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2 <br />Given the prior experience with effective <br />methane drainage at the West Elk Mine, it is <br />anticipated that a MDW would be needed every <br />750 feet along each longwall panel in order to <br />meet MSHA approval requirements for the <br />mine ventilation plan. Based on the mine plan <br />configuration with panels extending under <br />portions of the IRA, ventilation plan <br />requirements convey the need to place MDWs <br />and access roads to them in the IRA. <br />The proposed action has been designed to use <br />directional drilling to the maximum extent <br />possible. However, this is limited by the <br />thickness of overburden (or amount of rock) <br />overlying the E seam. This limited thickness of <br />overburden precludes the ability to drill <br />exclusively froth outside the IRA boundaries <br />and hit the MDW targets needed in the <br />ventilation plan. Although use of directional <br />drilling opportunities has been used as much as <br />possible, in places the overburden is not thick <br />enough for directional drilling either from <br />outside the IRA to be practical or possible, <br />therefore some of the operations and hence <br />road construction, would be placed in the IRA. <br />Reclamation <br />A plan for reclamation would be submitted <br />through .the DRMS permitting process and <br />reviewed by the Forest Service. These plans <br />would be consistent with State requirements, <br />identified post-tni.ning land uses consistent with <br />Forest Plan direction, and incorporate any <br />specific reclamation goals identified in this <br />analysis. Goals of the plan, consistent with <br />DRMS and FS standards include slope <br />stabilization and naturalization; sedimentation. <br />and siltation control to protect water quality of <br />near-by surface waters; and meeting <br />requirements to restore roadless character; <br />return soil productivity as much as possible; <br />and restore vegetative vigor, health, species <br />composition and diversity to support post- <br />tnining land uses and Forest Plan goals. <br />Reclamation of MDW sites and roads would be <br />contemporaneous with construction when <br />facilities are no longer needed for mine <br />operations in that panel except for life of mine <br />roads. <br />Design Criteria <br />The Forest Service also developed the <br />following design criteria measures (Table 2-1) <br />to be used as part of all action alternatives. <br />Table 2-1 <br />Design Criteria <br />Topic Design Criteria for the Proposed Action <br />II TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM I II <br />Existing Roads 1. Existing roads would be left in a condition equal to or better than Road Use <br /> that observed on MCC's entry into the area or to the satisfaction of Permit <br /> the USFS engineer or permit administrator. At the completion of <br /> mining operations MCC will blade and crown all roads; shape and <br /> repair shoulders; clean all culverts and drainage ditches; and <br /> perform all other road maintenance work necessary to insure <br /> satisfactory functioning of the road drainage system. <br /> 2. FS Roads 710, 711, Horse Gulch Road (711.2b) and Sylvester MCC Project <br /> Gulch Roads would be used to access area. Access to the area Plan, County <br /> would primarily be on the Sylvester Gulch Road. Periodically, Road Use <br /> oversized and full-sized vehicles may need to mobilize via the Agreement <br /> county portion Minnesota Creek Road, however use will be <br /> minimized. <br />. <br /> <br />• <br />22 Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS <br />