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Chapter II Description of the Alternatives A. Alternatives Under Analysis Alternative 1: Approval of the Proposed Mining Plan Modification with a Special Federal Condition. Under this alternative, the Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, would approve the proposed mining plan modification for Federal lease C-067 subject to the following condition: Within 60 days after mining plan approval, Wyoming Fuel Company shall submit to Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division riders to the bonds and amend the letter of credit to add the following provision: "If the Colorado State-Federal Cooperative Agreement (30 CFR 906.30) is terminated, the bond will revert to being payable only to the United States Office of Surface Mining Reclamation • and Enforcement (OSM) and the phrases "Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division" and "NERD" shall be interpreted to mean OSM to the extent that Federal lands are involved." WFC proposed in the PAP to expand underground mining operations at the Golden Eaqle mine in Federal lease C-067 and non- Federal lands. Approximately 922 acres of leased Federal coal will be added to the current 40-acre mining plan approval area. The permit revision area associated with the proposed mining plan modification area contains approximately 5,674 acres to be added to the Colorado permit C-81-013 permit area. The mining plan modification proposes that the longwall method of mining will be the sole means of extraction from the Maxwell coal seam. Surface disturbance not resulting from subsidence will not increase from the 44 acres already in use. 2. Alternative 2: Disapproval of the Proposed Mining Plan Modification ("No Action" Alternative). Under this alternative the Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, would disapprove the proposed mining plan modification described in Alternative Number 1. If disapproved, most of Federal lease C-067 would not be mined.