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Additional roadless character analysis was preformed on the portion of the IRA in which the West Flatiron lease . <br />i ract is located for the Coal Methane Drainage Project, Panels 16 to 24 (USDA-FS, 2002). This analysis found that <br />that the area continued to retain little roadless character, and would be difficult to manage as wilderness with the <br />existing coal lease obligations. <br />Approval of this federal coal lease application, based on the effects of the reasonably foreseeable mine plan (EA, <br />Section 2.9), with implementation of special Coal Lease Stipulations (Appendix A of this document), will not alter <br />the roadless character of tare IRA. This Decision is made understanding the current circumstances pertaining to IRA <br />management, and is consistent with the GMUG Forest Plan in this regard. Consent to leasing these lands for <br />underground coal mining will not alter the existing roadless character. <br />Benefits will also occur from implementation of my decision. An additional 2.3 million tons of coal will be made <br />available to supply energy needs of the country, and will provide some minor economic benefit to the surrounding <br />communities. Assuming that the coal lease is purchased and mined by MCC, the 2.3 million tons of coal will likely <br />ue ntined over the course of 3 years, based on the reasonably foreseeable mine plan (EA, Section 2.9). <br />Factors Other Than Environmental Effects Considered In Making The Decision <br />The purpose and need of this project is to consider leasing additional Federal coal lands to allow economic recovery <br />of federal coal reserves. My decision supports the Purpose and Need for [his project. <br />My decision fulfills the Federal Government's policy to foster and encourage mineral development (Mining and <br />Mineral Policy Act of 1970), the Federal Land and Management Policy Act (FLPMA), and complies with the <br />GMUG Forest Plan direction. <br />Alternative I - No Action (EA, Section 2.4.2) was not selected because it would not meet the Forest Plan direction <br />ro "encour'age environmentally sound energy and minerals development" (Forest Plan, page II-61). Additionally, <br />Alternative 1 would not meet the purpose and need for the project because it would not consider leasing federal coal • <br />reserves. <br />Identification of the Environmental Documeuts Considered in Making the Decision <br />This decision was made after cazefully considering the contents of the EA, public comments, agency response to <br />comments, and [he supporting project record. The GMUG Forest Plan was reviewed and this decision determined to <br />be consistent with it. The numerous other environmental documents (EA, Section 1.5) prepared for activities in the <br />area were also consulted. <br />How Considerations Were Weighed And Balanced In Arriving At The Decision <br />Che resource impact analyses presented in the EA (Chapter 3, and summarized in Table 2-1) show that potential <br />impacts to surface resources are very low. Granting consent to lease these lands adds about 577 acres of NFS lands <br />to the coal lease base in the North Fork Valley. There aze currently about 1Q, 800 acres of NFS lands under lease for <br />coal in the area- This additional acreage represents about 5% of the currently leased acreage. <br />I have also considered Executive Order 13212, which du'ects federal agencies to take steps [o increase the energy <br />supply to our nation. <br />Coal in the North Fork Valley is desirable because i[ is considered "compliance coal" under the Clean Air Act <br />emissions standards. The coal from the area is low sulfur, low ash, and has high burning capabilities. <br />Relationship fo Public Involvement <br />Public comments were sought tluoughout this project (refer to Section V of this document for a sununaryry of public <br />involvement, and Section 2.2 and Chapter 5 of the EA). <br />Page 4 • <br />