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March 2000 Record of Decision Page 23 <br />IX. ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE <br />The Council on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR 1508.2(b) require an agency to <br />specify the alternative or alternatives which were considered to be the alternatively preferable in <br />the process of reaching its decision. The definition of environmentally preferable is the <br />alternative which causes the least damage to the physical and biological environment, and <br />which best protects, preserves, and enhances historic, cultural, and natural resources. <br />Alternative A, the No-Action Alternative, best meets this definition. Alternative A would result in <br />no mining or exploration activities under the existing NEPA document. No additional <br />disturbance would take place. Alternative A was not selected, because it would not meet the <br />purpose and need for the project. <br />Alternative D is the most environmentally preferable of the action alternatives for coal leasing. <br />This alternative would allow for special subsidence protection under Terror Creek, Hubbard <br />Creek, and the Curecanti-Rifle 230/345 kV electric transmission line. <br />BLM -Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract <br />