PERMFILE138875 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1 The ]ands surrounding the project area are under lease for underground coal mining. The lease upon which the proposed GVB lies is COC-56447, which was issued in 1995. MCC holds about 10,000 acres of federal coal leases in the area, some of which have been mined out. A recent EA was prepared for two coal lease modifications that would add about 300 acres to MCCs leased acreage. The lease modifications are located about 0.5 miles south of this project area (see attached map). The eastern ends of longwall panel 17 and E1 are encompassed in the lease modification areas. Surface disturbance associated with the leasing for underground coal mining consists of subsidence of the land surface. Analysis in the EAs for lease COC-56447 and the lease modifications showed that subsidence of the land surface and associated ground movements would not have extraordinary effects on the land surface. 3.B.4 Mitieations 1. Revegetate with Forest Service approved seed mix (project file). 2. The potential conditions of approval in Appendix B include a requirement for control of noxious weeds. 3. Provide a snowmobile passage on Minnesota Creek (FR 711), and/or post signs warning of mixed traffic. 4. The potential conditions of approval in Appendix B include a requirement for appropriate road signage to warn hunter of heavy equipment. 3.C. GEOLOGY, SOILS and WATERSHED 3.C.1 Affected Environment The project area is on a north hillslope of Long Draw, and ephemeral tributary to Deep Creek. The bedrock geology of the general area consists of interbedded lenses of sandstone, shale and claystones of the Mesa Verde and Wasatch Formations. This forms the cliff and shelf topography common on the area. Flat topped mesas are separated by incised drainages. Elevations at the proposed GVB sites range from 7,350 feet to 8,000 feet. Soils in the project area vary from silty to sandy loams derived from the Wasatch Formation. In areas where wet conditions occur (i.e. in aspen groves) organic humus covers clay soils. Land instability (mass wasting) is common in the area. Landslides and slumps can be seen in numerous locations around the project area. Stipulations on the federal coal lease include a controlled surface use for areas containing moderate geologic hazards. 3.C.2 Environmental Consequences Alternative 1: No Action : Under the no action alternative, the GVB would not be developed, and the road access would not be needed. There would be no additional impacts to the soils and watershed. Existing and approved activities would continue. Currently approved GVB drilling activities would occur, including drill pad construction 25