|
WCR Coal Coreholes (MR13-269,MR13-272,MR14-275,and MR14-276)
<br /> TC proposes to develop appropriate access, construct drill-pads, and drill and log up to 26 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-F1, EX52-F2, EX52-F3, and EX52-F4, WCR Coal
<br /> Coreholes. Environmental baseline studies, including cultural resource surveys and wildlife consultation with
<br /> Colorado Parks and Wildlife, have been completed for the proposed drill-sites, and are documented by cultural
<br /> resource survey reports(Exhibit 6L), and wildlife consultation letters.
<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 involves
<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 20,450 feet(11.7 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 1,700 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 /> 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 /> MR14-276 2.05-17.3 04/04/14
<br />
|