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Table of Contents

Volume I

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................................ABS-1

SUMMARY........................................................................................................................................................SUM-1

Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................SUM-1

The Planning Area.................................................................................................................................SUM-1

Preparers of the SEIS ............................................................................................................................SUM-1

Coal Bed Natural Gas............................................................................................................................SUM-2

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need .............................................................................................................................SUM-2

Conformance with BLM Land Use Plans..............................................................................................SUM-4

Consultation ..........................................................................................................................................SUM-4

Chapter 2: Alternatives........................................................................................................................................SUM-6

Alternatives Considered ........................................................................................................................SUM-6

Chapter 3: Affected Environment.......................................................................................................................SUM-8

Chapter 4: Environmental Consequences............................................................................................................SUM-9

Resources with Low Intensity Impacts..................................................................................................SUM-9

Resource Impacts that are Important Features of Alternative H............................................................SUM-9

Chapter 5: Consultation and Coordination ........................................................................................................SUM-11

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS..........................................................................................................ACR-1

CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION ..................................................................................1-1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................1-1

Conformance with the BLM Land Use Plans.............................................................................................................1-1

The Planning Area ......................................................................................................................................................1-2

Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................................................................................1-2

Planning Criteria.........................................................................................................................................................1-4

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................1-4

Overall Considerations.................................................................................................................................1-4

Roles and Agency Responsibilities.............................................................................................................................1-5

Bureau of Land Management .......................................................................................................................1-5

State of Montana ..........................................................................................................................................1-7

Tribal Governments....................................................................................................................................1-11

Other Federal Agencies..............................................................................................................................1-12

Agency Permits and Reviews.....................................................................................................................1-14

Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................1-18

Statewide Document ..................................................................................................................................1-18

SEIS............................................................................................................................................................1-21

CHAPTER 2: ALTERNATIVES............................................................................................................................2-1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................2-1

Alternatives Development ..........................................................................................................................................2-1

Air Quality and Climate ...............................................................................................................................2-1

Coal Mines...................................................................................................................................................2-2

Coal Bed Methane........................................................................................................................................2-2

Hydrology ....................................................................................................................................................2-2

Realty ...........................................................................................................................................................2-2

Indian Trust Resources.................................................................................................................................2-2

Environmental Mitigation ............................................................................................................................2-3

Alternatives Considered But Not Analyzed in Detail.................................................................................................2-3

Leasing .........................................................................................................................................................2-3

Bonding ........................................................................................................................................................2-3

Omega Alternative .......................................................................................................................................2-3
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Alternate Sources of Energy.........................................................................................................................2-3

Re-Injection of Produced Water into the Same Aquifer Alternative............................................................2-3

Phased Development (other than Alternatives F, G and H) .........................................................................2-4

Management Common to All Alternatives.................................................................................................................2-5

Bureau of Land Management .......................................................................................................................2-5

State of Montana ..........................................................................................................................................2-6

Surface Use Agreements..............................................................................................................................2-6

Water Well Mitigation Agreements .............................................................................................................2-6

3104 Bonds...................................................................................................................................................2-6

Mitigation Measures.....................................................................................................................................2-7

Management Actions Specific to Each Alternative ....................................................................................................2-7

Alternative A—No Action (Existing Management)...................................................................................2-10

Alternative B—Emphasize Soil, Water, Air, Vegetation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources......................2-11

Alternative C—Emphasize CBNG Development ......................................................................................2-12

Alternative D—Encourage Exploration and Development While Maintaining Existing Land Uses.........2-12

Alternative E—CBNG Exploration and Development with Enhanced Mitigation to Minimize

Environmental Impacts While Maintaining Existing Land Uses ...............................................................2-13

Alternative F – Phased Development Multiple Screens (High Range) ......................................................2-17

Alternative G – Phased Development Multiple Screens (Low Range) ......................................................2-20

Alternative H – Preferred Alternative - Multiple Screens..........................................................................2-20

Comparison of Alternatives......................................................................................................................................2-28

CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT........................................................................................................3-1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................3-1

Air Quality and Climate .............................................................................................................................................3-1

Topography ..................................................................................................................................................3-1

Climate and Meteorology.............................................................................................................................3-1

Existing Air Quality .....................................................................................................................................3-1

