GENERAL47522

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 3/16/2006
• Doc Name: Final EIS & Record of Decision for the Dry Fork Lease
• From: US Forest Service
• To: DMG
• Permit Index Doc Type: Other Permits
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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