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using conventional rotary drilling methods and drilling mud as the circulation medium to depths ranging from 1,300
<br />to 1,600 feet.
<br />TRO Coal Oualitv Coreholes (MR13 -269. MR13 -272
<br />TC proposes to develop appropriate access, construct drill -pads, and drill and log up to 10 coreholes in the Eastern
<br />Mining District (EMD). The purpose of the proposed corehole program is to more accurately define the extent,
<br />configuration, and quality of the Wolf Creek Coal Seam, and to assess overburden and coal physical and chemical
<br />characteristics, for planning and implementation of possible future mining operations in this area. The proposed
<br />activities will occur on lands, and will affect surface and minerals owned or controlled by TC, and would be
<br />conducted during the fall and winter of 2013, with some activities potentially extending into 2014, as shown on
<br />Figures EX52 -F1 and EX52 -F2, TRO Coal Quality Coreholes. Environmental baseline studies, including cultural
<br />resource surveys and wildlife consultation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, have been completed for the proposed
<br />drill sites, and will be documented by a cultural resource survey report and wildlife consultation letter, which will
<br />be forwarded on receipt.
<br />Drill -sites have been selected and located to facilitate access from existing County and ranch roads. Minor
<br />maintenance may be required for portions of the existing ranch roads, including grading to address rills or washouts
<br />and placement of suitable road -base materials or rock /gravel, to assure good access during any wet conditions and
<br />minimize any road damage. Where direct access from existing roads is not feasible, drilling equipment and
<br />supplies may travel overland short distances during periods when ground conditions are favorable to access the drill
<br />sites, or short temporary connecting roads will be constructed. Where road maintenance or construction involve
<br />any significant new disturbance, soil materials will be recovered and stockpiled for later use in reclamation, as
<br />appropriate. The maximum anticipated road maintenance /construction disturbance requirements would be
<br />approximately 7,500 feet (4.4 acres with a 25 ft. maximum road disturbance width).
<br />Drill pads will be approximately 75 x 75 feet (0.15 acres), with soil material stripping limited to an area around the
<br />drillhole collar, and the area surrounding any mud pits necessary to support drilling operations, in order to minimize
<br />disturbance and facilitate site reclamation. If additional site work is required to establish a level pad, any affected
<br />areas will be stripped and the soil material stockpiled for use in reclaiming the site. Wattles, sediment fence, and /or
<br />berms will be used to control site drainage and prevent off -site sediment transport, with drainage and sediment
<br />control for the associated disturbance being address as Small Area, Exemptions (SAE's). Nominal 4.805 -inch
<br />drillholes will be completed using conventional rotary drilling methods and drilling mud as the circulation medium,
<br />to depths ranging from 800 to 1,500 feet. Any drilling fluids will be fully contained on site using either mud pits or
<br />temporary porta -pits. Core samples will be recovered from all drillholes, and all drillholes will be geophysically
<br />logged.
<br />On completion of drilling and logging, all drillholes will be plugged and sealed in accordance with State Engineer
<br />requirements, and drill sites will be reclaimed by removing all equipment and supplies, allowing any mud pits to
<br />dry -out, backfilling the pits, grading any disturbance to blend with the surrounding terrain and reestablish natural
<br />drainage patterns, replacing stockpiled soil materials, and seeding with either the rangeland or dryland pasture seed
<br />mixtures (dependent on the pre - disturbance vegetation community).
<br />(3) Mine Facilities
<br />(a) A narrative and maps, to meet the standards prescribed 1112.10, describing the location
<br />construction, modification, use, maintenance and removal of mine facilities in the permit area in all
<br />buildings, structures and utility corridors.
<br />RESPONSE
<br />The existing Foidel Creek Mine surface facilities consist of building structures, material handling system, utilities,
<br />and surface areas as shown on Map 24, Surface Facilities. Previously disturbed areas within the surface facilities
<br />area may be leveled and then utilized for additional storage.
<br />MR 13 -272 2.05 -17.2 11/26/13
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