Existing Monitoring Network ......................................................................................................................3-4

Regulatory Framework.................................................................................................................................3-5

Climate Change ..........................................................................................................................................................3-8

Cultural and Historical..............................................................................................................................................3-11

Geology and Minerals ..............................................................................................................................................3-17

Regional Geology.......................................................................................................................................3-21

Stratigraphy ................................................................................................................................................3-21

Sediments in the Powder River Basin ........................................................................................................3-26

Conventional Oil and Gas ..........................................................................................................................3-28

Coal Bed Natural Gas.................................................................................................................................3-29

Coal ............................................................................................................................................................3-31

Mineral Materials.......................................................................................................................................3-31

Locatable Minerals.....................................................................................................................................3-31

Geologic Hazards.......................................................................................................................................3-31

Methane Seepage, Migration and Venting .................................................................................................3-32

Hydrological Resources............................................................................................................................................3-35

Surface Water.............................................................................................................................................3-35

Groundwater...............................................................................................................................................3-44

Water Rights...............................................................................................................................................3-52

Existing Wells and Springs ........................................................................................................................3-53

Water Management ....................................................................................................................................3-55

Indian Trust Assets...................................................................................................................................................3-59

Background ................................................................................................................................................3-59

Applicable Laws.........................................................................................................................................3-59

The Crow Tribe ..........................................................................................................................................3-60

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe....................................................................................................................3-60

The Turtle Mountain Public Domain Allotments.......................................................................................3-61

Lands and Realty ......................................................................................................................................................3-62
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Livestock Grazing.....................................................................................................................................................3-65

Native American Concerns.......................................................................................................................................3-66

The Crow Reservation................................................................................................................................3-66

Northern Cheyenne Reservation.................................................................................................................3-75

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe............................................................................................................................3-89

Paleontological Resources........................................................................................................................................3-90

Recreation ..............................................................................................................................................................3-91

Federal........................................................................................................................................................3-91

State............................................................................................................................................................3-91

Local/City Recreation.................................................................................................................................3-91

Private Lands..............................................................................................................................................3-91

Social and Economic Values....................................................................................................................................3-93

Demographics.............................................................................................................................................3-93

Social Organization ....................................................................................................................................3-96

Economics..................................................................................................................................................3-98

Government Revenue Sources .................................................................................................................3-102

Environmental Justice ..............................................................................................................................3-107

Soils ............................................................................................................................................................3-109

Irrigated Soils...........................................................................................................................................3-109

Solid and Hazardous Wastes ..................................................................................................................................3-110

Vegetation ............................................................................................................................................................3-111

Plant Communities...................................................................................................................................3-111

Species of Concern...................................................................................................................................3-112

Visual Resource Management ................................................................................................................................3-114

Wilderness Study Areas..........................................................................................................................................3-115

Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................................3-116

Mammals..................................................................................................................................................3-116

Birds.........................................................................................................................................................3-117

Reptiles and Amphibians..........................................................................................................................3-123

Species of Concern...................................................................................................................................3-123

State Species of Special Concern .............................................................................................................3-125

Wildlife Surveys and Monitoring Since the Statewide Document ...........................................................3-133

Aquatic Resources....................................................................................................................................3-139

CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .....................................................................................4-1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................4-1

Analysis Assumptions and Guidelines .......................................................................................................................4-1

Potential for Development—Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenarios ..........................................4-1

Assumptions Common to All Alternatives.................................................................................................4-10

Resource Topics .......................................................................................................................................................4-18

Air Quality and Climate .............................................................................................................................4-18

Cultural Resources .....................................................................................................................................4-62

Geology and Minerals................................................................................................................................4-69

Hydrological Resources .............................................................................................................................4-84

Indian Trust and Native American Concerns ...........................................................................................4-136

Lands and Realty......................................................................................................................................4-149

Livestock Grazing ....................................................................................................................................4-160

Paleontological Resources........................................................................................................................4-166

Recreation ................................................................................................................................................4-170

Social and Economic Values....................................................................................................................4-176

Soils..........................................................................................................................................................4-222

Solid and Hazardous Waste......................................................................................................................4-233

Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................4-237

Visual Resource Management..................................................................................................................4-251

Wilderness Study Areas ...........................................................................................................................4-256

Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................................4-258
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TABLES

1-1 APPLICABLE PERMITS/REVIEWS FOR OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ...............1-15

1-2 PERMITTABLE ACTIVITIES FOR CBNG DEVELOPMENT .............................................................1-17

2-1 MITIGATION MEASURES COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES.......................................................2-8

2-2 ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT FOR CBNG .....................................................................................2-29

2-3 COMPARISON SUMMARY OF IMPACTS............................................................................................2-34

3-1 BACKGROUND CONCENTRATIONS OF REGULATED AIR POLLUTANTS ...................................3-3

3-2 APPLICABLE AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS AND PSD INCREMENT VALUES.............3-7

3-3 CULTURAL RESOURCE SITES IDENTIFIED BY SHPO WITHIN EACH COUNTY OF THE 

PLANNING AREA....................................................................................................................................3-12

3-4 CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORIES FOR COAL BED NATURAL GAS AND 

OTTER CREEK COAL TRACTS.............................................................................................................3-14

3-5 CBNG PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED AND APPROVED APDS.........................................3-29

3-6 MONTANA STATE NUMERICAL STANDARDS FOR PRB WATERSHEDS....................................3-39

3-7 SURFACE WATER DISCHARGE AND WATER QUALITY FOR MINIMUM MEAN 

MONTHLY FLOWS AT SELECTED USGS STATIONS.......................................................................3-40

3-8 WATER USE (IN MILLIONS OF GALLONS PER DAY [GPD]) STATISTICS IN 1995 BY 

WATERSHED SURFACE AND/OR GROUNDWATER USE................................................................3-41

3-9 IMPAIRED WATER BODIES IN AREA OF MAXIMUM CBNG POTENTIAL...................................3-42

3-10 PLANNING AREA AQUIFERS AND THEIR GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS ................................3-46

3-11 GROUNDWATER QUALITY FOR THE MONTANA PORTION OF THE POWDER RIVER 

BASIN - SELECTED GROUNDWATER QUALITY DATA COLLECTED FROM WATER 

SUPPLY WELLS LOCATED THROUGHOUT MONTANA POWDER RIVER BASIN......................3-53

3-12 WATER RIGHTS DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY BY WATERSHED ..................................................3-53

3-13 INDIAN TRUST ASSETS.........................................................................................................................3-59

3-14 LAND ADMINISTRATION .....................................................................................................................3-63

3-15 MILES OF ROAD/HIGHWAY.................................................................................................................3-64

3-16 MILES OF RAILROAD ROW..................................................................................................................3-64

3-17 TRIBAL POVERTY RATES AMONG THOSE EMPLOYED (1999).....................................................3-67

3-18 AVERAGE ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BY RESERVATION............................................3-68

3-19 GROUNDWATER SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO AND TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS 

VALUES CROW RESERVATION...........................................................................................................3-72

3-20 AVERAGE ANNUAL GAGE AND ESTIMATED NATURAL FLOWS FOR THE 

TONGUE RIVER NEAR THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE RESERVATION (STUDY 

PERIOD 1940-1982, HKM 1983)..............................................................................................................3-80

3-21 AVERAGE ESTIMATED NATURAL FLOWS FOR ROSEBUD CREEK, NORTHERN 

CHEYENNE RESERVATION (STUDY PERIOD 1939-1981) ...............................................................3-80

3-22 COMPARISON OF PREVIOUSLY CITED WATER-QUALITY PARAMETERS WITH 

LONG-TERM AVERAGE FIGURES, TONGUE RIVER AT STATE LINE..........................................3-81

3-23 WATER-QUALITY OF THE ALLUVIUM ON THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE RESERVATION.....3-84

3-24 NORTHERN CHEYENNE NUMERIC STANDARDS FOR EC AND SAR AND TDS 

INDICATOR VALUES .............................................................................................................................3-87

3-25 HISTORICAL POPULATION AND POPULATION FORECASTS .......................................................3-93

3-26 RACE/ETHNICITY AS PERCENT OF TOTAL POPULATION ............................................................3-94

3-27 POVERTY STATUS BY COUNTY (AS DEFINED BY U.S. CENSUS BUREAU) (1997)...................3-95

3-28 HOUSING UNITS .....................................................................................................................................3-96

