GENERAL53904

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 4/6/2000
• Doc Name: RECORD OF DECISION Elk Creek Lease Tract COC 61357
• Permit Index Doc Type: GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

March 2000 Record of Decision Page 22
VIII. CONSISTENCY WITH AGENCY POLICY
The proposed actions are in compliance with the existing BLM land use plan. The
Uncompahgre Basin Resource Management Plan (RMP) was completed, and approved in July
of 1989. This RMP determined that the areas subject to the lease applications and exploration
license applications were to be managed for both existing and potential coal development. The
area is acceptable for coal development and coal production, and such coal activities could
occur without conflicting with other land uses as described in the RMP. w„
Upon receipt of the lease applications, BLM completed tract delineation. The assessment of
coal unsuitability criteria has been completed for both the proposed Iron Point Coal Lease Tract
(COC-61209) and the Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract (COC-61357). The criteria has also been
reviewed for implications with the other alternatives in this analysis. The unsuitability criteria
published in 43 CFR 3461 were used. These coal unsuitability analysis reports are included in
this EIS document as Appendix C, Unsuitability Analysis Report -Iron Point Tract (COC-
61209), and Appendix D, Unsuitability Analysis Report -Elk Creek Tract (COC-61357). In
addition, data adequacy standards were reviewed and determined to be adequate.
The land use plan was amended to address the standards for land health (i.e., Standards and
Guidelines). The land analyzed in the EIS project area is within the North Fork landscape unit.
This unit has not been assessed for landscape health under the BLM's Standards and
Guidelines procedures and little information on land health is available. A landscape health
assessment is scheduled for the summer of 2000. Briefly, Colorado BLM's Standards are:
• Ensure health of upland soils;
• Protect and improve riparian systems;
• Maintain healthy, productive plant and animal communities;
• Maintain or increase populations of threatened and endangered species in suitable habitat;
and,
• Ensure water quality meets minimum Colorado standards.
The proposed action deals primarily with underground mining. Only minor surface disturbing
activities would occur on BLM managed lands. Consequently, there is little potential for actions
to have a significant effect (positive or negative) to the landscape as a whole. There would be
local effects where surface disturbing activities occur. For example, there would be increased
potential for soil erosion and influx of weeds. It is assumed mitigation would avoid or lessen the
impact. When the land health assessment is completed, BLM will determine if the land health
standards are being met. If they are not being met, the causative factors will be determined
and options for improvement formulated. If any permitted activities are found to affect land
health, then modifications to operations as authorized by BLM will occur.

BLM -Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract