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

CHAPTER 2
ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION

•
Introduction
This chapter describes and compares the
alternatives considered for the Deer Creek
Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells
Projects. It includes a description and snap of
each alternative considered. This section also
presents the alternatives in comparative form,
sharply defining the differences between each
altenlative and providing a clear basis for
choice among options by the decision maker
and the public.
Alternatives Considered in Detail
In addition to the No Action Alternative
(Alternative 1), and the Proposed Action
(Alternative 2), and No Activities in Roadless
(Alternative 3), the Forest Service considered
several alternatives in response to issues raised
by the interdisciplinary team, national policy
changes, and input from other agencies,
associations, and the public. Due to public
concern, the alternative that eliminated
activities within IRA is now considered in
detail. In the Draft EIS, it was considered but
eliminated from detailed study.
Alternative 1 - No Action
Under the No Action alternative, current
management plans, existing approvals related
to coal mining, and non-coal related activities
would continue to occur or guide management
of the project area. Figure 2 displays activities
that would continue under No Action. These
actions include continued implementation of
existing approvals and permitted activities held
by MCC for development of leased coal
reserves, and are:
• Drilling and installing methane drainage
wells on panels 20 and 21 over the B Seam
(to the northeast of the Deer Creek/E Seam
project area;
Reclamation of methane drainage well
sites for the B Seam. when they are no
longer needed;
Construction of the Sylvester Gulch Road;
Operation of existing E Seam MDWs on
Horse Gulch Road;
On-going monitoring of ground water
wells along the Dry Fork of Minnesota
Creels, and other required monitoring; and
Drilling geotechnical boreholes.
• Conducting seismic studies and surveys.
Construction of the Deer Creek Shaft would not
occur. The existing pad location would be
reclaimed and the access road obliterated. The
E Seam methane drainage wells and associated
road construction would not be approved, and
would therefore not be constructed. The 2.3
miles of temporary road construction and
drilling pads in the West Elk IRA would
likewise not be constructed.
Mining-related surface disturbance would not
occur with regard to the E seam methane
drainage wills and associated access roads, or
would be limited to surface resource
monitoring activities such as monitoring wells,
surface water monitoring stations, subsidence
and related effects, etc. Methane generated
during mining operations would be handled
through the existing mine ventilation system.
The ineffectiveness of handling methane solely
through the ventilation system would likely
cause underground coal mining operations in
the E seam to slow significantly or diminish
entirely over time. This could result in a
reduced capacity for MCC to meet its coal
contractual obligations, create unsafe working
conditions, and render the coal reserves
uneconomical to recover. Further, there would
be a decreased ability to recover currently
leased federal coal reserves.
Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEI.S
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