3-29 MONTANA EMPLOYMENT TRENDS BY SECTOR............................................................................3-98
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3-30 STATE EMPLOYMENT VERSUS PLANNING AREA EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR (1998)...........3-99

3-31 PLANNING AREA EMPLOYMENT BY COUNTY AND SECTOR (1998)........................................3-100

3-32 AVERAGE ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BY COUNTY .....................................................3-101

3-33 TRIBAL WORKFORCE AND UNEMPLOYMENT (1999)..................................................................3-101

3-34 PER CAPITA INCOME, 1996-1998 .......................................................................................................3-102

3-35 TOTAL TAXES COLLECTED IN MONTANA (2004).........................................................................3-103

3-36 REVENUES RECEIVED FROM MINERALS MANAGEMENT ON STATE LANDS IN 

FISCAL YEARS 2000 AND 2005...........................................................................................................3-104

3-37 ONSHORE FEDERAL MINERAL REVENUE DISBURSEMENTS IDENTIFIED BY 

COUNTY OF ORIGIN, FISCAL YEAR 2000, MONTANA..................................................................3-104

3-38 ONSHORE FEDERAL MINERAL REVENUE DISBURSEMENTS, FISCAL YEAR 2005, 

MONTANA .............................................................................................................................................3-106

3-39 ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND PROPOSED ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT IN 

THE SEIS PLANNING AREA................................................................................................................3-124

3-40 CHARACTERISTICS OF SAGE-GROUSE SEASONAL HABITATS.................................................3-127

3-41 SAGE-GROUSE ACTIVE LEK AVERAGE MALE HIGH COUNTS IN THE PLANNING 

AREA, 1995 TO 2004.............................................................................................................................3-127

3-42 RAPTOR NESTS SURVEYED AND MONITORED IN THE CBNG AREA, 2003-2005 ...................3-134

3-43 RAPTOR NESTS LOCATED IN THE FIDELITY’S MONTANA 2002 AND 2003

DRILLING AREA IN BIG HORN COUNTY, MONTANA 2002 .........................................................3-134

3-44 RAPTOR NESTS LOCATED IN THE FIDELITY’S MONTANA PROPOSED COAL 

CREEK POD, BIG HORN COUNTY, MONTANA 2002.....................................................................3-135

3-45 RAPTOR NESTS LOCATED IN THE FIDELITY’S COALBED NATURAL GAS 

DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN BIG HORN COUNTY, MONTANA 2002 ............................................3-136

3-46 RAPTOR NESTS LOCATED IN THE FIDELITY’S COALBED NATURAL GAS 

DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN BIG HORN COUNTY, MONTANA 2005 ............................................3-136

3-47 RAPTOR NESTS LOCATED DURING THE POWDER RIVER COUNTY SURVEYS, 2005 ...........3-137

3-48 RAPTOR NEST FOUND DURING THE BIG HORN COUNTY SURVEYS, 2004.............................3-137

3-49 SPECIAL STATUS AQUATIC SPECIES PRESENT IN THE CBNG PLANNING AREA .................3-145

4-1 PREDICTED APDS/WATERSHED UNDER ALTERNATIVE F HIGH-RANGE, PHASED 

CBNG DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................................4-5

4-2 PREDICTED APDS/WATERSHED UNDER ALTERNATIVE G LOW-RANGE, PHASED CBNG 

DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................................................................4-5

4-3 ALTERNATIVE F ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT RATE (APDS) ...........................................................4-6

4-4 ALTERNATIVE G ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT RATE (APDS)...........................................................4-7

4-5 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE H ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT RATE (APDS) ...................................4-8

4-6 LEVEL OF DISTURBANCE ....................................................................................................................4-11

4-7 NON-PROJECT AND PROJECT TOTAL EMISSIONS SUMMARY ....................................................4-22

4-8 ALTERNATIVE A—PROJECT SOURCES CRITERIA POLLUTANT IMPACTS...............................4-27

4-9 ALTERNATIVE A POTENTIAL NAAQS/ MAAQS EXCEEDANCES.................................................4-27

4-10 ALTERNATIVE A POTENTIAL PSD INCREMENT EXCEEDANCES ...............................................4-27

4-11 ALTERNATIVE A CLASS I AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS ..........................................4-29

4-12 ALTERNATIVE A CLASS II AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS.........................................4-29

4-13 ALTERNATIVE B—PROJECT SOURCES CRITERIA POLLUTANT IMPACTS...............................4-31

4-14 ALTERNATIVE B POTENTIAL NAAQS/MAAQS EXCEEDANCES..................................................4-33

4-15 ALTERNATIVE B POTENTIAL PSD INCREMENT EXCEEDANCES................................................4-33

4-16 ALTERNATIVE B CLASS I AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS ..........................................4-34
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4-17 ALTERNATIVE B CLASS II AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS.........................................4-35

4-18 ALTERNATIVE D—PROJECT SOURCES CRITERIA POLLUTANT IMPACTS...............................4-37

4-19 ALTERNATIVE D—POTENTIAL PSD INCREMENTS EXCEEDANCES ..........................................4-37

4-20 ALTERNATIVE D POTENTIAL PSD INCREMENTS EXCEEDANCES .............................................4-37

4-21 ALTERNATIVE D CLASS I AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS ..........................................4-39

4-22 ALTERNATIVE D CLASS II AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS.........................................4-39

4-23 ALTERNATIVE E PROJECT SOURCES CRITERIA POLLUTANT IMPACTS ..................................4-41

4-24 ALTERNATIVE E POTENTIAL PSD INCREMENTS EXCEEDANCES..............................................4-44

4-25 ALTERNATIVE E CLASS I AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS...........................................4-45

4-26 ALTERNATIVE E CLASS II AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS .........................................4-46

4-27 ALTERNATIVE F—PROJECT SOURCES CRITERIA POLLUTANT IMPACTS ...............................4-48

4-28 ALTERNATIVE F CLASS I AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS...........................................4-49

4-29 ALTERNATIVE F CLASS II AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS .........................................4-49

4-30 ALTERNATIVE H (SCENARIO 1)—PROJECT SOURCES CRITERIA POLLUTANT IMPACTS ....4-51

4-31 ALTERNATIVE H (SCENARIO 1) —CLASS I AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS............4-52

4-32 ALTERNATIVE H (SCENARIO 1) —CLASS II AREA POTENTIAL VISIBILITY IMPACTS ..........4-53

4-CC-1 PROJECTED CO2 EMISSIONS FROM CBNG DEVELOPMENT BASED ON THE RFD 

FOR ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E ..................................................................................................4-59

4-CC-2 PROJECTED CBNG CO2 AND CH4 EMISSIONS BY ALTERNATIVE OVER THE LIFE 

OF THE PROJECT ....................................................................................................................................4-59

4-CC-3 COMPARISON OF MONTANA, U.S. AND GLOBAL CO2E EMISSIONS & 

PROJECTIONS TO CO2E EMISSIONS PROJECTED FOR CBNG DEVELOPMENT IN 

MONTANA ...............................................................................................................................................4-60

4-33 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF THE TONGUE RIVER UNDER ALTERNATIVE A ............4-92

4-34 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS IN THE POWDER RIVER UNDER ALTERNATIVE A.............4-93

4-35 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF THE LITTLE POWDER RIVER UNDER 

ALTERNATIVE A ....................................................................................................................................4-94

4-36 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER OF MIZPAH CREEK UNDER ALTERNATIVE A .......................4-95

4-37 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN AND BIGHORN 

RIVERS UNDER ALTERNATIVE A .....................................................................................................4-96

4-38 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER OF ROSEBUD CREEK UNDER ALTERNATIVE A....................4-97

4-39 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER UNDER 

ALTERNATIVE A ....................................................................................................................................4-97

4-40 GROUNDWATER DEPLETION BY CBNG DEVELOPMENT IN THE MONTANA 

POWDER RIVER BASIN .......................................................................................................................4-102

4-41 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF THE TONGUE RIVER UNDER ALTERNATIVE C ..........4-105

4-42 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS IN THE POWDER RIVER UNDER ALTERNATIVE C...........4-106

4-43 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS IN THE MIZPAH CREEK UNDER ALTERNATIVE C ...........4-107

4-44 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF THE BIGHORN AND LITTLE BIGHORN RIVERS 

