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Scooing and Public Involvement <br />The proposed project underwent public scoping, initiated through a public notice <br />requesting scoping comments in the Delta County Independent on August 24, 2005. A <br />scoping letter requesting scoping comments was also sent to a list of interested parties <br />(see project file). The 30-day scoping period ended with the GMUG receiving scoping <br />letter from two groups. <br />Decision <br />I have decided to allow MCC to construct a light use road and pad, and subsequently <br />drill one continuous-core borehole to an approximate depth of 400' and drill a maximum <br />of 5 geotechnical "open-augered" soil boreholes. The location of the light use road and <br />pad will be consistent with Upper Pad Alternative (see attached map). I have chosen <br />this alternative due to the fact it provides more vegetation screening to NFSR 711, which <br />will increase the security of the site as well as provide a better visual buffer than the <br />alternative. This decision is conditioned on the use and implementation of the attached <br />Conditions of Surtace Use in Appendix A, as well as the stipulations on Federal Coal <br />Lease COC-1362, Appendix B of this document. I base my decision on my evaluation of <br />the issues raised during public scoping and interdisciplinary review, as well as the <br />overall character of the proposal. The attached Conditions of Surface Use are designed <br />to ensure protection of water, air, soil, wildlife, and other resources and uses, and to <br />ensure reclamation of disturbed lands to Forest Service specifications. <br />I have determined that the proposed project and any activities conducted in compliance <br />with the USDA-FS conditions will not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect <br />on the human environment. I have based by conclusion on information presented in this <br />document and the entirety of the Project Record. <br />The determination that this project is categorically excluded from documentation in an <br />environmental impact statement or environmental assessment is based on the fact the <br />proposal is related to a "short-term (one year or less) mineral, energy, or geophysical <br />investigation and its incidental support activity that may require cross-country travel by <br />vehicles and equipment, construction of less than one mile of low-standard road, [o]r use <br />and minor repair of existing roads" (Ref. FSH 1909.15 Environmental Policy and <br />Procedures Handbook, Chapter 30 Categorical Exclusions from Documentation, Sec. <br />31.2 Categories of Actions for Which a Project or Case File and Decision Memo are <br />Required, No. 8 Short-term (one year or less) minerals, energy, or geophysical <br />investigations...]. <br />Extraordinary Circumstances <br />Following the direction at FSH 1909.15, Ch. 30, Sec. 30.3, I considered the following <br />resource conditions in making my determination that there are no extraordinary <br />circumstances associated with the proposed geotechnical boreholes. <br />Federally lisfed fhreatened and endangered species or designated critical habifat, <br />species proposed for federal listing or proposed critical habifat, Forest Service sensitive <br />species, and Management Indicator Species (MIS). <br />Threatened, Proposed, Candidate and/or Forest Sensitive Species -Effects <br />Use of the Colorado Lynx Project Decision Screens (June 2004 and the GMUG <br />Lynx Habitat Map (Feb 2006) has determined that the project is within the Mt. <br />Gunnison LAU. The vegetation in the area consists of scattered aspen trees, <br />with an understory of Gambel oak, chokecherry, snowberry, and shrubs. <br />