Laserfiche WebLink
United States Forest Paonia ~ <br />~'~ P.O, Box 1030 <br />~ <br />Department of Service Ranger District N Rio Grande Ave. <br />Agriculture PHONE NO. 970-527-4131 Paonia, CO 81428 <br /> FAX 970-527-4151 <br />File Code: 2520_4 <br />Date: June 17, 2002 <br />Mr. Joe Dudash <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Joe, <br />REC~IV~D <br />JUN 1 ~ yppp <br />Oioision of Minerals and Geology <br />The Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) has reviewed Bowie <br />Resources Limited's (BRLs) Technical Revision 23 (TR-23) that would add five methane de-gas <br />drill holes and four coal exploration holes to their existing mine permit. These activities are <br />proposed on surface lands administered by the GMUG. <br />The GMUG completed an environmental assessment and issued a Decision Notice and Finding <br />of No Significant hnpact (DN/FONSI) for methane de-gas wells and additional coal exploration <br />holes in January 2002. The DN/FONSI is attached for your reference. Some of the activities <br />analyzed in the EA aze proposed in TR-23. In our review, we find the following items discrepant <br />with our analysis and approvals: <br />1. The table on page 2.05-33 lists the five methane de-gas holes as GVB-D-BA, 8B, 8C, and <br />GVB-D-9A and 9B. It also lists the four coal exploration holes as IP99-11, 14, 16, 17 . In a <br />meeting with Greg Hunt of BRL on June 10, 2002, he provided the GMUG with a list of their <br />planned drilling for 2002. According to a spreadsheet Greg provided (also attached for your <br />reference), they plan to drill the 5 de-gas holes as listed, and the exploration holes they plan to <br />drill are 1P99-16 and 19. Therefore the table on page 2.05-33 is incorrect in listing IP99-11, 14 <br />and 17. <br />Further, the EA completed by the GMUG did not consider drilling at IP99-14. In addition, BRL <br />has informed us that they have dropped this location from their potential plans. <br />2. On Map 9, hole IP99-14 is shown with a road access in green. As stated above, this hole and <br />access were not analyzed in the GMUG EA, and therefore were not approved. These need to be <br />removed From the map. <br />3. Map 9 also shows a road alignment in green labeled the "Plantation-east extension" that <br />would access GVB-D-8A, 8B, D-9A and 9B. This alignment varies from what was analyzed in <br />the EA. These road alignments need to be reconciled with what was approved in the EA. <br />4. The portion of the proposed road in Sheep Corral Gulch leading from GVB-DB-C southeast to <br />the forest boundary has not been approved. BRL has indicated a desire to use this alignment, <br />however they have noY formally applied for it. The GMUG will need to complete additional <br />NEPA analysis in order to approve this use. This also needs to be removed from Map 9. <br />Caring for the Land and Serving People Panted pn Rerycled Paper ~~~ <br />