UNDER ALTERNATIVE C....................................................................................................................4-108

4-45 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER OF ROSEBUD CREEK UNDER ALTERNATIVE C..................4-108

4-46 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER UNDER 

ALTERNATIVE C ..................................................................................................................................4-110

4-47 SUMMARY OF SURFACE WATER PARAMETERS BEFORE AND AFTER MIXING

UNTREATED CBNG DISCHARGE FROM WYOMING AND TREATED CBNG DISCHARGES 

FROM MONTANA UNDER ALTERNATIVE D..................................................................................4-112
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4-48 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER FORECAST TO THE TONGUE RIVER UNDER 

ALTERNATIVE E...................................................................................................................................4-115

4-49 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN AND BIGHORN RIVERS 

UNDER ALTERNATIVE E....................................................................................................................4-117

4-50 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER IN THE ROSEBUD CREEK UNDER ALTERNATIVE E .........4-118

4-51 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER IN THE POWDER RIVER UNDER ALTERNATIVE E .............4-119

4-52 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATERS OF MIZPAH CREEK DRAINAGE UNDER 

ALTERNATIVE E...................................................................................................................................4-120

4-53 EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER IN THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER UNDER 

ALTERNATIVE E...................................................................................................................................4-120

4-54 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON SURFACE WATERS UNDER WYOMING’S 

ALTERNATIVE 2A AND MONTANA’S ALTERNATIVE E..............................................................4-121

4-55 WATERSHED UNTREATED DISCHARGE LIMITS ..........................................................................4-124

4-56 ACRES OF LAND DISTURBANCE FOR CBNG WELL EXPLORATION, 

CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION BY ALTERNATIVE...............................................................4-152

4-57 NUMBER OF PREDICTED ANIMAL UNIT MONTHS (AUMs) LOST TO 

EXPLORATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PRODUCTION FOR ALTERNATIVE B........................4-162

4-58 ALTERNATIVE A: ESTIMATED WAGES AND JOBS FOR WELL DEVELOPMENT, 

PRODUCTION, AND ABANDONMENT (WAGES REPORTED IN CONSTANT 

DOLLARS)..............................................................................................................................................4-181

4-59 ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E: ESTIMATED WAGES AND JOBS FOR WELL 

DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, AND ABANDOMENT (WAGES REPORTED IN 

CONSTANT DOLLARS)........................................................................................................................4-185

4-60 TOTAL PROJECTED WELLS AND PERCENT BY COUNTY ...........................................................4-187

4-61 ALTERNATIVES F AND H: ESTIMATED WAGES AND JOBS FOR WELL 

DEVLOPMENT, PRODUCTION, AND ABANDONMENT (WAGES REPORTED IN 

CONSTANT DOLLARS)........................................................................................................................4-196

4-62 ALTERNATIVE G: ESTIMATED WAGES AND JOBS FOR WELL DEVELOPMENT, 

PRODUCTION AND ABANDONMENT (WAGES REPORTED IN CONSTANT DOLLARS).........4-202

4-63 EXAMPLE: PARTIAL BLM DISTRICT-WIDE WEED PREVENTION SCHEDULE........................4-239

4-64 AMOUNT OF ACREAGE WITH UNDERLYING COAL BEDS IN EACH HABITAT 

TYPE (BY RMP AREA AND STATE LAND) ......................................................................................4-241

4-65 ACREAGE POTENTIALLY IMPACTED IN EACH HABITAT TYPE FOR 

ALTERNATIVE A (BY RMP AREA AND STATE-PERMITTED LAND) .........................................4-242

4-66 ACRES OF LAND AND LENGTH OF ROADS AND UTILITY CORRIDORS DIRECTLY 

IMPACTED BY NEW CBNG CONSTRUCTION .................................................................................4-244

4-67 EXISTING WILDLIFE-RELATED LEASE STIPULATIONS COVERING CBNG

EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ON BLM-ADMINISTERED SURFACES..........................4-260

4-68 VULNERABILITY OF WILDLIFE TO TYPES OF CBM IMPACTS, ALTERNATIVE A.................4-266

4-69 AREA OF DIRECT IMPACTS AND INDIRECT WILDLIFE DISTURBANCE AND 

DISPLACEMENT WITHIN AND AROUND CBNG WELL FIELDS FOR MORE 

SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES FOR ALTERNATIVES B THROUGH G AND H.........................4-275

