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IV. SUMMARY OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED Three altematives were considered as part of this project {EA, Section 2.D, pp. 9-10). Two additional alternatives were considered, but were not analyzed in detail (EA, Section 2.E). A summary of the three altematives considered in detail follows. Alternative 1: No Action. Analysis of the No Action altemative is required by CEQ Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations Part 1502.14(d). Under the no action alternative, the GVB drilling proposal would not be approved, and no drilling would occur in these specific aeeas. Impacts from drilling and road reopening or constmction would not occur in the project azea, and the effects from on-going land uses would continue. The land would continue to be managed according to Forest Plan standards, goals and guidelines. Alternative 2: Approve GVB Drilling and Road Access Needs with Road Access on FR 711 to Abandoned Drill Road and One Mile of New Temporary Road Constmction . This action alternative considered drilling and installing the five GVB, constructing about one mile of new temporary road in the project area corridor, and reopening the abandoned drill access road to reclaimed locations SOM-53 and 54. This altemative assumed that the new temporary road alignment would follow the bottom of Long Draw. This alternative assumed that the project azea corridor would be accessed via FR 711 (Dry Fork Road), to where the abandoned drilling access road (to reclaimed locations of drill holes SOM-53 and 54) leaves FR 71 I to the north. This altemative assumed that the exception to the Big Game Winter Range timing limitation would be granted. Surface use in the project area is subject to the stipulations currently in effect on federal coal lease COC-56447 (see Appendix A of the EA). This altemative also assumed that an exception to the No Surface Occupancy (NSO) stipulation for riparian aeeas would have been needed for placement of the new temporary access road along the bottom of Long Draw. This altemative also assumed application of potential conditions of approval given in Appendix B of the EA. Alternative 3: Approve GVB Drilling with Road Access from Currently Used West Flatiron Road and Place the One Mile of New TemQorary Road Constmction on North Hillslone. This action alternative considered drilling the GVBs, and constructing the about one mile of new temporary road in the project area corridor, assuming that the new temporary road and drill pads would be placed on the north hillside of Long Draw. This altemative assumes that the project area corridor would be accessed off the existing West Flatiron drill access road (currently used for access to other GVB locations): Tfris altemative assumed that the exception to the Big Game Winter Range timing limitation would be granted. Surface use in the project area is subject to the stipulations currently in effect on federal coal ]ease COC-56447 (see Appendix A of the EA). This altemative also assumed that an exception to the No Surface Occupancy (NSO) stipulation for riparian areas may have been needed for potential road crossings through the riparian area in Long Draw. This altemative also assumed application of potential conditions of approval given in Appendix B of the EA.