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December 1.2003 <br />Faye 3-1J <br />and black bear would not be affected. The proposed project would have no effect on populations or <br />population trends of Forest Service Management Indicator Species. <br />Alternative 2 - No Action <br />Under the no action alternative, the West Flatiron LBA tract would not be offered for lease. Wildlife <br />resources in the LBA tract would continue to be affected by activities associated with the coal methane <br />drainage wells which are located adjacent to the lease tract area. Wildlife habitats in the LBA tract would <br />also be subject to low levels of use in the form of recreation (hunting). <br />Cumulative Impacts: Wildlife and wildlife habitat has been affected by surface activities and construction <br />at the West Elk Mine, including roads and associated pads for coal methane drainage wells above the <br />mining area. Coal extraction from the LBA tract would not add to the cumulative effects to wildlife in the <br />region as no coal methane drainage wells are planned for installation on the surface of the lease tract and <br />no surface disturbance (other than subsidence) is expected from mining coal from the LBA tract. <br />3.6.3 Potential Lease Stipulations <br />1) Operation and maintenance of any facilities on the NFS and BLM lands in the LBA tract <br />associated with coal mining such as roads, waterlines, water tanks, powerlines, ventilation shafts, <br />ancillary buildings, and including monitoring activities, should be scheduled to minimize adverse <br />impacts on elk from December 1 to April 30. Unscheduled use may be allowed in emergency <br />situations with notice and coordination with the Forest Service and/or BLM. This mitigation <br />measure would be highly effective in reducing or eliminating impacts to elk during the <br />aforementioned time period. <br />2) Exploration, drilling and other development activity would not be allowed on the NFS and BLM <br />lands in the LBA tract during the period form December 1 to Apri130. In the event of an <br />emergency, surface use (including drilling) may be allowed with authorization from the Forest <br />Service. This mitigation measure would be highly effective in reducing or eliminating impacts to <br />elk during the aforementioned time period. <br />If surface disturbance other than subsidence is proposed, a new Biological Assessment and Biological <br />Evaluation shall be prepared. <br />3.7 Land Use <br />For land use, specifically livestock use and grazing, the project impact area is the West Flatiron LBA tract <br />area. The cumulative impact area includes the Oak Ridge, Jumbo Mountain, Lion's Mesa and Dry Fork <br />grazing allotments. <br />3.7.1 Existing Conditions <br />The LBA tract lies within the Dry Fork cattle allotment. Thls allotment Is managed using atime-controlled <br />rotation grazing strategy that included several Forest Service, BLM and private allotments (Oak Ridge, <br />Jumbo Mountain, Lion's Mesa and Dry Fork). Management practices involve systemically grazing <br />individual areas and moving livestock between areas. These practices control grazing intensity and <br />prevent over-grazing of any area, as well as allow forage to recover between annual grazing intervals. <br />Envirunmente) t+s=essmen't <br />West Flaiirt?,? ~B1a Tr d.a <br />GuMiSpll :;OUntp. t;olpr3dp <br />