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
2.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES
2.1 Alternatives
The proposed action and no action alternatives are described in this section along with a comparison
of actions. This section also includes a discussion of alternatives considered but not carried forward
for detailed analysis.
2.2 Proposed Action
The proposed action is for the BLM to approve the Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan to
conduct coal exploration activities. The exploration plan was submitted by ALC on behalf of MCC.
ALC will conduct the exploration activities. Exploration consists of drilling, obtaining e -logs down -
hole, and collecting core samples for testing.
Table 1 identifies the sites, locations, temporary access road lengths, and estimated disturbed
acreage of the 10 exploration sites proposed. The area is within existing coal leases held by MCC
(C -1362) and ALC (COC- 67232). Drilling locations and access are shown on Figure 2. Exploration
activities are scheduled to be completed within two years, 2013 and 2014. Exploration and
reclamation activities will be completed by October 31 each year.
Access road upgrades and new construction should begin one to two weeks prior to moving the drill
rig onto the site. The construction, drilling, and reclamation activities will take an average of 16
days per hole.
Roads needed for access will generally have a travel width of 14 feet wide. For construction road
width will generally be 30 to 45 feet. For the analysis, an average of 35 feet was used, which will
disturb 4.24 acres per mile. Drill pads will, at a maximum, disturb 0.46 acres per pad (Table 1).
Table 1. Disturbance Acres on National Forest
Drill Site
Year
Location (Township, Range, Section)
Feet of
Road on
National
Forest
Acres of Road
Disturbance
on National
Forest
Acres of Pad
Disturbance
on National
Forest
Road to
SST -4/5
2013
4134
3.32
0
SST -1
2014
T. 14S., R.90W., NE 1/4 SE 1/4 Sec. 10
2,087
1.68
0.46
SST -2
2013
T. 14S., R.90W., SE 1/4 NE 1/4 Sec. 15
1,725
1.39
0.46
SST -3
2014
T. 14S., R.90W., SE1 /4 NW1 /4 Sec. 14
778
0.63
0.46
SST -4
2013
T. 13S., R.90W., NW1 /4 NW1 /4 Sec. 14
2,226
1.79
0.46
SST -5
2013
T. 14S., R.90W., SE1 /4 SW1 /4 Sec. 11
3,573
2.87
0.46
SST -6
2013
T. 14S., R.90W., NE 1/4 SW 1/4 Sec. 11
3,085
2.48
0.46
SST -7
2014
T. 14S., R.90W., NE 1/4 SW 1/4 Sec. 14
3,045
2.45
0.46
SST -8
2014
T.14S., R.90W., NW1 /4 NE1 /4 Sec. 14
5,055
4.06
0.46
SST -9
2014
T. 14S., R.90W., SE 1/4 SE 1/4 Sec. 11
2,770
2.23
0.46
SST -10
2014
T.14S., R.90W., NW1 /4 SE1 /4 Sec. 14
2,692
2.16
0.46
Totals
31,170
25.06
4.60
Total National Forest Disturbance Acres
29.64
June 2013