2008-06-12_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007 (3)

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Benefits will also occur from implementation of my decision. An additional 17 million tons of coal will be made available to supply energy needs of the country, and will provide economic benefit to the surrounding communities. Assuming that the coal lease is purchased and mined by MCC, the 17 million tons of coal will likely be mined over the course of 7 to 8 years, based on the reasonably foreseeable mine plan (EIS, Section 1.8). Factors Other Than Environmental Effects Considered In Making The Decision The purpose and need of this project is to lease additional Federal coal lands to allow economic recovery of federal coal reserves. My decision supports the Purpose and Need for this project. My decision fulfills the Federal Government's policy to foster and encourage mineral development (Mining and Mineral Policy Act of 1970), the Federal Land and Management Policy Act (FLPMA), and complies with the GMUG Forest Plan direction. Coal in the North Fork Valley is desirable because it is considered "compliance coal" under the Clean Air Act emissions standards. The coal from the area is low sulfur, low ash, and has high burning capabilities (EIS, page 3-8). Identification of the Environmental Documents Considered in Making the Decision • This decision was made after carefully considering the contents of the EIS, public comments, agency response to comments, and the supporting project record. The GMUG Forest Plan was reviewed and this decision determined to be consistent with it (EIS, Section 1.4). The numerous other environmental documents (EIS, Section 1.5 and Chapter 6) prepared for activities in the area were also consulted. How Considerations Were Wei_Zhed And Balanced In Arrivin-, At The Decision The resource impact analyses presented in the EIS (Chapter 3, and summarized in Table 2-2) show that potential impacts to surface resources would be minor, and can be mitigated. Granting consent to lease these lands adds about 1,517 acres of NFS lands to the coal lease base in the North Fork Valley. There are currently about 11, 500 acres of NFS lands under lease for coal in the area. This additional acreage represents about 13% of the currently leased acreage. I have also considered Executive Order 13212. which directs federal agencies to take steps to increase the energy supply to our nation, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Relationship to Public Lnvolvement Public comments were sought throughout this project (refer to Section I.D of this document for a surnmary of public involvement; and Section 22 and Chapter 8 of the EIS). I recognise that some parties are concerned over development in inventoried roadless areas. The area in which this lease is proposed is not an w,ea that was identified for wilderness designation, nor was it idenitificd as a further planninL' area-. 'The GMUG Forest Plan allows development in this area. Subsecluent evaluations have shown that the roadless character in the area has been 4