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Several Environmental Analyses have been conducted on the Ravens Gulch Exploration <br />Area which encompasses the proposed gob vent / de-gas pads. The most recent analysis <br />was completed in 1998 for 19 drill holes and associated temporary access roads. The <br />Decision Memo and Finding of No Significant Impact, Mountain Coal Company, <br />Proposed Coal Exploration License, as approved by Mr. Ray L. Kingston, Paonia District <br />Ranger (4-13-98), stated "The proposed action will not adversely affect an endangered or <br />threatened species or its critical habitat." The proposed activity of this project is nearly <br />identical to the approved activity on the Ravens Gulch Exploration License. <br />The proposed borehole drilling is anticipated to occur in the late fall 2001 and avoid <br />riparian habitats to the extent possible. Operations will be located such as not to interfere <br />with raptor nesting sites, and managed to minimize conflicts with the deer and elk on <br />winter range and user conflict during big game hunting seasons. <br />LAND USE <br />The present land use of the proposed gob vent / de-gas pads and drilling areas consist of <br />domestic grazing, wildlife habitat, watershed, recreational lands, and big game hunting. <br />No agricultural areas exist within the area. <br />Coal mining has a long history in the North Fork Valley. Mountain Coal Company has <br />operated [he West Elk Mine as a viable mine since 1981 with an underground longwall in <br />operation since 1992. Currently there are three mines in the North Fork Valley, the <br />Sanborn Creek Mine operated by Oxbow Mining, Inc. and the Bowie No. 1 and No. 2 <br />Mines operated by Bowie Resources Limited and the West Elk Mine. Other mines that <br />have existed in the valley include Bear Mine Nos. 1, 2, and 3; Oliver Mine Nos. 1 and 2; <br />Hawks Nest Mine, the Somerset Mine, and the Edwards Mine. <br />CULTURAL RESOURCES <br />Class III cultural inventories were conducted for these boreholes and are attached as part <br />of the submittal. The results of the surveys were negative and were submitted to the <br />USFS. Cultural inventories have been conducted on the adjoining Ravens Gulch <br />Exploration Area (COC-60622; expired). The list of studies includes six Class III surveys <br />and two Class II surveys (Metcalf Archeological Consultants, Inc., 1987, 1989, 1993, <br />7/94, 8/94, 11/94, 1996, 1997); (Archeological Environmental Research Corp., 1990). <br />The surveys were completed under the Federal Exploration License nos. COC-51751, <br />COC-5381, COCO-53793, COC-58219, COC-60622, and those described in the 1996 <br />revision of the West Elk Mine, CDMG Permit No.C-80-007. No cultural resources were <br />identified in those investigations. Attached are the cultural resource reports titled, <br />Mountain Coal Company's West Elk Mine Gob VenUDe-gas Boreholes Class III Cultural <br />Resource Inventory T13S, R90W, Sections 23, 26, 27, 34, and 35 Gunnison County, <br />Colorado, June 2001, and Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine, Block Cultural <br />