GENERAL50821

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 3/19/2007
• Doc Name: Draft EIS Deer Creek Shaft/E-Seam MDWs
• From: Forest Service
• To: DRMS
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

CHAPTER 2
ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION
Introduction
This chapter describes and compares the
alternatives considered for the Deer Creek
Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells
Projects. It includes a description and map of
each alternative considered. This section also
presents the alternatives in comparative form,
sharply defining the differences between each
alternative and providing a clear basis for
choice among options by the decision maker
and the public.
through the ventilation system would likely
cause underground coal mining operations in
the E seam to slow significantly or diminish
entirely over time. This could result in a
reduced capacity for MCC to meet its coal
contractual obligations, create unsafe working
conditions, and render the coal reserves
uneconomical to recover. Further, there would
be a decreased ability to recover currently
leased federal coal reserves.
Alternative 2-The Proposed Action
Alternatives Considered in Detail
In addition to the No Action Alternative
(Alternative 1) and the Proposed Action
(Alternative 2), the Forest Service considered
several alternatives in response to issues raised
by the interdisciplinary team, national policy
changes, and input from other agencies,
associations, and the public, however only the
No Action and Proposed Action were carried
for detailed analysis.
Alternative 1 - No Action
Under the No Action alternative, current
management plans, existing approvals related
to coal mining, and non-coal related activities
would continue to occur or guide management
of the project area. Figure 2 displays activities
that would continue under No Action. The
proposed E Seam methane drainage well
project and shaft construction would not be
approved. Mining-related surface disturbance
would not occur, or would be limited to surface
resource monitoring activities such as
monitoring wells, surface water monitoring
stations, subsidence and related effects, etc.
Surface activities related to development of the
E Seam methane drainage within the West Elk
IRA would not occur. Methane generated
during mining operations would be handled
through the existing mine ventilation system.
The ineffectiveness of handling methane solely
The Forest Service proposes to authorize MCC
to conduct surface operations associated with
accessing, drilling, constructing, operating, and
reclaiming 168 MDWs on 137 drilling
locations, and one ventilation/escapeway shaft,
and associated road construction or
reconstruction. Aportion of these activities is
proposed in the West Elk IRA. Operations
related to these authorizations are expected to
begin summer 2007 and continue for about 12
years (Figure 3). Five of the drilling locations
would also serve as staging areas. An
additional six staging areas maybe used, two of
are currently reclaimed areas.
The proposed action includes granting relief
from the lease stipulation on federal coal lease
C-1362 that restricts activities between
December 1 and April 30 for the protection of
big game winter range to facilitate construction
of the Deer Creek shaft.
The Forest Service would issue a SUA for
these uses of NFS lands. The SUA would be
consistent with the terms of the federal coal
leases on which operations are proposed, and
would include conditions identified in the
environmental analysis and final Forest Service
decision on the project.
Development of the Proposed Action
The proposed action was developed through
several coordination meetings between the
Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells DEIS l3