2007-08-17_PERMIT FILE - C1981035 ‎(21)‎

• Permit No: C1981035
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 8/17/2007
• Doc Name: Environmental Assessments
• Section_Exhibit Name: KI Appendix 13
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• anticipated that production, employment and truck traffic rate would remain essentially the same
throughout the remaining life-of--the-mine.
Compliance with the Land Use Plan
This application is in compliance with the existing BLM land use plan. The plan, the San
Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan (RMP), was completed and approved in September,
1985. The information in the approved land use plan determined that the azea was suitable for
coal development and coal production could occur without conflicting with other land uses.
Alternative 2 - No Action
If the proposed modification were not issued, National King Coal would be precluded from
mining the coal in the proposed modification azea. National King Coal would not have access
to the additional coal reserves, and the life of the mine would not be extend by an additional 2.8
years. Existing coal production, employment and truck traffic would remain the same throughout
the remaining life of the mine.
III. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
A detailed description of the existing environment can be found in the San Juan/San Miguel RMP.
• Specific resources that may be affected as a result of the proposed action aze detailed below.
SOILS
Project area soils range from shallow (less than 20 inches), poorly developed units derived from
interbedded sandstone and shale (Lithic Ustic Torriorthents) to deep (greater than 40 inches)
eolian derivatives (Ustollic Haplazgids). The shallow soils are associated with numerous rock
outcrops. Detailed soil descriptions aze given in the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology
permit for National King Coal's Federal Coal Leases P-058300, COC-29125, COC-49465 and
COC-60941.
The land within the application azea does not consist of prime or unique farmlands or alluvial
valley floors. An alluvial valley floor may exist southwest of the proposed modification area
where Pine Gulch merges with Rattlesnake Gulch. It is not anticipated that mining in the
proposed lease modification area would affect this possible alluvial valley. However, final
determination will be made by Colorado DMG during the review ofthe lessee's permit application
for the modification application azea.
GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES
•