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
Commenter Comment Comment/Response

RESPONSE: The referenced statement is disclosing a direct effect of
constructing the temporary road mileage on the existing Forest transportation
system (i.e. existing public use roads). As the temporary roads will not be a
part of the Forest road system, and will not be open for public use, the
construction of them will not have an appreciable effect on the existing public
road system. The FEIS has been revised accordingly.
Table 2-1 of the FEIS has been revised to clarify design and construction
requirements for public and non-public roads.
Mountain Coal 31 Page 106 DEIS, Second bullet, second column, Reword paragraph to be
Company correct or clarified.
RESPONSE: This is language directly from the Forest Plan. If MCC uses a
temporary waterline connected to a tank, this will apply wherever the pipeline
crosses a road.
Western Slope 1 WSERC believes that the project proposed would not cause significant,
Environmental lasting harm to the environment.
Resource Council RESPONSE: Position statement. No response needed.
Western Slope 2 WSERC's position is not to oppose expansion of North Fork coal mines into
Environmental roadless areas provided such expansion a) is adjacent to existing mines, b)
Resource Council causes as little surface disturbance as possible, and c) is followed by
obliteration of all roads and complete restoration to natural conditions.
RESPONSE: Road construction in IRAs considered in this project is on
federal coal leases that are contiguous with other lease holdings and the State
permit area for the West Elk Mine (see FEIS Figure 1). Consistent with the
RACR, FS policy and GMUG Forest Plan standards, any road construction in
the IRA will be designed to cause the minimal amount of surface disturbance
(see Table 2-1 and Chapter 3 Transportation Section in the FEIS). Under the
RACR, roads must be obliterated when no longer needed for the purposes of
the lease. Road construction in the IRA for this project has been designed to
include this requirement (see Table 2-1). Reclamation efforts are designed to
achieve Forest Plan standards, the post-mining land uses, and other land use
needs (see Table 2-1).
Western Slope 3 A great concern about surface disturbance is introduction of weeds through
Environmental vehicle travel along the roads and on the well pads because such introduction
Resource Council could cause lasting harm within the project area. We note that the draft EIS
contains provisions to prevent introduction of weeds (power washing of
vehicles and equipment; pp. 66-67), to monitor weed infestations, and to
control said infestations. We want to stress that this should be done
conscientiously.
RESPONSE: The FS acknowledges the importance of noxious weed
management (see Chapter 1 Issues and Table 2-1). Noxious weed prevention,
monitoring and treatment are conditions under Road Use Permits, issued by
the Forest Service, with which MCC is required to comply. Paonia Ranger
District maintains weed management agreements with both Gunnison and
Delta Counties. State mine ermit re uirements also re wire weed treatment

•
•
.._
160 Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS