2013-04-03_PERMIT FILE - X201322801 (2)

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i r T =`? :^e CI�I��.� National . ores s FiE S and c.C_2. 3.0 Overview of the Alternatives 3.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) USFS would not grant consent to modify the leases and mining would not occur in the areas proposed for modification. Impacts from mining coal under the proposed modification areas would not occur, and the effects from on -going land uses could continue, including coal mining activities such as exploration and monitoring related to mine activities on existing leases, and continued recreation and grazing. The land would continue to be managed according to Forest Plan standards, goals and guidelines. 3.2 Alternative 2 — 2001 Roadless Conservation Rule Modify existing Federal coal leases COC -1362 and COC -67232 by adding 800 and 92 additional acres (respectively). The USFS would consent to and BLM would modify the leases with stipulations /notices /addendums in Tables 2.1a and 2.Ib of the FEIS. However, under the provisions of 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, road construction would not be allowed in the modification areas. Because a leasing decision itself does not involve any mineral development or surface disturbance, it is necessary to project the amount of surface use or activity that will likely result during lease development in order to disclose potential effects and inform decision - making. The RFMP, which describes the likely post -lease activity for this alternative is described in Section 3.2 of the FEIS. Additional information on this alternative is in Section 2.1 of the FEIS. 3.3 Alternative 3 — Colorado Roadless Rule (Preferred Alternative) Alternative 3 is similar to Alternative 2 except that it is analyzed under the framework of the Colorado Roadless Rule. This rule went into effect on July 3, 2012. The Colorado Roadless Rule specifically provides for coal mining in this area by allowing the construction of temporary roads. Modify existing Federal coal leases COC -1362 and COC -67232 by adding 800 and 921 additional acres (respectively). The USFS would consent to and BLM would modify the leases with all stipulations /notices /addenda in Tables 2.1a and 2.1b of the FEIS. Under the Colorado Roadless Rule, post -lease temporary road building could be permitted in the ease modifications because it is in the area known as the "North Fork Coal Mining Area" in the Rule. This would allow for MDW drilling and temporary road access, and would therefore allow for mining the coal under the RFMP (described in Section 3.2 of the FEIS). Because a leasing decision itself does not involve any mineral development or surface disturbance, it is necessary to project the amount of surface use or activity that will likely result during lease development in order to disclose potential effects and inform decision making. The RFMP, which describes the likely post -lease activity for this alternative is described in Section 3.2 of the FEIS. Additional information on this 4