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Alternatives Chapter 2 unconsolidated deposits on the northern flank of Mount Lamborn. This source is about 10 miles west of the proposed lease area. There is no potential for the proposal to affect this source. The Colorado Dept. of Health lists MCC as a domestic water supplier. MCC draws water from the North Fork of the Gunnison River for use at the mine site for the bath house and consumptive uses. There is a domestic water processing facility at the mine site. The withdrawal location is bcated over 3 miles from the Dry Fork LBA, and is outside the cumulative analysis area. No other permitted domestic water sources are known to occur in the Dry Fork LBA area. Consider effects to wintering bald eagles. The Coal Unsuitability Report (Appendix A) includes criterion for suitability of the proposed tract with respect to bald eagles. In that analysis, it states, "Bald eagles winter in an area north the Dry Fork lease tract along the North Fork of the Gunnison River that is classified as a winter concentration area by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). The Dry Fork tract may be used for incidental foraging, but there are no other essential habitats, such as nests or communal roosts located on or near the proposed lease tract (BLM 1980, CDOW 2001)." Therefore, specific impacts to wintering bald eagles will not be addressed. Analyze impacts to the West Elk Wilderness Area. The West Elk Wilderness Area lies from one to three miles south and southeast of the proposed lease tract. Wilderness areas are withdrawn from mineral entry and are unsuitable for coal mining under the Unsuitability Criteria for Coal Mining (see Appendix A). Therefore, there will be no effects to the West Elk Wilderness. Analyze impacts to the Sunset Trail roadless area. An area locally referred to as the "Sunset TraiP' area lies immediately south of the proposed lease tract, but there is no "Sunset Trail Aoadless area." The lands referred to as the Sunset Trail area are part of the West Elk IRA. Effects to the West Elk IRA are included in the effects analysis. Analyze impacts to wildlife from noise and light. No new mine portals or surface handling facilities are anticipated for developing the Dry Fork lease rtact (see Section 1.8.1). Existing facilities on private land about three miles north of the Dry Fork tract would be used. Noise and lights associated with the existing facilities would continue to affect wildlife present in the area. MCC reports that deer and elk are commonly seen on the mine property and have apparently adjusted to the facilities. Discuss impacts to hunting/guiding outfitters and economy. There are no outfitter guides currently permitted in the Dry Fork LBA area or immediate surroundings. Do not restrict motorized recreational travel within the project area. This issue is outside the scope of the coal leasing analysis, and the decision framework. On the GMUG National Forests, motorized recreation is permitted on existing routes only. The 2001 travel management decision prohibited cross-country travel with motorized vehicles. Protect the Sunset Trail area, specifically wildlife habitat values, roadless character, and recreation opportunities. The Proposed Action does not include any activities in the Sunset Trail area. Reasonably foreseeable future actions considered in the cumulative effects analysis include potential future activity in the Sunset Trail area. MCC has an agreement with the Wilderness Society, Colorado Wild, Center for Native Ecosystems, American Lands Alliance, and the Wildland Center for Preventing Roads to not propose any activities in the Sunset Trail area for 5 years commencing in July 2002 or until the GMUG Forest Plan is revised, whichever comes first. 2-4 Dry Fork Lease-By-Application DEIS