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Caa/Alethane Drainaee Proieet - PaneG 16-24 II~eJ! E(k Mine Alternative 2 -Sylvester Gulch/Long Draw Saddle Long-Term Access Alternative 2 is the Proposed Action. Alternative 2 includes construction of 54 drill pads and 70 MDWs and 10 exploration drillholes. A classified road called the Sylvester Gulch access route would be constructed in the project area and used for the next 30 years for access to the mining lease area and potential future lease areas. The existing Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access would be utilized for initial project area access until completion of the Syhester Gulch access route, in the fall of 2002 and would continue to be used for activities in Upper Deep Creek until 2003, or early 2004. Additional temporary roads would be constructed and exist for two to four years. Alternative 2 would involve construction of roads and drill pads in restricted areas and require exceptions to the high geologic bazard; steep slope; and wetland, floodplain, and riparian lease stipulations. On completion of all project activities, new disturbance would be reclaimed with the exception of the Sylvester Gulch access route. ~X/ith the exception of the 1Vlinnesota Creek, Drv 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 2 results in approximately 6S acres of surface dismrbance from construction activities, and 90 acres of disturbance when the roads and drill pads are decommissioned. Approximately 0.2 acres of high geologic hazard area, 3.4 acres of steep slope area, and 5.4 acres of Water Influence Zone (WIZ) areas would be affected by roads and drill pad construction. Alternative 2 requires exceptions from lease stipulations for these areas. Approximately l6 acres of moderate slope area are affected, which would require special mitigation measures, but would not require and exception to lease stipulations. Wildlife -Habitat Capability/Effectiveness for elk would decline to 33 percent during operations and increase to 46 percent after roads and drill pads are obliterated by 2002 The S}']vester Gulch project access would continue to affect wildlife habitat until it is obliterated in 2030. 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. Use of the Sylvester Gulch project access would extend adverse effects and delay some beneficial effects. Air Quality -Deferred reclamation of the S}dvester Gulch access route would extend any minor impacts from the associated road disturbance areas. Access and Recreation -The proposed Sylvester 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. Long-term access would facilitate future development activities in other parts of the existing ]ease area, and in potential future ]ease areas. Roadless Character -Approximately 3,010 acres of IRA would be affected by proposed road construction and use. Project reclamation would obliterate the majority of the road disturbance, reducing the area of IRA affected to approximately 674 acres. Socioeconomics -The longer project access route would increase project. Project activities would involve annual expenditures of appro.~imately $]0 to $20 million in 2002 through 2007 for road and drill pad constmction, drilling operations, methane drainage actinides, 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. ~.': \!T/~launidn Gd Ca/1.1/Unfi i/JhCFt L~SFY ~/5/l4 alx EIfNNJID]CI110(flJJfffDlell/