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

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BLM Key Issues Topic Methane Evaluation of Impacts 7.0 Mitigation Measures Reasonably Foreseeable Actions 9 Issue Consider alternatives to venting including flaring, capture and use or destroying ventilation air methane (VAM) Evaluate the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the proposed action Consider lease action with other reasonably foreseeable actions in North Fork Valley. The BLM prepared a preliminary EA that incorporated by reference the USFS DEIS and supplemented the DEIS with additional analysis. This preliminary EA was posted for a 30- day public comment period on June 8, 2012. During this comment period the BLM received 11 comment letters that were not also sent to USFS as comments on the DEIS. Following the close of the public comment period, the BLM has continued to receive supplemental comment letters from Earth Justice; these letters were received on October 24, 2012, on November 13, 2012, and on November 21, 2012. Responses to these BLM - specific comments can be found in Appendix B of this BLM ROD. Mitigation for potential impacts to surface resources will take the form of USFS stipulations applied to lease modifications issued pursuant to this decision. The stipulations are described in detail in Appendix A of this ROD. In addition to the USFS stipulations that apply to the potential surface impacts associated with these lease modifications, the BLM, through this ROD, will apply mitigation for the release of methane gas from the mine. On January 14, 2009, the BLM and MCC executed lease addenda on COC -1362 and COC- 67232, which grant the following authority: Sec. 3. Notwithstanding the language in Section 2 of this lease and subject to the terms and conditions below, lessee is authorized to drill for, extract, remove, develop, produce and capture for use or sale any or all of the coal mine methane from the above described lands that it would otherwise be required to vent or discharge for safety purposes by applicable laws and regulations. For purposes of this lease. "coalmine methane" means any combustible gas located in, over. under or adjacent to the coal resources subject to this lease, that will or may infiltrate underground alining operations. Sec. 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this lease. nothing herein shall. nor shall it be interpreted to. waive. alter or amend lessee's right to vent, discharge or Otherwise dispose c dial aline methane as necessary feu mine safety or to mine the coal deposits