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• 3. The thermal event drilling was located on steep, north-facing slopes that were considered by the District Ranger to have low potential for archaeological sites. Subsequent evaluation by [he Forest Archaeologist.showed that surveys had been done in the azea for the purposes of exploration drilling. The surveys showed that no sites had been identified, and confirmed that the potential for heritage sites was low (Crum, 2000). 4. MCC employs about 350 people, primarily from the local azea. Annual production is about 7 million tons of coal per year. Numerous local businesses provide support services for the West Elk Mine and other mines in the azea. A noticeable impact to the local economy would occur if the mine were not able to remedy the thermal event and be caused to cease operations. 5. MCC was informed that the Forest Service gave authorization under the conditions that MCC would 6e required to restore any disturbed lands to original use, and that MCC would be responsible for obliterating any new access constructed during the project and for any work - needed on existing roads. The Forest Service informed MCC of these and other requirements in . letters dated February 17, 2000 and Mazch 27, 2000. The thermal event drilling was considered an emergency action. Under CEQ regulations, proceeding on actions considered emergencies usually requires consultation with CEQ. However, FSM 1909.15.08-1, states that this direction is applicable in the instance of emergency actions with significant environmental imnact. No extraordinary circumstances existed at the project site that would have caused significant effects. Therefore, there is no direction that would • have applied to this situation in tetras of protocol and sequence of environmental analysis needing to be followed. V. OTHER AGENCY/PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Throughout the thermal event drilling project, close communication with MCC was maintained and documented in the project file. Communication was also maintained with other involved Federa] and State agencies including the BLM, Uncompahgre Field Office, CDMG and the Office of Surface Mining. The general public was informed of the thermal event through news releases submitted by MCC to the local newspaper, The North Fork Times. The Forest Service received one phone call from the Western Slope Environmental Resource Council, who expressed their concerns regarding any new roads in the area, and the need to reclaim and obliterate them. The District Range. Management Specialist undertook keeping the allotment permittees in the area informed of the project. One issue that came forth was public safety because of high heary equipment use on the roads being used by MCC. The Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek Road is under a seasonal closure [hat is in effect from about November 15 to May 30. Tlie road is closed during these periods to full sized vehicles, but open to ATVs. The Forest Service elected to place a temporary closure order • on the road restricting all public access from April 1 to May 31. News of this closure was published in the North Fork Times. MCC was required to post signs and have a gate keeper present at the closure location.