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OSM's independent review Mazch 14, 2000, of the effects of the proposed action • on threatened and endangered species indicates that no adverse effects will occur to any threatened or endangered species as a result of the proposed action. This determination is based upon conversations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regazding the effects of the proposed action and previous Section 7 consultations for the mine. OSM concurs with the State Historic Preservation Officer's (SHPO) assessment and recommendations for protection of cultural resources, as stated in the SHPO concurrence letter dated Mazch 18, 1998. The USFS concurred with the proposed mining plan action in a letter dated January 6, 2000. I have determined that the mining plan does not include any lands within an azea designated as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations under section 522(b) of SMCItA. The mining plan modification azea is located on Federal lands west of the 100th meridian within the boundaries of the Gunnison National Forest. However, the Secretary of Agriculture finds that these lands do not have significant forest cover and that this underground coal mining operation complies with the Multiple-Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. §§ 528-531), the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 • (Pub. L. 94-377, 30 U.S.C. 201 et sec .), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2949), and the provisions of SMCRA. Based on OSM's analysis and on the concurrence of the USDA Forest Service in its letter dated January 6, 2000, the West Elk Mine will not be incompatible with significant recreational, timber, economic, or other values of the Gunnison National Forest. I have determined that approval of this mining plan modification will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The environmental analysis prepazed by BLM and OSM for the Coal Lease Application COC-56447 -- Environmental Analysis U-94-37 and other environmental documents noted in the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), describe the impacts that may result from approval of this mining plan action and its alternatives. The FONSI and supporting environmental analyses aze included in this decision document. OSM's review of the proposed action did not identify any issues that required resolution via the addition of special stipulations to the mining plan approval. Publication of four consecutive weekly newspaper notices in the Delta County Independent notified the public of the availability of the administratively complete PAP for review. The last publication date was April 15, 1998. •