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United States Forest Paonia P.O. Boa 1030 <br />USDA Department of Serv;ee Ranger District N Rio Grande Ave. <br />Agriculture PHONE NO. 970-527-4131 Paonia, CO 81428 <br />FAX 970-527-4151 <br />File Code: 2$20-4 <br />Date: May 5, 2006 <br />Phil Schmidt <br />Mountain Coal Company <br />PO Box 591 <br />Somerset CO, 81434 <br />Dear Phil, <br />The Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forests', Paonia Ranger District, has <br />completed its environmental analysis for Mountain Coal Company's proposal to construct and <br />drill several geotechnical boreholes on National Forest System Lands. Attached is a Decision <br />Memo documenting the approval. <br />You are receiving this documentation because you expressed an interest in the project in <br />September 2005. Originally MCC's proposal, which included the geotechnical boreholes, also <br />included the construction of a ventilation shaft and emergency escape shaft for the West Elk <br />Mine (operated by MCC). Because the feasibility of constructing the shaft in the proposed area <br />is under question, MCC decided to modify their proposal in Apri12006 to only include the <br />geotechnicalboreholes. <br />If the investigation shows that the local geology can support the shafts, and because the shaft will <br />be connected to the future expansion of the West Elk Mine, it will be included in an <br />environmental analysis which will incorporate all foreseeable aspects of the future mine <br />expansion. This analysis is expected to be initiated later this year. <br />If you have any additional comments or questions, please contact Ryan Taylor of my minerals <br />staff at 970-527-4131, or via email rztavlor(a~fs.fed.us . <br />Sincerely, <br />~~~j~ <br />LEVI K. BROYLES <br />District Ranger <br />Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed a. r~ydea Paag ~~ <br />