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Decision Record/Rationale <br /> Coal Lease Application COC-54558 <br /> • Environmental Analysis U-93-24 <br /> Decision: The recommendation is to offer for competitive lease 1011.64 <br /> acres identified in the Jumbo Mountain Coal Tract as a result of the <br /> Mountain Coal Company coal lease application (COC-54558) subject to the <br /> mitigating measures listed below. <br /> Relationship of the Decision to the Environmental Analysis (EA) : Two <br /> alternatives were discussed in the EA. Alternative 1 considered leasing <br /> the coal in the Jumbo Mountain Tract and Alternative 2 was to not lease the <br /> coal. The decision is to implement Alternative 1 by offering the <br /> application area for competitive lease. <br /> Rationale for Decision: The decision to allow the proposed action does not <br /> result in any undue or unnecessary environmental degradation and is <br /> consistent with the objectives of the Uncompahgre Basin RMP, approved in <br /> July, 1989. <br /> The mitigating measures will help ensure that environmental impacts <br /> addressed in the EA will be kept within acceptable limits. <br /> Other Factors Considered in the Decision: <br /> A. The Uinta Southwest Utah Coal Region is currently operating in a lease <br /> by application mode by decision of the Director of the Bureau of Land <br /> • Management. This coal lease application was processed using the <br /> procedures approved by Regional Coal Team for the Uinta Southwest Utah <br /> Coal Region. <br /> B. In accordance with established policies of the Department of the <br /> Interior, the adequacy of the available data was reviewed prior to <br /> initiating the EA for the lease application and found to be complete. <br /> C. One person testified at the public hearing in Paonia on August 16, <br /> 1993 . She supported leasing the tract. Two comments were received. <br /> One giving additional information on water sources on the application <br /> area. The other comment was received from the surface landowner. <br /> They felt they were not notified of the public hearing and were <br /> concerned about water resources on their surface. They wanted <br /> Mountain Coal Company to protect ponds and other springs on the <br /> application area should the water sources be damaged by coal mining. <br /> The mitigation measures provide that all adjudicated water rights will <br /> be protected. The public hearing testimony and the surface owner <br /> comment with the response are attached. <br /> Mitigating Measures: <br /> The following Mitigation Measures will be included as lease stipulations: <br /> . Because the presence of Grand Mesa Penstemon has been documented in <br /> elevations above 7300 feet, a Threatened and Endangered plant survey <br /> will be required prior to any surface disturbance. <br />