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

Chapter 5
Table 5-1
DEIS Comments and Responses
Coanmenter Comment Comment/Response

Department of the quality as defined by USFWS" and provides a citation to support the
Interior, Office of statement. The statement and its supporting citation are out of context for a
the Secretary discussion of project level effects. Additionally, the DEIS has not provided
any habitat data to support the statement. The citation provided discusses lynx
habitat in a much broader context with regard to the lynx distinct population
segment (within the lower 48 states).
RESPONSE: The FEIS and Biological Assessment have been revised to
include this information (Chapter 3, Wildlife Section).
United States 6 The DEIS seems to refer to lynx habitat in the project area as a (population)
Department of the sink. Again, the DEIS does not provide any data to support this statement.
Interior, Office of RESPONSE: The FEIS and Biological Assessment have been revised to
the Secretary clarify this information (Chapter 3, Wildlife Section).
United States ~ The Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy (Ruediger et al. 2000)
Department of the (LCAS) provides guidance for conducting effects analysis for individual
Interior, Office of projects. Ruediger et al. (2000), state that lynx analysis units provide the
the Secretary fundamental or smallest scale with which to begin evaluation and monitoring
of the effects of management actions on lynx habitat. The DEIS does mention
that the project is located within the Mount Gunnison LAU, but does not
provide any additional discussion regarding the existing condition of the LAU
or, how habitat within the LAU will be affected by the proposed action.
RESPONSE: The FEIS and Biological Assessment have been revised to
clarify this information (Chapter 3, Wildlife Section).
United States 8 The DEIS design criteria contains measures to minimize negative effects of
Department of the the action. One of the measures regarding new roads conflicts with guidance
Interior, Office of provided in the LCAS. The measure would place new roads "on top of
the Secretary ridges.., to avoid wet areas and improve road stability." (Page 23, Table 2-1)
This measure conflicts with programmatic planning guideline number 5 in the
ForestBackcountry roads and trails section of the LCAS. The final ETS
(FEIS) should state this deviation for lynx conservation measures and provide
the appropriate analysis for the effects of the deviation.
RESPONSE: Table 2-1 of both the DEIS and FEIS acknowledges this
recommendation of the LCAS.
United States 9 The DEIS has concluded that foraging habitat for bald eagles will be impacted
Department of the by the project, but does not state what the habitat is. The FEIS should provide
Interior, Office of amore comprehensive description of the foraging habitat for bald eagles, and
the Secretary how the habitat will be affected by the proposed action.
RESPONSE: FEIS has been updated to reflect this comment (Chapter 3
Wildlife Section).
United States 10 The DEIS lacks sufficient information regarding the Colorado River
Department of the endangered fishes. The FEIS should include an estimate of the water
Interior, Office of depletions associated with the proposed action, and should include reference
the Secretary to the Biological Opinion.issued by the USFWS to GMUG. Additionally, the
conclusion on page 89 of the effects of the proposed action, "may affect, not
likel to adversel affect," is inaccurate. Because the determination has been
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t b2S Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS