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Coal A9ethaie Drainage Pmjen - Panek 76-24 11%ert Elk Mrne • Aage 4 Alternative 3 -Minnesota Creek/Horse Gulch Access Alternative 3 includes construction of 54 drill pads, 70 MDWs and 70 exploration drillho]es. Project area access would be from the existing Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access for the duration of the project. The proposed Sylvester Gulch access route would not be constructed. Temporary roads would be constructed and exist for nvo to four years. No new classified roads would be constructed. Alternative 3 would require exceptions to the high geologic hazard; steep slope; wetland, floodp]ain, and riparian ]ease stipulations. On completion of all project activities, new dismrbance would be reclaimed. \X/ith the exception of the Dinnesota Creek, Dry Fork, and Horse Gulch roads, public motorized vehicle use would not be allowed on roads within the project area at any time of the year. Geology, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Riparian Resources -Alternative 3 results in approximately 63 acres of surface disturbance from construction activities, and 97 acres of disturbance when the roads and drill pads are decommissioned b}' 2007. Approximate 0.2 acres of high geologic hazard area, ].3 acres of steep slope area, and 5.4 acres of WIZ area would be affected. Alternative 3 requires exceptions from lease stipulations for these areas. Approximate]}' 14.3 acres of moderate slope area are affected, urhich would require special mitigation measures, but would not require an exception to lease stipulations. Temporarn surface mnoff and sediment effects in the Minnesota Creek watershed would increase due to traffic using this access. Roads would not be constructed in Sylvester Gulch and on a portion of the Long Dxaw Saddle Road, therefore resources in these areas would not be affected in Alternative 3. Surface water and riparian effects would end after 2002 when all temporary roads would be obliterated. Wildlife -Habitat capability/effectiveness for elk would decline to 33 percent during operations and increase to 48 percent after roads and drill pads are obliterated b}' 2007. Wildlife habitat in Sylvester Gulch would not be affected in Alternative 3. The duration of effects would be limited and Habitat Capability/Effectiveness enhancement would occur in 2007 when all temporary roads would be obliterated. Livestock and Grazing -Disturbance would result in temporary loss of approximately 38 AUMs per year of grazing capacity. The majority of project access traffic would use the Minnesota Creek, Horse Gulch, and West Flatirons Roads. Project traffic on the southern portion of the West Flatiron Road would increase the potential for effects on range improvements, since man}' of the existing improvements are in this area. Air Quality -Project access traffic would travel 77.5 miles on public and Forest Sen'ice roads before reaching the project area. The increased access distance under Alternative 3 would potentially offset any site-specific reduction in air emissions resulting from not constructing and using the Sylvester Gulch access route and could result in greater overall emissions. Access and Recreation -Use of dte Dinnesota Creek/Dr,' Fork access route would result in continuing traffic and other concerns along this route, including impacts for the portion of this route that mns through the Town of Paonia. Roadless Character - Approximately 3,070 acres of IRA would be affected by proposed road/construction and use. Project reclamation would reduce IRA effects to 0 acres. Socioeconomics -The longer project access route would increase project. Project activities would involve annual expenditures of approximate]}' $$70 to X20 million in 2002 through 2007 for road and drill pad constmcdon, drilling operations, methane drainage activities, and ongoing reclamation. Current mine employment levels would be maintained while the mine produces approximately 6 to 7 million tons of coal annually for 6 years. Envimnmentol Attetsmerrt ¢':¢m/mwom~~ r .i ~lFSlo.,a 3N/iCE~ U9'F srvm,i