2008-06-09_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 ‎(6)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/9/2008
• Doc Name: Exhibit 79 Part 2
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 80 Drilling Activities - TR111
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Response to Comments
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Table 5-1
DEIS Comments and Responses
Commenter Comment CommendResponse

Resource Council like to see in the EIS.
RESPONSE: MCC closely monitors the use of drilling fluids and cementing
products used in drilling the MDW holes to verify that they are either
naturally occurring organic or inorganic materials or biodegradable
compounds. Drilling contractors are required to supply material safety data
sheets (MSDS) with products to be used, to verify compliance. The majority
of drilling fluids used consist of bentonite clay compounds and other
industrial minerals which are naturally occurring in Wyoming, Colorado, and
elsewhere. Examples of other organic compounds that might be utilized in the
drilling process are crushed peanut shells, cottonseed hulls, and cedar fiber.
No issue appears to have been raised with regard to drilling fluids and are
therefore only included here for information as requested.
United States 1 On page 84 of the DEIS you stated that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the (USFWS) conducted aerial surveys for lynx on the GMUG. The USFWS has
Interior, Off ce of not conducted the aerial surveys you have attributed to them. The Colorado
the Secretary Division of Wildlife (CDOW) routinely conducts aerial radio telemetry
surveys as part of their ongoing lynx reintroduction program.
RESPONSE: The FEIS has been updated to correct this information.
United States 2 On page 73 of the DEIS, the document presents a brief, incomplete,
Department of the documentation of the lynx listing information, and one statement describing
Interior, Office of the number of lynx released into Colorado by the CDOW. The DEIS should
the Secretary provide references to lyiix listing documents and provide additional detail
regarding the current status of lyiix in the Southern Rockies Geographic Area.
The current language is vague and does not include references to back up the
statements referring to the status of lynx on the GMUG.
RESPONSE: Language in FEIS and Final Biological Assessment is more
specific to the project area with regard to lynx habitat and populations.
United States 3 Additionally, the DEIS mentions that the proposed action will occur within
Department of the the Mount Gunnison Lynx Analysis Unit (LAU). The DEIS should provide a
Interior, Office of complete description of the Mount Gunnison LAU including a map of the
the Secretary LAU and habitat data to support a baseline description.
RESPONSE: FEIS and Final Biological Assessment discuss Mount
Gunnison LAU as recommended.
United States 4 On page 89 of the DEIS, there is a description of the anticipated impacts of
Department of the the proposed action on lylix. We believe that this description is inadequate.
Interior, Office of The DEIS describes the number of acres of lynx habitat impacted, but there is
the Secretary no basis of determining what the effects will be (i.e. no baseline, see above).
RESPONSE: The FEIS (Chapter 3, Wildlife) and Final Biological
Assessment have been updated with the information requested. And FEIS
Table 2-1 has been updated to include the requirements of the Biological
Opinion for lynx on the Dry Fork Lease (see Dry Fork Lease- by-Application
ROD).
United States 5 Also, the DEIS states that the 1 nx habitat in the roject area is of "mar final
Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS
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