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Third Park Federal Coal Exploration License Environmental Assessment Surface reclamation would include dispersal of the remaining cuttings and removal of all trash and drilling debris. The drill site surface soil would be scarified by hand raking and sowed using seed mixtures and application rates approved by the BLM and Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS). Drilling would be expected to begin after the approval of the Coal Exploration License and other required permits. Drilling would likely require 2 months to complete, using a daylight drilling schedule of 10 days on and 4 days off. The purpose of this environmental assessment (EA) is to evaluate potential effects of the proposed exploration operations on the physical, biological, and socioeconomic environments and to present mitigation measures to be included as license stipulations, as needed. Drilling stipulations for this Proposed Action are presented in Appendix A of this document. No Action Alternative: Do not recommend authorization of the coal exploration license Rejecting the application would mean that no further knowledge concerning the coal resource would be obtained as presented under this Proposed Action. The quantity and quality of federal coal reserves in [he Project Area would remain unknown. The likelihood of a lease application would diminish, thereby reducing the potential for mining operations to generate revenue from royalties on federal coal and deplete coal reserves. This would also mean potential loss of current mining jobs and livelihood in the area. NEED FOR THE ACTION: Western Fuels Colorado, LLC submitted a Federal Coal Exploration License Application for exploration drilling pursuant to regulations in 43 CFR 3410 to the BLM. Such exploration is needed to verify the quality and quantity of coal in the Project Area. Exploration licenses can be granted fora 2-year period for the exploration of unleased federal coal. Pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, and to 43 CFR 3410, interested parties can participate with the original applicant in a program for the exploration of unleased federal coal. Any party electing to participate in an exploration license program must share all costs on a pro rata basis with the applicant and with any other party or parties who elect to participate. PLAN CONFORMANCE REVIEW: The Proposed Action is subject to and has been reviewed for conformance with the following plans (43 CFR 1610.5, BLM 1617.3): Name of Plan: San Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan Date Aooroved: December, 1984 Decision Number/Page: Minerals Management Direction, page 17, Record of Decision Decision Lan¢uaee: Within Management Area A for Livestock Management, allow mineral development in all areas not withdrawn from entry (page 27). STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC LAND HEALTH: In January 1997, Colorado BLM approved the Standards for Public Land Health. These standards cover upland soils, riparian systems, plant and animal communities, threatened and endangered species, and water quality. Standards describe conditions needed to sustain public land health and relate to all uses of the public lands. Because a standard exists for these five categories, a finding must be made for each of them in an environmental analysis. These findings are presented in the discussion of specific resource elements. Western Fuels CEL Envtronmenlal Assessmerc(