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Coa(Methane Drainage Project - Pane4 16-24 Wert E(k [Mine • Pape 1-10 1.5 CONFORMANCE WITH LAND USE DESIGNATIONS AND PLANS 1.5.1 Federal Mining Laws The USFS manages mineral resources on National Forests according to the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970. This Act states that it is the "continuing policy of the federal government in the national interest to foster and encourage private enterprise in...(t)he development of economically sound and stable domestic mining minerals and mineral reclamation industries,...(and) the orderly and economic development of domestic mineral resources...". Federal mineral leasing procedure is implemented in accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 (MLA), and spedfic procedures set forth in Title 43 CFR Part 3400. The BLM has authority to issue mineral leases and exploration licenses, and is responsible for mine compliance with leases and licenses. The USFS authority is limited to surface resources only. For all lease and license decisions by the BLM, the USFS consents to a BLM action as the surface management agency. The project area includes land within two existing federal coal leases. Lease COC-56447 covers the northeast pazt of the project area, while Lease C-1362 covers the southwest part of the project area. Lease boundaries aze shown on Figure F2, Project Area Surface Stipulations and Map Ml, Project Area Activities With Surface Stipulations. Coal Lease C-1362 was issued in 1967. Terms and conditions of the lease are subject to readjustment at the end of the primary term of 20 years, and at the end of each 10-year period thereafter if the lease is extended. Coal Lease C-1362 was readjusted in 1987 and 1997. Stipulations were added to the lease in 1997 to bring the lease into accordance with the GMUG National Forest amended Land and Resource Management Plan and Oil and Gas EIS/Record of Decision. The stipulations and the C- 1362 coal lease re-adjustment map showing restricted areas aze included for reference in Appendix A. The information in the environmental analysis for the coal lease adjustment decision is incorporated in this EA by reference. Coal Lease COC-56447 was issued on June 1, 1995 and modified on October 15, 2001. Coal Lease COC-56447 is subject to the same stipulations as Coal Lease C-1362. In addition, Lease COC-56447 includes three additional stipulations regarding Tltreatened and Endangered species, water, and the State Highway 133 right-of--way. The stipulations for Lease COC-56447 are included in Appendices A and B. The following summarizes the applicable lease stipulations: • Timing Limit Stipulation, Big Game Winter Range - No surface use allowed for exploration, drilling, and development activities behveen December 1 and April 30 for designated winter range. Operation and maintenance activities aze allowed. New roads constructed will be closed year-long to public access. • Controlled Surface Use Stipulation, Big Game Winter Range -Operation and maintenance of facilities associated with coal mining will be scheduled to minimize adverse effects on elk between December 1 and Apri130 for designated winter range. Road use would be limited to periods when animals are not present and restricted to authorized mine personnel. • Controlled Surface Use Stipulation, Slopes 40-60 percent -Environmental analysis and mitigation plans will be required on azeas where slopes range from 40-60 percent • No Surface Occupancy Stipulation, Slopes > 60 percent - No surface occupanry or use is allowed in azeas where slopes are > 60 percent • Controlled Surface Use Stipulation, Moderate Geologic Hazards -Environmental analysis and mitigation plans will be required on areas having moderate geologic hazazds Environmental A.rrerrmcnJ ID:WP/Alrwa. lid G/EA/U..f Jla/oSEi WFI l/J/O1.b