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Alternatives <br />Chapter 2 <br />addressed with Alternative A, the No Action <br />Alternative, which would not lease the coal. <br />One comment suggested analyzing an alternative <br />that includes leaving some coal un-mined in order <br />to protect surface resources (roads, water resources, <br />wildlife habitat). This comment was used to help <br />develop Altemative C (No Subsidence of Deep <br />Creek). <br />One comment suggested evaluating an alternative <br />that does not impact, temporarily or otherwise, the <br />West Elk Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) or <br />undesignated roadless lands. Altemative A (No <br />Action) addresses this issue. <br />2.3.1.1 ]ssue or Coucern Used In the Effects <br />Analysis <br />In this section, issues have been broken into two <br />groups: issues related to effects of coal mine <br />subsidence and ongoing underground coal mining, <br />and issues related to potential post-leasing surface <br />disturbance. <br />A. Issues Related to Subsidence <br />The following lists issues [o be analyzed in the <br />FEIS related to the potential effects of underground <br />mining and mining-induced subsidence. <br />Topography, Geology and Soils <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on the <br />topographic surface, land stability and geologic <br />hazards, soils (including perennial stream erosive <br />soils), and other geologic resources. <br />Water Resources <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on the quality <br />and quantity of surface (including perennial <br />streams) and groundwater resources, springs, and <br />seeps. <br />Vegetation <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on vegetation <br />(including impacts to riparian and or wetland <br />vegetation and associated habitat) and potential for <br />invasion of noxious weeds. <br />Wildlife, and Threatened, Endangered and <br />Sensitive Species <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on wildlife and <br />wildlife habitats including threatened, endangered, <br />sensitive, and management indicator species. <br />Include in the analysis compliance with the <br />Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Golden Eagle Act. <br />Land Use and Recreation <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on existing land <br />uses, including recreation, livestock management, <br />water conveyance facilities and other Forest <br />Service-authorized special uses. <br />Roads, Trails and Roadless Character <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on, and evaluate <br />the structural soundness of, the existing Forest <br />Service road and trail network, and roadless <br />character. <br />Heritage Resources <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on cultural <br />resources in the lease tract area. <br />Visual Resources <br />Evaluate the effects of subsidence on visual <br />resources. <br />Air Quality <br />Evaluate the effects of continued underground <br />mining on air quality. <br />Social and Economics <br />Evaluate the social and economic effects of adding <br />additional coal reserves on mine life, employment, <br />local economy, environmental justice, and returns <br />to Federal government. <br />B. Issues Related to Potential Post-Lease Surface <br />Disturbance <br />The following lists public issues and concerns <br />related to potential surface uses that may occur <br />during the life of the lease. These potential post- <br />2-2 Dry Fork Lease-By-Application FEIS <br />