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I.E. AUTHORIZING ACTIONS <br />The Forest Service manages the Agency's minerals program under guidance given in the <br />Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 which states in part that it is the "continuing <br />policy of the federal government in the national interest [o foster and encourage private <br />enterprise in...(t)he development of economically sound and stable domestic mining <br />minerals and mineral reclamation industries,...(and) the orderly and economic <br />development of domestic mineral resources..." Further, federal mineral leasing follows <br />the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 as amended by the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments <br />Act of 1976 (MLA), and specific procedures set forth in 43 CFR 3400. The existing <br />federal coal lease (COC-56447) on which the GVB aze proposed to be drilled was <br />approved tinder these Ac[s. <br />This proposed drilling on the existing federal coal lease will be processed in accordance <br />with procedures set forth in 43 CFR 3482. <br />The project area lies within the approved Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />(CDMG) permit azea for the West Elk Mine. The CDMG enforces the performance <br />standards and permit reyuirements during for the mine's operation and has primary <br />authority in environmental emergencies. The CDMG operates under a USDI-Office of <br />Surface Mining (OSM)-approved permanent program for administering coal mining <br />operations in the State of Colorado. The performance standazds for drilling administered <br />by CDMG are part of [he Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act regulations, <br />which are based on requirements in 30 CFR Chapter VII, Part 816. <br />If this drilling is approved, MCC will also need to submit a technical revision to their <br />mine permit to the CDMG for approval. <br />1.F. DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS <br />This EA presents the analysis needed for the Paonia District Ranger of the GMUG to <br />decide how best to drill the proposed GVBs and identify access routes to minimize <br />environmental impact. The District Ranger must also decide whether or not to approve an <br />exception to the Big Game Winter range timing limitation stipulation. Further, the <br />District Ranger must prescribe what Conditions of Approval will be needed to protect <br />other resources in the project area. <br />1.G. REASONABLY FORESEEABLE DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO <br />The proposed GVBs are needed to liberate methane gas from the east side of longwall <br />panel 15 in the longwall district of the West Elk Mine that includes Panels 15-17. <br />The drill pads needed for the GVBs are estimated at 120 feet by 180 feet (0.5 acres), <br />computing to about 2.5 acres for all five pads. <br />The installation of five GVB (I~-O1, 15-02, 15-03, 15-3.5 and IS-OS) on drill pads and <br />the construction of the about one mile of new temporary road are proposed to occur in a <br />