2008-06-09_REVISION - C1980007 (3)

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Air Quality • • percent opacity. The West Elk Mine currently operates under air emission discharge permits obtained from the State of Colorado. Activities under the proposed action are not anticipated to require a modification of existing or application for new permits (USDA FS 2006a). Environmental Consequences Alternative 7 Under the No Action Alternative, gaseous and fugitive (e.g., particulate matter) emissions in the area would remain at current levels. Because methane drainage is occurring in the project area due to previously approved projects, Coal Methane Drainage Project Decision Meinos from 2001; Panel 15 Methane Drainage Wells, 2001; Panels 16 to 24, 2002; Sylvester Road Temporary Road Construction and Box Canyon Methane Drainage Wells, 2003, E-Seam Development Methane Drainage Wells, 2005; Box Canyon Methane Drainage Wells, 2005. An average of 15 million cubic meters per year (5.5 billion cubic feet per year) or 2,211,900 tonnes CO2 equivalent/year has been released from previous activities in the B seam at the West Elk Mine for the last 5 years. These emissions would continue under Alternative 1 for approximately one year. More information about greenhouse gases emitted is included in the effects of Alternative 2 discussion. Alternative 2 Particulate Emissions Potential sources of particulate such as smoke, soot, dust, and vehicle and industrial emissions (PM~o, PM2.5 pollutants) would come from equipment used during the construction and operations and maintenance of the access roads, methane drainage wells, ventilation/ escapeway shaft. These emissions would include fugitive dust from vehicles traveling on dirt roads and engine emissions. The Supplement to the Coal Methane Drainage Project Panels 16 to 24 Enviromnental Assessment (USDA FS 2006a) estimated vehicles would operate over 3,000 hours/year and generate an estimated 32,000 pounds per year of fugitive dust, which would be less after dust suppression was applied. Fugitive dust emissions would further decrease once construction was complete. Design criteria. to reduce dust during construction and maintenance will effectively reduce fugitive dust emissions (Table 2-1). Proposed Alternative Gaseous Emissions Potential sources of gaseous emissions (NO2, 502, and CO) would come from equipment used during the construction of the access roads, methane drainage wells, ventilation/ escapeway shaft. Gaseous emissions have been estimated at approximately 36,000 pounds per year (USDA FS 2006a) or approximately 99 pounds per day. These emissions would be from engines and would decrease in quantity when construction is complete. Information on other potential gaseous emission including ethane, propane, pentane, hexane, allcenes, aldehydes, and benzene and benzene derivatives is not available for the West Elk Mine and therefore can not be assessed. However, when the information becomes available, effects would be analyzed under an air permit modification if the levels generated make a modification necessary. Design criteria to reduce gaseous emissions (e.g. worker carpooling) would help decrease gaseous emissions during construction (Table 2-1). Further decreases would occur when construction is complete. Operations and maintenance of the methane drainage wells, roads and ventilation/escapeway shaft would contribute gaseous emission of NO2, SO2, and CO although at about half the pounds per year as construction activities (18,000 pounds per year). Greenhouse Gases Gaseous emissions in the form of methane from methane drainage wells and other ventilation Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS 59