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• This action does not involve any extraordinary circumstances. Therefore, this action can <br />be categorically excluded from documentation nt an enviro~unental assessment or <br />environmental impact statement. <br />VII. FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS <br />Flood plains, wetlands, prime farm lands, threatened and endangered species, and <br />heritage resource concerns were considered in this action. These resources will not be <br />adversely affected. <br />VIII. DECISION AND REASON FOR DECISION <br />After reviewing the existing NEPA documentation, evaluating the issues raised, <br />considering character of this proposal, and given the imminent danger to the health and <br />safety to mine personnel, it is my decision to approve the proposed activities. This <br />decision is specifically for the following activities: <br />1. Reopening the closed drill road to West Flatiron Mesa to access drill sites 97-26-1 and <br />RAV-10, and use of the road for subsequent monitoring purposes. Reopening this road <br />will involve snow plowing and minor road maintenance. <br />2. Using the previous coal exploration drill hole locations 97-26-1 and RAV-10 for <br />installation and subsequent use of gob ventilation boreholes. Surface use on the drill <br />• locations is limited to the area disturbed previously during coal exploration drilling. No <br />additional tree/shrub removal will be allowed without prior approval of the District <br />Ranger or Forest Service field representative. <br />It must be noted that this decision only allows the proposed activities on these previously <br />used lands. No new road building or drill pad construction is authorized. Use of the <br />surface lands must comply with the stipulations found on the existing coal leases <br />(included as Attachments A). Ivly decision is further conditioned on the Conditions of <br />Approval included as Attachment B. These terms of approval are based on conditions <br />required of drilling operations on the National Forest, and other mitigation measures <br />deemed necessary for the protection of other resources. The leasing of COC-56447 <br />allows for additional conditions of approval to be developed at the time surface activities <br />are proposed. <br />MCC has attempted to use other means to adequately ventilate the methane gas from the <br />underground mine workings, including horizontal drill holes into the gob, and rerouting <br />airflows. According to MSHA, the mine has had limited success with these other <br />methods, and currently the best technology for ventilating methane from the workings is <br />by use of GVBs from the surface. <br />• <br />