2008-06-09_REVISION - C1980007 (3)

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Chapter 3 landslides, then the erosion process would be accelerated. Land slides also result in a decline in soil productivity. (USES personal communication with Terry Hughes, 2007). These effects would be Tninimized through the use of design criteria (Table 2-1). Topsoil and subsoil stockpiles would be subject to potential erosion but measures would be taken to minimize this occurrence (e.g. soil would be replaced on backfill areas as soon as possible and configuration and iininediate seeding of soil stockpiles would provide stabilization). Also, excavation and stockpiling of soil would destabilize soil aggregates which would reduce water holding capacity and increase susceptibility to erosion once the soils are replaced during reclamation (Brady and Weil 1999). Even though restoration has been rather successful in the past, there would be evidence of these disturbances for more than 50 years on steep slopes, especially on steeper slopes and south and southwest aspects, where deep cuts such as roads and shallow soils exist. (USES personal communication with Terry Hughes, 2007). Alternative 3 Effects of Alternative 3 would be the same as Alternative 2, except installation of methane drainage wells and associated pads and access roads would physically disturb up to 42 fewer acres over 12 years. Cumulative Effects The cumulative effects analysis area for soils is the project area. Cumulative effects include erosion contributed by drill pad and access road construction related to ongoing mine exploration, limited recreational OHV use, and grazing. Natural landslides and other unstable features will continue to contribute to topographic changes and soil erosion in the area. Mine- related disturbances would cause erosion in specific areas, especially when disturbances occur on steep slopes, but these areas would be reclaimed malting the duration of erosive processes short lived. Grazing and OHV use cause lesser amounts of soil disturbance compared to construction activities but are ongoing and therefore erosion from these activities would continue into the future. Current disturbance associated with MCC operations in the project area includes two MDW pads (approximately 2 acre), 1.6 miles of access road, 3.5 miles of life of mine road, and less than one mile of temporary road (Figure 1). MCC has reclaimed five MDVJ (approximately 4 acres) and seven tenths of a mile of road. Concurrent reclamation will continue through the life of the mine as Panel 16 to 24 Coal Methane Drainage Project (USDA FS 2006a) concludes. Continued mine operation in the project area increase the potential for subsidence and soil erosion. Consistency with Forest Plan and Other Laws Authorities specifically governing Forest Service soil management include the Multiple- Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 and the Forest and Rangelands Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA). Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 are consistent with Forest Plan standards for soils that establish limits on ground-disturbing activity on unstable slopes and highly erodible sites. The Forest Plan further directs using site preparation methods to keep fertile topsoil intact, revegetating areas disturbed during road construction, and design mitigations and restoration to ensure that 80 percent original ground cover occurs within 5 years after disturbance. Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 also comply with regulations adopted pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the State of Colorado's OSM-approved permanent program for coal mining per the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act • • • 78 Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS