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

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BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA 3.11.2 Environmental Consequences 3.11.2.1 Proposed Action Direct and Indirect Effects Lease stipulations prohibit surface disturbance in riparian, wetland or floodplain areas, or within the buffer zone surrounding these areas, unless no practical alternatives exist. The GMUG Forest Plan and the Forest Service Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook require limiting ground- disturbing activities on unstable slopes and highly erosive areas, as well as avoidance of wetlands or other riparian habitats. Due to the watershed related lease stipulations and the adherence to Forest Service policy these areas will be minimized or avoided. Wetlands have been avoided by road and drill pad locations. There will be no direct impacts from disturbance on wetlands. Very minor impacts on riparian vegetation may occur where new temporary roads will cross streams. Also, an indirect impact may occur if minimal amounts of sediment may enter streams and cause sediment input to wetlands and riparian areas and aquatic habitat near a stream crossing. These effects would be so minimal as to be unnoticeable. Cumulative Effects Grazing can result in loss of riparian vegetation. As the direct and indirect effects on riparian vegetation are anticipated to be unnoticeable, the cumulative effects will be minor. 3.11.2.2 No Action The no action alternative would not cause disturbances that would affect riparian areas or wetlands. 3.12 Water Quality 3.12.1 Affected Environment The East Fork of Minnesota Creek, just west of the lease modification areas, and Deep Creek, just northeast of the exploration area, drain to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The North Fork of the Gunnison River joins the Gunnison River downstream of Hotchkiss. There are two US Geological Survey monitoring locations along this reach: North Fork of the Gunnison River near Somerset, Colorado (Station No. 09132500) and North Fork of the Gunnison River below Leroux Creek, near Hotchkiss, Colorado (Station No. 09135950). Stream flow has been monitored at the station near Somerset since October 1933. The drainage area at the Somerset area is 526 square miles (FEIS, page 105) (USFS, 2012a). 3.12.1.1 Surface Water Figure 2 shows the streams in the exploration area, along with the temporary road locations and drilling sites. The Miller Creek subwatershed is the main watershed and includes Lick Creek, South Prong Creek, and Horse Creek. A small portion drains to the northeast into Deep Creek. Both drainages eventually empty into the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Lick Creek is an intermittent drainage with zero flow conditions typically occurring August through March. South Prong Creek and Horse Creek, as reported by MCC data, are ephemeral and flow only in response to spring runoff conditions and storm events. June 2013 27