|
WCR Coal Coreholes (MR13 -269, MR13 -272, and MR14 -275
<br />TC proposes to develop appropriate access, construct drill -pads, and drill and log up to 14 coreholes in the Eastern
<br />Mining District (EMD) and Northern Mining District (NMD). The purpose of the proposed corehole program is to
<br />more accurately define the extent, configuration, and quality of the Wolf Creek Reserve (WCR), and to assess
<br />overburden and coal physical and chemical characteristics, for planning and implementation of possible future
<br />mining operations in this area. The proposed activities will occur on lands, and will affect surface and minerals
<br />owned or controlled by TC, and would be conducted during the fall and winter of 2013 -2014, with some activities
<br />potentially extending into 2014, as shown on Figures EX52 -171, EX52 -F2, and EX52 -F3, WCR Coal Coreholes.
<br />Environmental baseline studies, including cultural resource surveys and wildlife consultation with Colorado Parks
<br />and Wildlife, have been completed for the proposed drill- sites, and are documented by a cultural resource survey
<br />report (Exhibit 6L) and wildlife consultation letter.
<br />Drill -sites have been selected and located to facilitate access from existing County, mine, and ranch roads. Minor
<br />maintenance may be required for portions of the existing roads, including grading to address rills or washouts and
<br />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 8,200 feet (4.7 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 1,600 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 in 2.10, describing the location,
<br />construction, modification, use, maintenance and removal of mine facilities in the permit area including all
<br />buildinas, 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 />M R 14 -275 2.05 -17.3 02/26/14
<br />
|