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March 2000 Record o1 Decision Paae 6 <br />provide healthy, self-perpetuating plant communities and provide habitats for viable populations <br />of wildlife and fish. Mineral activities may occur, but such activities must minimize disturbance <br />to the riparian area. The bulk of riparian areas are associated with stream corridors in the lease <br />tract area (Final EIS, Section 3.8.2.3 and Figures 12 and C/D 1 of the Draft EIS). This <br />decision incorporates specific mitigation that precludes subsidence under the perennial <br />drainages, and hence the associated riparian habitat, and therefore responds to the direction <br />for riparian unit management. <br />The Forest Plan also subjects coal leasing to the application of Unsuitability Criteria as defined <br />in 43 CFR 3461 (Final EIS, Section 1.6.2). The Unsuitability Criteria were applied to the Elk <br />Creek Coal Lease Tract and the results are given in Appendix D of the Final EIS. After applying <br />the criteria and including exemptions and exceptions, it was found that the tract was suitable for <br />coal mining (Final EIS, Appendix D, page D-11). The decision is consistent with application of <br />the unsuitability criteria. <br />Relationship To The Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda. When making this decision, the <br />Forest Service's recent "natural resource agenda" was considered. The agenda states that the <br />first priority of the Forest Service is to maintain and restore the health of ecosystems and <br />watersheds. The agenda also gives watershed protection and ecological restoration the <br />highest priority in the decision making process. The decision to protect the perennial stream <br />watersheds and riparian ecosystems in the Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract is in concert with the <br />principles of the natural resource agenda. <br />Relationship to Purpose and Need. The decision responds to the need to consider leasing <br />additional Federal coal lands and the need to allow coal resource development under applicable <br />federal laws (Final EIS, Section 1.3). The decision also determines the conditions under which <br />coal resources may be recovered in order to protect non-coal resources. The decision also <br />responds to the need for the applicant (Oxbow Mining, Inc.) to access additional reserves for <br />the purposes of remaining competitive in the coal market and maintain existing contracts, and <br />to continue contributing to the local economy. Further, this decision responds to the need for <br />clean "compliance" coal for use in the electrical power generation industry to meet objectives of <br />the Clean Air Act. <br />Forest Service -Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract <br />