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<br />rage 2-5
<br />analyzed given current reasonable expectations that the coal in the LBA tract would be extracted by
<br />MCC. If a successful lessee (besides Ark Land) decides that a separate mining operation should be
<br />completed, it would be necessary to undertake additional environmental analysis to determine the surface
<br />impacts, which would be different than the impacts if the coal is removed through the existing
<br />underground workings and surface facilities of the West Elk Mine. Further, the most likely scenario if
<br />another company obtained the West Flatiron LBA tract, would be that it would subcontract MCC to mine it
<br />from the existing mine, rather than build new facilities (BLM, 2003).
<br />2.5.3 Modify the Tract Boundary for Protection of Perennial Streams
<br />The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) considered modifying the LBA tract boundaries to exclude the portions
<br />of the tract underlying Raven Creek, a perennial stream (SW Y., SW Y., Section 12, and NW Y., NE'/.,
<br />Section 13). Given that the proposed B seam mine plan (see Section 2.9, Reasonably Foreseeable
<br />Development Scenario) for the tract does not project mining in this area, this alternative was not analyzed
<br />in detail. Existing data does not suggest that other coal seams are mineable in the LBA tract; however,
<br />MCC indicates a potential that another seam could be mined in the future.
<br />2.6 Comparison of the Alternatives Considered in Detail
<br />Table 2-1, Comparison of Alternatives, presents a summary of the potential impacts associated with the
<br />implementation of Alternatives 1 and 2. This table is not intended to be a complete discussion of impacts,
<br />but rather a summary of potential impacts. A detailed discussion of impacts associated with the proposed
<br />action and no action alternatives is presented in Chapter 3, Affected Environment and Environmental
<br />Consequences.
<br />2.7 Past, Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions
<br />A number of activities have, are, or would occur in this area surrounding the West Flatiron LBA tract.
<br />These activities primarily involve ongoing mining activities associated with the West Elk Mine, range
<br />management, and recreation activities. Table 2-2, Past, Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Future
<br />Actions, displays the past, present and reasonably foreseeable activities for the project area. This
<br />information is used in the cumulative impact discussions for each resource area.
<br />2.8 Application of Unsuitability Criteria far Coal Mining
<br />Per requirements in 43 CFR 3461, the Unsuitability Criteria for Coal Mining were applied to the West
<br />Flatiron Lease Tract. This report is included as Appendix A, Unsuitability Analysis Report -West Flatiron
<br />Lease (COC-67011). Each of the 20 criterion were applied to the lands on the lease tract, and the
<br />unsuitability analysis found that the tract was suitable for coal mining under criteria 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10,
<br />13, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. The tract was found unsuitable for mining under criteria 1, 9, 11, 12 and 14;
<br />however, with application of exceptions to the criteria, the tract was found suitable with restrictions. These
<br />restrictions are carried forward as potential lease stipulations in Chapter 3, Affected Environment and
<br />Environmental Consequences.
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