4-70 AREA OF POTENTIAL INDIRECT WILDLIFE DISTURBANCE AND DISPLACEMENT 

WITHIN AND AROUND STANDARD-SIZED CBNG WELL FIELDS FOR MORE 

SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES BY 4TH ORDER WATERSHED, ALTERNATIVES B, 

C, D, E, F, AND H ...................................................................................................................................4-284

4-71 AREA OF POTENTIAL INDIRECT WILDLIFE DISTURBANCE AND DISPLACEMENT 

WITHIN AND AROUND STANDARD-SIZED CBNG WELL FIELDS FOR MORE 

SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES BY 4TH ORDER WATERSHED UNDER 

ALTERNATIVE G ..................................................................................................................................4-286
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FIGURES

2-1 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE – DECISION FLOW CHART ...............................................................2-21

3-CC-1 IPCC ESTIMATED CHANGE IN CO2 OVER TIME ................................................................................3-8

3CC-2 ANNUAL MEAN TEMPERATURE CHANGE FOR NORTHERN LATITUDES...................................3-9

3-CC-3 MILES CITY MEAN ANNUAL TEMPERATURES 1937-2007...............................................................3-9

3-1 STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN OF THE TERTIARY, MESOZOIC AND PART OF THE 

PALEOZOIC SEDIMENTS IN THE MONTANA AND WYOMING PORTIONS OF THE POWDER 

RIVER BASIN...........................................................................................................................................3-24

3-2 STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN OF UPPER CRETACEOUS AND LOWER TERTIARY 

SEDIMENTS IN THE POWDER RIVER BASIN....................................................................................3-25

3-3 STRATIGRAPHIC VARIATION OF THE ANDERSON-CANYON COALS IN THE AREA OF 

THE DECKER MINE, POWDER RIVER BASIN, MONTANA .............................................................3-28

3-4 UPPER TONGUE WATERSHED POD LOCATION MAP.....................................................................3-30

3-5 LOWER TONGUE AND MIDDLE POWDER WATERSHED POD LOCATION MAP .......................3-31

3-6 VARIATION IN SURFACE WATER QUALITY WITH FLOW AT USGS STATION 06306300 ON 

THE TONGUE RIVER NEAR DECKER, BASED UPON USGS DATA FROM NOVEMBER 1985 

TO SEPTEMBER 2004..............................................................................................................................3-40

3-7 MAJOR BEDROCK AQUIFERS WITH THE PLANNING AREAS.......................................................3-45

3-8 OBSERVED WATER PRODUCTION VERSUS CBNG FEIS ASSUMED WATER PRODUCTION 

RATE FOR THE MONTANA PORTION OF THE POWDER RIVER BASIN ......................................3-51

4-1 ALTERNATIVE F ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT RATE .........................................................................4-6

4-1A ALTERNATIVE G ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT RATE.........................................................................4-7

4-2 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE H ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT RATE .................................................4-9

4-3 CBNG PRODUCTION CX RANCH FIELD ............................................................................................4-16

4-4 DEPRESSURIZATION OF CBNG STRATA AND METHANE PRODUCTION..................................4-72

4-5 WATER QUALITY PLOT BEFORE AND AFTER MIXING WITH WYOMING’S ALTERNATIVE 

2A AND MONTANA’S ALTERNATIVE E CBBG DISCHARGES TONGUE RIVER NEAR 

DECKER, MONTANA............................................................................................................................4-115

MAPS

1-1 PLANNING AREA-BILLINGS AND POWDER RMP AREAS................................................................1-3

3-1 TECTONIC ELEMENT MAP OF THE STATE OF MONTANA ...........................................................3-18

3-2 STATEWIDE OUTCROP GEOLOGY .....................................................................................................3-19

3-3 STATEWIDE COAL OCCURRENCE MAP............................................................................................3-20

3-4 OUTCROP GEOLOGY AND CLINKER DEPOSITS OF THE MONTANA PORTION OF 

POWDER RIVER BASIN .........................................................................................................................3-22

