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monument a,•eas contained remnants of land most manageable for roadless. This is still true. • Special Places/Activities: None were identified, none have been added. The F:oadless Area Conservation Rule as written prohibits road construction or reconstruction in IRAs. The Rule does not apply [o mineral leases in place at the time the rule was made, therefore the federal coal lease (COC-56447) on which the GVB would be drilled is exempt. In addition, the Forest Service roads policy exempts existing minerals leases, and roads needed to access an existing lease from the prohibition in the policy. Alternative 3_ The effects of this alternative are the same as for Altemative 2, except since the 1.5 mile of drill road would not be reopened. Thus, the potential for range mana:>_ement problems would be less, since the access would not require crossing allotment fences, or bass adjacent to six stock ponds. In addition, the one mile of new temporary road conslrne[ion would start at the West Flatiron access road and the road access would be on the north hillslope above the bottom of Long draw. Using this alignrent would minimize the needs for gates or cattleguards. This would also allow for maintaining an open grazing park while creating a path through the oakbrush above the draw that would encourage better cattle dispersal on the hillside. This alignment would also prevent potential damage to the stock ponds in Long Draw. This road alignment would also facilitate easier access for reclamation and closure activities. Effects to roadless character under Altemative 3 would be similar [o Alternative 2. 3.B.3 Cumulative Effects: Lands in the project azea and surrounding area are used for livestock grazing. Grazing management is affected by drilling operations because of livestock distribution, problems with gates being left open and damage to range improvements. Under the intensive time -controlled system used on this allotment, conflicts occur in short intervals, but can cause large disturbances to the planned range tnana~;ement philosophy and planned stock dispersal. There have not been any timber sales in the past 10 to 15 years in the area, and none are planned. GVB development will not affect personal fuelwood gathering, there are no cumulative effects to consider with regard to timber use of the area. Recreation use of the area is minor, except that there is increased use during hunting season. The effects of this proposal may effect hunting this year, and future drilling operations may affect hunter's experience in subsequent years. Cumulative effects to the roadless character include potential for more temporary roads to be built for GVB and then reclaimed. Under present policy, additional temporary roads for other GVB could be considered on existing mineral leases. Additional road access needs for fiihtre GVB is estimated at six to seven miles. Based on the already compromised nature of the roadless character, [he building followed by reclamation oi' roads would no[ contribute overall to the character now present. 24