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Table of Contents <br />TABLE OF CONTENTS <br />Abstract <br />Summary <br />PAGE <br />S-1 <br />Introduction and Background ................................................................................................................... S-1 <br />Purpose of and Need for Action ................................................................................................................ S-1 <br />Alternative A: No Action ........................................................................................................................ S-2 <br />Alternative B: Proposed Action ............................................................................................................. S-2 <br />Alternative C: No Subsidence of Deep Creek ...................................................................................... S-5 <br />Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ............................................................ S-5 <br />Comparison of Alternatives ....................................................................................................................... S-6 <br />Meeting the Purpose and Need and Forest Plan Standards ................................................................ S-6 <br />Effects on Resource Issues ...................................................................................................................... S-7 <br />CHAPTER 1 Purpose and Need <br />1-1 <br />1.1 Introduction and Background ......................................................................................................... l-1 <br />1.2 Purpose of and Need for Action ....................................................................................................... 1-3 <br />1.3 Leasing Process, Authorizing Acts and Relevant Policies, Plans and Programs ........................ 1-3 <br />1.4 Conformance With Land Use Plans ................................................................................................ 1-5 <br />1.5 Relationship to Other Environmental Documents ......................................................................... 1-6 <br />1.6 Decision Framework ......................................................................................................................... 1-6 <br />1.7 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................................ 1-6 <br />1.8 Reasonably Foreseeable Mining Plan and Foreseeable Surface Use ............................................ 1-7 <br />1.8.1 Reasonably Foreseeable Mine Plan .............................................................................................. 1-7 <br />1.8.2 Reasonably Foreseeable Post-lease Surface Use ......................................................................... 1-8 <br />CHAPTER 2 Issues and Alternatives ........................................................................................................... 2-1 <br />2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 2-1 <br />2.2 Public Involvement ........................................................................................................................... 2-1 <br />2.3 Issues Identified and Formulation of Alternatives ......................................................................... 2-1 <br />2.3.1 Issues ............................................................................................................................................... 2-1 <br />2.4 Alternative A: No Action ................................................................................................................. 2-5 <br />2.5 Alternative B: Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 2-5 <br />2.5.1 Design Features of the Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 2-5 <br />2.6 Alternative C: No Subsidence of Deep Creek ................................................................................ 2-6 <br />2.7 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ..................................................... 2-6 <br />2.7.1 Capture and Flare Vented Methane Gas ..................................................................................... 2-6 <br />2.7.2 Energy Efficiency ........................................................................................................................... 2-6 <br />2.7.3 No Mining Under the Inventoried Roadless Area ...................................................................... 2-6 <br />2.7.4 Room and Pillar Mining (No Longwall Mining) of Dry Fork LBA Tract ................................ 2-7 <br />2.7.5 Accessing Coal in Dry Fork LBA Tract Through Separate Surface Facilities ........................ 2-7 <br />2.8 Comparison of Alternatives ............................................................................................................. 2-8 <br />2.8.1 Agency's Preferred Alternative .................................................................................................... 2-8 <br />CHAPTER 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences <br />3-1 <br />3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 3-1 <br />3.1.1 Short-term and Lang- term Effects .............................................................................................. 3-1 <br />3.1.2 Direct and Indirect Effects ............................................................................................................ 3-1 <br />3.1.3 Cumulative Effects ........................................................................................................................ 3-1 <br />3.2 Topography, Soils and Geology ....................................................................................................... 3-4 <br />3.2.1 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................................. 3-4 <br />3.2.2 Analysis Methods and Area .......................................................................................................... 3-5 <br />3.2.3 Affected Environment ................................................................................................................... 3-5 <br />Dry Fork Lease-ey-Application DEIS <br />