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

corrected version of the NOA on April 8, 2005. The availability of the EIS was also published in
[he Delta Counry Independent -North Fork Times on March 30, 2005. A legal notice appeared
in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on April 3, 2005 that announced the availability of the
Draft EIS for review and comment, and included the date of the NOA appearance in the Federal
Register. The comment period ended on May 16, 2005. Public comments were also taken
during the BLM's Public Hearing on April 27, 2005.
The GMUG received comments from five (5) parties on the Draft EIS. Copies of the comment
letters, and comments received during the BLM's Public Hearing, along with the agency
responses to comments are included in Chapter 8 of the Final EIS.
D. Findings Required by Other Laws and Regulations
To the best of my knowledge, this decision complies with all applicable laws and regulations. In
the following, I have summarized the association of my decision to some pertinent legal
requirements.
Executive Order 13212 of May 18, 2001. This Order called the federal agencies to expedite their
review of permits for energy-related projects while maintaining safety, public health, and
environmental protections. My decision is consistent with this Order.
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976: This Act allows the granting of land use
permits on National Forest System lands. The regulations at Code of Federal Regulations Title
36 Part 251 (36 CFR 251) guides the issuance of permits under this Act. Land use permits are
granted on National Forest System lands when the need for such is consistent with planned uses.
National Forest Management Act of 1976: The GMUG Forest Plan was approved in 1983 and
amended in 1991, as required by this Act. This long-range land and resource management plan
provides guidance for all resource management activities in the Forest. The National Forest
Management Act requires all projects and activities to be consistent with the Forest Plan.
This decision to consent to the BLM offering the NFS lands in the Dry Fork LBA tract in
accordance with the stipulations listed in Appendix A, is consistent with the intent of the GMUG
Forest Plan's long term goals and objectives listed in Section 1.4 of the EIS. The project was
designed in conformance with Forest Plan standazds and incorporates appropriate Forest Plan
guidelines for minerals management, big game winter range, livestock grazing and riparian area
management (Forest Plan, pages III-63 to 69).
Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970. This Act declared it would be the continuing policy of
the Federal government and in the national interest [o foster and encourage private enterprise in
the development of economically sound and stable domestic mining industries, and the orderly
and economic development of domestic mineral resources (EIS, Section 1.3). This decision is
consistent with this Act.
Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as Amended by the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of
1975. These Acts authorize the federal agencies to lease coal reserves (EIS, Section 1.3), and
prescribe conditions for protection of non-coal resources. It requires the BLM to secure consent
from the surface management agency prior to leasing federal coal lands. This decision is