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Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. <br />FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICAN IMPACT: <br />A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was prepared, based on the information <br />contained in the EA and my consideration of criteria for significance (40 CFR 1508.27). <br />It is my determination that: 1) the implementation of the proposed action will not have <br />significant environmental impacts; 2) the Proposed Action is in conformance with the <br />Uncompahgre Basin Resource Management Plan; and 3) the Proposed Action does not <br />constitute a major federal action having significant effect on the human environment. <br />Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary. <br />PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: <br />Public comments were solicited via a letter dated September 19, 2011, that was mailed to <br />the appropriate agencies, specific interested parties, and to the general public. The letter <br />was also posted on the BLM UFO website. Information regarding the exploration <br />proposal was made available for public review after September 19, 2011, through legal <br />notices published in the Delta County Independent. In addition, there were <br />announcements of the public scoping period in The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction. <br />Public comments were received through October 24, 2011. <br />A total of 394 comment letters were received during the public comment period. In <br />general, comments focused on traffic, water, natural resources, real estate /quality of life, <br />and socioeconomic issues. The analysis of the key issues raised by the scoping <br />comments from the public, other agencies, and the interdisciplinary team, are addressed <br />in the EA. The EA focuses on the decision to issue the exploration license and analyzes <br />the impacts to the affected resources that were raised during the public comment period. <br />APPEAL PROCEDURES: <br />The BLM decision to issue the coal exploration license is subject to appeal to the Interior <br />Board of Land Appeals (IBLA). Anyone wishing to appeal will have 30 days from this <br />decision to appeal to the IBLA, Office of the Secretary, in accordance with regulations at <br />43 CFR Part 4. Appeal and stay procedures are outlined in Form 1842 -1. <br />3 <br />