2008-06-09_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 ‎(5)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/9/2008
• Doc Name: Exhibit 79 Deer Creek Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells Project Final-August 2007
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 80 Drilling Activities - TR111
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Summary
Approximate new road access disturbance is
up to 62.6 acres (approximately 6.8 acres in
the West Elk IRA; 6.6 acres associated with
Lease COC-1362, and 0.2 acres on Lease
COC 56447) over 12 years. These roads
would be for project and administrative use
only, and would not be available for public
use. These mileages would be
decommissioned by obliteration after project
use.
An existing life of mine (i.e. to approximately
2030) administrative access road in the SE1/4
Section 27, T 13S, R 90W would be re-routed
to mitigate existing resource and maintenance
problems due to geologic hazards,
sedimentation and slope steepness. The
existing administrative access road would be
decommissioned by obliteration upon
construction of the re-route. The existing
access route and proposed re-route are both in
the West Elk IRA. The re-route is about 0.6
miles, and would decrease the mileage of the
existing route by 0.6 miles. The re-route
would be decommissioned by obliteration at
the end of mine life. The re-route would be for
on-lease activity and administrative use only,
and would not be available for public use.
Total miles of new road in IRA would be 2.3
miles.
Per decisions issued in 2002 and 2006 Long
Draw Saddle life of mine road will be
decommissioned to an ATV trail.
• At the end of the project, Poison Gulch Road
(NFSR 711.X) the majority of the route
except the very northern end would change
from a full sized system road to a System
ATV trail (which is the current primary use of
the route).
The development of a road network in the project
area poses a challenge because it is difficult to
estimate project needs due to topographical and
geological influences. Therefore, road placement is
an estimate and would be refined in the field with
appropriate design standards and additional
mitigation measures added on asite-specific basis.
Additionally, well and pad placement would be
based on need as established by the conditions in
the mine as well as surface conditions and will be
designed site-specifically as the project progresses.
It is estimated that a lower number of wells would
actually be needed than are proposed at this time.
Relief from Lease Stipulation
Ventilation shaft construction' time is estimated at
less than 12 months and would be constructed prior
to underground mine operations reaching the shaft
location. The Proposed Action Alternative includes
granting relief from Winter Range Restrictions on
lease C-1362 (December 1, 2007-Apri130, 2008) to
allow these structures to be installed before mining
operations reach the area. If mine operation timing
permits, a less disruptive shaft construction method
may be used which would result in lower surface
disturbance, less spoils, and would not require relief
from the big game winter range lease stipulations.
While currently not anticipated, site-specific relief
from lease stipulations relating geohazards,
moderate or steep slopes, or riparian areas could
arise during project implementation. The scale of
stipulations mapping may not identify all surface
features where the stipulation applies. This could
require additional IDT review and analysis. Relief
from the riparian stipulation would require specific
authorization.
Proposed Activities in Inventoried Roadless
Area
The Proposed Action Alternative includes
construction of MDW locations and temporary road
construction the West Elk IRA. Approximately 2.3
miles of temporary road construction is proposed on
these leases in the West Ells IRA. The road
construction is necessary to access to 24 sites for
methane drainage wells, 21 of which would be
located in the IRA. Roads proposed in the IRA
would be for project and administrative use only,
and would not be available for public use. A break
down of activities proposed in IRA per lease is as
follows (see full lease descriptions on page 6):
C-1362
Proposed on IRA portion of lease (including
the 160-acre modification): 13 methane
•
•
' Conventional construction (top down) consists of all
construction activities on the surface. All materials produced
from the shaft sinking must temporarily be stored on the
construction pad, including mine water discharge.
Conventional sink line construction is completed by excavating
down to bedrock to install a concrete collar as the foundation
for a hoist. The shaft is then sunk using drilling and blasting
where all excess rock is removed and brought to the surface for
temporary storage. A concrete shaft lining would be placed as
the drilling and blasting proceeds.
S-8 Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seain Methane Drainage Wells FEIS