2013-07-01_PERMIT FILE - X201322801 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: X201322801
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 7/1/2013
• Doc Name: BLM Environmental Assessment ‎(DOI-BLM-CO-S050-2013-0027 EA)‎
• Email Name: JDM
• Email Name: DIH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA
The entire drill pad area will be re- seeded
using the following seed mix (Table 2).
After seeding, the cleared brush will be
redistributed over the drill pad area to act
as natural mulch. This method has
proven successful for the revegetation of
previous drill sites.
Sediment control measures include slash,
silt fence, erosion control blankets, or
straw wattles.
Newly developed access roads will be
graded to the original contour as closely
as possible and re- seeded.
The drill pad and access roads
1 d 1 d b This seed will be 99 percent pure live seed (PLS) and hand broadcast.
Table 2. Paonia Ranger District Seed Mix
Habitat
Type
Grass Species Mix
Seeds/
Pound
Pounds/
Acre
Mountain
Shrub
Mountain Brome
90,000
5
Prairie Junegrass
2,315,400
4
Western Wheatgrass
126,000
6
Indian Ricegrass
188,000
4
Cicer Milkvetch
145,000
1
Total
20
Aspen/
Spruce/ Fir
Slender Wheatgrass
160,000
3
Mountain Brome
90,000
6
Canby Bluegrass
926,000
3
Idaho Fescue
450,000
2
Total
14
rec amation proce ure out me a ove
will apply only to newly disturbed areas. Existi
Forest's Travel Management Plan (USFS, 2010),
that observed upon ALC's entry into the area.
ig roads, as identified in the Gunnison National
will be left in a condition equal to or better than
After reclamation, newly constructed access roads to certain drill sites may be blocked and closed to
vehicle entry at the GMUG or surface owner's request. Alternate road closure methods may be
employed where practical after review with the Forest Service representative.
2.3 No Action
Under the no action alternative, the Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan will not be approved.
Based on MCC's assessment, not exploring the coal condition will result in an inability to acquire
the information necessary to develop a sufficient mine plan addressing the additional leased area
and; therefore, it is highly unlikely that mining will occur in these specific areas. For the purposes
of the analysis, no action would result in no mining on the lease modification areas. Under no
action, current reserves at the mine will be depleted in 9 to 11 years, followed by mine closure. The
mine life will not be extended approximately three years. The leases provide the right for MCC to
conduct exploration, therefore, no action is inconsistent with lease rights granted.
On -going land uses will continue including continued recreation and grazing. The land would
continue to be managed according to the amended Land and Resource Management Plan (USFS,
1983) standards, goals, and guidelines.
2.4 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis
An alternative may be considered during the environmental analysis process, but not analyzed in
detail. The agency must identify those alternatives and briefly explain why they were eliminated
from detailed analysis (40 CFR 1502.14). An alternative may be eliminated from detailed study if:
it is ineffective (does not respond to the purpose and need for the proposed action);
• it is technically or economically infeasible (considering whether implementation of the
alternative is likely, given past and current practice and technology);
June 2013