. Bum units would be designed so that a mosaic is created. Prescribed burning would be carried out by the USFS. Close coordination with MCC project activities, especially during reclamation is necessary. Areas considered at this time for prescribed burning include Long Draw, West Bench, and Deep Creek Bench. I T:®-/A/.nv1 GdG/EI/fT/f/t/03Er Lr,t~t 3/J/@O EnnimnmentolA.rreument