2009-06-04_REVISION - C1996083 (5)

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United States USDA Department of Agriculture Forest Paonia P.O. Box 1030 Service Ranger District N Rio Grande Ave. PHONE NO. 970-527-4131 Paonia, CO 81428 FAX 970-5274151 File Code: 2820-4 Date: June 1, 2009 RECEIVED Joe Dudash CDRMS 1313 Sherman Street, Rm 215 Denver, CO 81202 Dear Joe, JUN U 4 7-000 Division of Keciarnation, Mining and Safety The Paonia Ranger District has finished its review of Bowie Resources', MR-104 and MR-106, addressing modifications to the Gob-vent borehole operations. In accordance with procedures outlined in 30-CFR 906.30, Appendix-B, the Forest Servicereviewed the Revision for post-mining land use consistency with land use plan (GMUG Forest Plan), and the adequacy of measures to protect non-mineral surface resources, as proposed by Bowie in their application. According to Bowie's Mine Permit, the post-mining land use is "Rangeland and Wildlife habitat". This is consistent with the Forest Plan; however the Plan specifically prescribes managing this area for management indicator species. These operations are consistent with the previously analyzed GVBs in TR-52. Regarding the adequacy of measures to protect Federal resources not covered by the coal lease, by evaluating current Forest Service direction and various resource specialist input, the activities proposed in MR-104 and MR-106 must be conducted consistent with measures submitted with TR-52 (also listed in Attachment A) in order to adequately protect surface resources on NFS lands. Also, the FS requests that the future project related documents (e.g. decision and public notices) DRMS acknowledge that protections for non-mineral resources brought forward by the GMUG as the land management agency are included in the DRMS decision / documentation. Sincerely, LEVI K. BROYLES District Ranger cc: Art Etter Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper `d4v