3-5 WATER WELL USE, CURRENT CBM PRODUCTION, AND CBM LIKELIHOOD IN POWDER 

RIVER BASIN...........................................................................................................................................3-23

3-6 SURFICIAL AQUIFERS...........................................................................................................................3-36

3-7 SURFICIAL AQUIFERS – WATER QUALITY......................................................................................3-37

3-8 POWDER RIVER BASIN WATERSHEDS AND AREA USGS GAUGING STATIONS .....................3-38

3-9 BEDROCK AQUIFERS ............................................................................................................................3-49

3-10 BEDROCK AQUIFERS – WATER QUALITY........................................................................................3-50

3-11 CURRENT CBNG PRODUCTION, AND SPRINGS IN THE POWDER RIVER BASIN .....................3-54

3-12 ELK WINTER RANGE IN THE CBNG PLANNING AREA................................................................3-118

3-13 MULE DEER WINTER RANGE IN THE CBNG PLANNING AREA.................................................3-119

3-14 WHITE-TAILED DEER WINTER RANGE IN THE CBNG PLANNING AREA................................3-120
TOC-9

3-15 PRONGHORN ANTELOPE WINTER RANGE IN THE CBNG PLANNING AREA .........................3-121

3-16 GREATER SAGE-GROUSE DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE CBNG PLANNING AREA.................3-128

3-17 BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT MONTANA/DAKOTAS AND WYOMING GREATER 

SAGE-GROUSE STRUTTING MALE DENSITIES..............................................................................3-131

3-18 CRUCIAL SAGE-GROUSE HABITAT AREAS ...................................................................................3-132

4-1 CBM DEVELOPMENT BASED ON REASONABLY FORESEEABLE DEVELOPMENT 

SCENARIO..................................................................................................................................................4-3

4-2 LOCATION MAP, REGIONAL COAL MINES ......................................................................................4-99

4-3 EXISTING CBNG DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CBNG PLANNING AREA................................4-178

Volume II

CHAPTER 5: CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ................................................................................5-1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................5-1

Public Participation.....................................................................................................................................................5-1

Consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Threatened and Endangered Species ......................................5-2

Consultation and Coordination with Native American Tribes....................................................................................5-3

Consistency ................................................................................................................................................................5-3

Comments and Responses ..........................................................................................................................................5-4

Air Quality and Climate ...............................................................................................................................5-4

Aquatic Resources......................................................................................................................................5-17

Cultural Resources .....................................................................................................................................5-20

Geology and Minerals................................................................................................................................5-24

Hydrological Resources .............................................................................................................................5-27

Indian Trust and Native American Concerns .............................................................................................5-50

Paleontological Resources..........................................................................................................................5-56

Social and Economic Values......................................................................................................................5-57

Environmental Justice ................................................................................................................................5-59

Soils............................................................................................................................................................5-59

Vegetation ..................................................................................................................................................5-60

Visual Resource Management....................................................................................................................5-62

Wildlife ......................................................................................................................................................5-62

Alternatives ................................................................................................................................................5-76

Monitoring..................................................................................................................................................5-81

Other Comments ........................................................................................................................................5-81

Distribution List........................................................................................................................................................5-84

List of Preparers......................................................................................................................................................5-118

Official Cooperating Agencies.................................................................................................................5-119

APPENDICES

Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................................AIR-i

Part 1 .......................................................................................................................................................AIR-1

Part 2 ........................................................................................................................................................AIR-i

Attachment A – Review of Information on Health Effects .............................................................AIR-67

Attachment B – Review of Mitigation Measures ............................................................................AIR-71

Hydrology .........................................................................................................................................................HYD-1

Minerals ..........................................................................................................................................................MIN-1

Monitoring ........................................................................................................................................................ MON-1

Northern Cheyenne Mitigation .............................................................................................................................CHE-1

Socioeconomics....................................................................................................................................................SEA-1

Soils ........................................................................................................................................................... SOI-1

Solid and Hazardous Waste .................................................................................................................................SHW-1

Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................................... VEG-1
TOC-10

Wildlife ..........................................................................................................................................................WIL-1

Wildlife Monitoring and Protection Plan ............................................................................................WMPP-i

GLOSSARY .......................................................................................................................................................GLO-1

BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................................................BIB-1

INDEX ................................................................................................................................................................IND-1