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CoalMe[5arse Draiaupe Project - PaneG 16-24 Wef! E!k Mine • Pape 3-70 3.2.3 Environmental Consequences 3.2.3.1 Alternative 1, No Action Displacement of elk and deer from the project area would be at a level associated with current uses of the area (livestock grazing, special uses, and recreation). Current uses also include recent MCC's methane drainage activities. Those activities include the use and subsequent reclamation of 9.3 miles of road and 15 drill pads for Panels 14 and I5. MCC completion of these activities is projected for summer of 2004. Under the No-Action Alternative, elk habitat effectiveness would remain at 45 percent. Alternative 1 provides no opportunity for the optional mitigation of obliterating 5.2 miles of motorized roads and trails that would remain in the project area following reclamation of existing MDW access roads. The opportunity to increase habitat effectiveness for elk to 48 percent or better would not be realized. Elk and deer displacement would continue to occur where roads and trails remain and aze used for mine or recreational access. Special habitats would remain in their existing condition. Impaired stream channels and associated riparian habitats in portions of Dry Fork Minnesota Creek and Deep Creek would continue to deteriorate. Elk winter range and migration corridors would not be affected by additional road construction, drilling activities, and methane ventilation facilities monitoring. Snag habitat would be maintained at current levels and/or increase. 3.2.3.2 Alternative 2, Sylvester Gulch/Long Draw Saddle Long-Term Access Drill pad construction, road construction and road use would change elk and deer use patterns in the project area. These activities would not have an affect on elk and deer populations in DAU's E-52 and D-20. Total numbers of elk and deer are influenced more by the severity of seasonal weather patterns and CDOW herd management objectives. The Sylvester Gulch access route, Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access route, and Meadow Road access from MCC property to USFS land in the northwest comer of the project area, would all be used for project access in Alternative 2. Displacement of elk and deer Erom the project azea wotild be highest during the time necessary for construction of the Sylvester Gulch access. 1t is during this time that the Minnesota Creek/Dry Creek road would be used for initial project access. Displacement of these species would then decrease slightly when the Sylvester Gulch access route is completed. The Syh-ester Gulch route would be completed and used For project access in 2002. Subsequent to construction disturbance, project activities that result in displacement of elk would be most detrimental during the fall when elk aze seeking lower elevation or security areas. Elk can be expected to respond behaviorally by moving out of drainages where there is substantial or prolonged human activity. The longer the duration of the activity the more pronounced the behavior (Lyon et.al 1985). Allowing Sylvester Gulch to remain open as a classified road could cause permanent displacement of elk and deer from this drainage and the surrounding azea. Constmction of roads simultaneously with drilling operation and reclamation activities in different aeeas or drainages of the project area would cause widespread disturbance and possibly displacement from the entire project azea. It is expected that noise emitted from the exhausters would also contribute to displacement by elk and other wildlife from the project area. Exhausters would generally be operating throughout the project azea. These exhausters generate approximately 83 decibels when one to two feet away from them. Depending on topography, the noise would dissipate within a relatively short distances from the exhauster. Elk and other wildlife may become accustom to the noise and return to the area when drilling activities have been completed. ~J 1 EnvironmentalArnrrment , P:PF/Almrs. G/G/£f/O.yt )/pWIV LyFJ f/f/03.b