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

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a Relief from Lease Stipulation Ventilation shaft construction4 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-April 30, 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. 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): • 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 Elk 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 a 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 instal] 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. C-1362 • Proposed on IRA portion of lease (including the 160-acre modification): 13 methane drainage well drill sites with 2.3 miles of temporary road construction. • Proposed on 160-acre modification: Two methane drainage well drill. sites with one- tenth mile of road construction. COC-56447 • Proposed on lease: approximately 240 feet temporary road construction in IRA. COC-67232 • Proposed on IRA portion of lease: MDWs on 8 locations. Road construction activities associated with methane drainage wells proposed in the West Elk IRA may be constructed or reconstructed because they are excepted from the prohibitions of the RACR under Exception No. 7. The rationale for applying the exception from the RACR is as follows: Exception No. 7 - A road is needed in conjunction with the continuation, extension, renewal of a mineral lease on lands that were under lease as of January 12, 2001... Such road construction or reconstruction must be conducted in a manner that minimizes effects on surface resources, prevents unnecessary or unreasonable surface disturbance and complies with all lease requirements, land and resource management plan direction, regulations, and laws. Roads constructed or reconstructed pursuant to this paragraph >nust be obliterated when no longer needed for the purposes of the lease.... • The roads to access methane drainage wells are needed for coal mining operations and continuation of leases on lands that were under lease as of January 12, 2001. 20 Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS