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Coald9etbane Drainage Project -Paned 76-24 U%tt Elk A4ine • Page 6 constmcted. Nine proposed drill pads would also not be constructed. Temporary roads would be constructed and exist for two to four years. No new classified roads would be constmcted. Alternative 5 would not require exceptions to the high geologic hazard; steep slope; wetland, Eloodplain, and riparian lease stipulations. On completion of all project activities, new disturbance would be reclaimed. With the exception of the Minnesota Creek, Dry Fork, and Horse Gulch roads, public motorized vehicle use would not be allowed on roads within the project area at any rime of the }'ear. The existing mine ventilation system and the Iv]DWs that would be constructed would allow full scheduled production through 2005. Production beyond 2005 in the Box Canyon area would not be economically viable, resulting in closure of the mine or the mine going on care and maintenance status. In either case, approximately 73.0 millions tons of production reserves would not be developed. Geology, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Riparian Resources -Alternative 5 results in approximately 54 acres of surface disturbance from constmction activities, and 8G acres of disturbance when the roads and drill pads would be decommissioned by 2007. Approximatel}' ]0.] acres of moderate slope area would be affected, which would require special mitigation measures, but would not require an exception to ]ease stipulations. Effects on riparian areas would be limited to road crossings. Temporarv surface runoff and sediment effects in the Minnesota Creek watershed would increase due to project access traffic using this access. Roads would not be constructed in Sylvester Gulch, Box Canyon, East Fork Sylvester Gulch, and on Long Draw Saddle, therefore resources in these areas would not be affected in Alternative 5. Wildlife -Habitat Capability/Effectiveness for elk would decline to 34 percent during operations and increase to 48 percent after roads and drill pads are obliterated by 2005. Wildlife habitat in Sylvester Gulch, Box Canyon, East Fork Sylvester Gulch, and on Long Draw Saddle, would not be affected in Alternative 5. The duration of effects would be lirrdted and Habitat Capability/Effectiveness enhancement would occur in 2005 when all temporary roads would be obliterated. Livestock and Grazing -Disturbance would result in temporary loss of approximately 37 AUMs per year of grazing capacity. The majority of project access traffic would use the Minnesota Creek, Horse Gulch, and \X/est Flatirons Roads. Project traffic on the southern portion of the West Flatiron Road would increase the potential for effects on range unprovements, since many of the existing improvements are in this area. Air Quality -The increased access distance under Alternative 5 would result in greater overall emissions from vehicle exhaust. Methane emission quantities would be less than noted under the discussion of effects common to all action alternatives since fewer MDWs would be completed and the project would end in 2005, leaving some coal reserves undeveloped. Access and Recreation -Use of the Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access route would result in continuing traffic and other concerns along this route, including impacts for the portion of this route that runs through the Town of Paonia. Conflicts between mine traffic, public use, and private landowners along the Minnesota Creek Road would end in 2005 when the mine closes or changes to care and maintenance stams. Roadless Character -Approximately 2,380 acres of IRA would be affected by and proposed road construction and use. Project reclamation would reduce IRA effects to 0 acres. Socioeconomics -Adequate methane drainage from 2002 to 2004 would result in annual espendimres of approximately $]0 to X20 million for road and drill pad construction, 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 annuall}'• \l".1{T/MOUnnin Cnd a/L1/Dnti 3/J/iC[I U513 J/S/03 a1v' Errtamrmneata(Assess/neat I I