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Cool Plethwrr Drornage Project - Ponelt 1G24 II%tf E(k A4inr • Page 3 Alternative 2 -Sylvester Gulch/Lone Draw Saddle Lone-Term Access Alternative 2 is the Proposed Action. Alternative 2 includes construction of 54 drill pads and 70 ' MDWs and ]0 exploration drillholes. A classified road called the Sylvester Gulch access route would be constmcted in the project area and used Eor the next 30 years for access to the mining lease area and potential future lease areas. The existing Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access would be utilized for ' initial project area access until completion of the S}dvester Gulch access route, in the fall of 2002 and would continue to be used for activities in Upper Deep Creek until 2003, or early 2004. Additional temporary roads would be constmcted and exist for two to four years. Alternative 2 would involve construction of roads and drill pads in restricted areas and require exceptions to the high geologic hazard; steep slope; and wetland, floodplain, and ripanan lease stipulations. On completion of all project activities, new disturbance would be reclaimed with the exception of the Sylvester Gulch ' access route. IX/idt 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 time of the year. Geology, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Riparian Resources -Alternative 2 results in ' approximately 68 acres of surface disturbance from constmction activities, and 90 acres of disturbance when the roads and drill pads are decommtsstoned. Approximately 0.2 acres of high geologic hazard area, 3.4 acres of steep slope area, and 5.4 acres of Water influence Zone (WIZ) areas ' would be affected b}' roads and drill pad construction. Alternative 2 requires exceptions from lease stipulations for these areas. Approxtmately 76 acres of moderate slope area are affected, which would require special mitigation measures, but would not require and exception to lease stipulations. Wildlife -Habitat Capability/Effectiveness for elk would decline to 33 percent during operations and increase to 46 percent after roads and drill pads are obliterated by 2007. The Sylvester Gulch project access would continue to affect wildlife habitat until it is obliterated in 2030. The duration of effects ' would be limited and Habitat Capabilit}'/Effectiveness enhancement would occur in 2007 when all temporary roads would be obliterated. Livestock and Grazing -Disturbance would result in temporary loss of approximately 42 AUMs per year of grazing capacity. Use of the S}lvester Gulch project access would extend adverse effects and dela}'some beneficial effects. Air Quality -Deferred reclamation of the Sylvester Gulch access route would extend any minor impacts from the associated road disturbance areas. ' Access and Recreation -The proposed Sylvester Gulch access route would provide shorter, more direct access to the project area than the present Minnesota Creek/Dry Fork access and substantiall}' reduce traffic and other concerns on the Minnesota Creek Road. Long-teen access would facilitate ' future development activities in other parts of the existing ]ease area, and in potential future ]ease areas. ' Roadless Chatacrer -Approximate]}' 3,010 acres of IRA would be affected by proposed road construction and use. Project reclamation would obliterate the majority of the road disturbance, reducing the area of IRA affected to approximately 674 acres, Socioeconomics -The longer project access route would increase project. Project activities would mvoh'e annual expenditures of approxtmately X10 to X20 million in 2002 through 2007 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 mullion tons of coal annually for 6 years. u EnvironmenialAttettment P/Abuni:n (n: (e/Y_7/DnR iHPR91 U5R ,isim,~~