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

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BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA The lease modification action did not authorize mining activities or surface uses (such as exploration drilling). Those activities require review and authorization in a separate permitting process to be evaluated under the Colorado mine permitting regulations for their own merits (USFS, 2012a). This environmental assessment (EA) completed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) includes the analysis of site - specific surface disturbance associated with the proposed on- lease exploration plan, including access roads, drill pads, and reclamation. The effects disclosed in this EA are tiered to (40 CFR 1508.28) and include the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts described in the FEIS as Alternative 3 (to modify both leases under the Colorado Roadless Rule) (USFS, 2012a). The effects discussions in the FEIS are incorporated by reference, and summarized in this EA. 1.3 Location The proposed exploration area is located approximately 11 miles east of Paonia, Colorado and seven miles southeast of Somerset, Colorado. The area lies within a portion of Township 14 South, Range 90 West, 6th Prime Meridian, in Gunnison County. The exploration area is south and east of the West Elk underground coal mine (Figure 1). 1.4 Purpose and Need The BLM's purpose is to decide whether to approve the exploration plan and allow the activities to occur on the coal leases, consistent with lease rights granted, in the manner described in the plan, disapprove the plan with a statement of conformity, or approve the plan with additional conditions (43 CFR 3482.2(a)(1)), if needed to minimize impacts. The BLM's need is to respond to an application to explore the coal deposits in accordance with the federal lease agreements, NEPA, the Mineral Leasing Act, as amended by the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The BLM also needs to fulfill management obligations regarding the federal coal resource by obtaining information which allows the BLM to verify the recoverable reserves. 1.5 Cooperating Agencies The US Forest Service, GMUG is a cooperating agency in this analysis. The Forest Service is the surface management agency, but does not have a NEPA decision to make for this project. According to 43 CFR 3482.2(a)(1), the BLM must have concurrence of the surface managing agency for the approval terms of the exploration plan. The regulations also provide opportunity for the Forest Service to determine the adequacy of the reclamation bond amount. To that end, if the approval terms of exploration plan are acceptable, the Forest Service will provide concurrence and will review the reclamation bond amount to determine its adequacy. Forest Service regulations state that this type of action is not subject to appeal (36 CFR 215.12(h)) or objection (36 CFR 218.1). June 2013