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The area has been evaluated for applicable T &E species and no Threatened, Endangered or <br />Candidate species were found in this area. BLM sensitive species will be evaluated per license <br />requirements. <br />5. Describe Exploration Activities; Rule 2.02.2(2)0: <br />5.0 DESCRIPTION OF DRILLING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES (Rule 2.02.2(2)(0) <br />Exploration Access — The drill sites will be accessed from existing two track ranch roads <br />and light -use roads that extend onto the upland slopes and drainage basins. The existing <br />road alignments will not require modification. Required road maintenance will generally <br />include grading the road to provide a smooth operating surface, clean -out and repair of any <br />existing drainage structures and application of temporary drainage control measures (berms, <br />straw bales, silt fences, gravel surfacing, etc.) as necessary. As shown on the attached map <br />and the table below: There are five holes that will be affected. Two of these holes will be in <br />the New exploration license (COC- 76319) north of the current license area, and three holes <br />will be relocated to assist in providing additional data about the character of the coal on the <br />west side of the exploration area. The original drillhole estimate, for new, and temporary <br />road segments, range from adjacent to a road to 2,957' in length for a total estimated <br />combined distance of 41,660' (7.89 miles). Total estimated disturbance of 21.5 acres for <br />forty-three (43) drill pads and 11.36 acres for roads brings the total disturbance to 32.86 <br />acres. <br />Based upon drilling results, a minimum of five drillholes will not be drilled, and three <br />drillholes will be relocated to provide additional drilling information for the west side of the <br />exploration area. The additional two north drillholes will change, that total to (40) drillholes <br />being drilled, with an expected disturbance of 20 acres for drillpads and 11.38 acres for <br />roads for a total disturbance of 31.38 acres. Of those (40) drillholes, (24) have already been <br />drilled and reclaimed bringing the total remaining disturbance for 16 drillpads to 8 acres, <br />and road disturbance at 12,868' (2.44 miles) equals a total remaining disturbance of <br />20.14acres. New road construction will be kept to a minimum and will follow applicable <br />BLM specifications. Following the conclusion of drilling activities, the temporary roads will <br />be obliterated by grading to approximate original contour and distributing the rock, brush, <br />soils, etc. pushed along the sides of the road back across the road corridor. Proper <br />revegetation has been shown to be very successful using these common techniques. All new <br />road construction will be cleared for cultural resources, T & E and sensitive species. <br />Vehicular travel on other than established graded and surfaced roads shall be limited to that <br />absolutely necessary to conduct the exploration. <br />As noted below and shown on the attached map, all roads and borehole sites are located on <br />lands managed by the BLM or private fee surface owners. Approval will be received from <br />each surface owner before road construction or exploration drilling is conducted. Travel will <br />be confined to graded and surfaced roads during periods when excessive damage to <br />vegetation or rutting of the land surface could result. The proposed activities will not require <br />upland diversions, or diversions of ephemeral, intermittent or perennial streams. <br />a. Attach a narrative description of methods and equipment to be used to conduct coal <br />exploration activities. Include drilling operations, surface blasting, road or access route <br />construction, excavated earth and debris disposal activities. Also describe measures to be <br />taken to protect the environment: topsoil salvage, diversion of overland flow, settling <br />ponds, etc. <br />ME <br />