2014-05-29_PERMIT FILE - X201423601

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GCC Energy, LLC Drill Location ID Soil Type Erosion Potential GCC -14 -05 Glodvale very stony fine sandy Low water erosion, low wind loam, 15 to 65% slopes erosion GCC- 14 -06, GCC -14 -08 Coni loam, 4 to 25% slopes Moderate water erosion, low wind erosion GCC- 14 -07, GCC- 14 -22, GCC 14 -17 Fortwingate -Rock outcrop complex, No rating 6 to 25% slopes GCC -14 -15 Valto -Rock outcrop complex, 12 to No rating 65% slopes Vegetative Cover Dominant vegetative communities occurring within the exploration area are classified as Rocky Mountain Gambel oak -mixed montane shrublands and Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine woodland. Other vegetative communities occurring within the exploration area include: Rocky Mountain montane mesic mixed conifer forest and woodland and Colorado Plateau pinon juniper woodland. Dominant vegetation occurring at majority of the proposed drill locations include pinon (Pinus edulis) and juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) with understory species such as: gambel oak (Quercus gambehi), snowberry (Gaultheria), black sagebrush (Artemisia nova), squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), and buckwheat (Eriogonum). Threatened and Endangered Species Under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, the BLM is required to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on any proposed action decision, which may affect federally listed threatened, endangered, or candidate species or species proposed for listing. According to the USFWS, there are 13 federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species with the potential to occur in La Plata County, Colorado. No habitat for any of the 13 listed species occurs at any of the 24 drill sites. However, suitable habitat for the federally threatened Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) occurs along some of the exploration area canyons. No drill sites or access routes are proposed within any canyons with potential MSO habitat. Exploration drilling activities are planned for fall 2014, thereby avoiding the sensitive breeding period (May thru August) when this owl may be present in the area. National Register of Historic Places and; Known Cultural or Archaeological Resources PaleoWest Archaeology conducted a file search of the Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservations' online COMPASS records for the township, range, and section locations in which the 24 new drill holes are proposed. No previously recorded sites were found in proximity to any of the proposed drill hole locations or access routes. Cultural class III surveys were conducted April 16, 17, and 29, 2014. All proposed drill site locations were moved to avoid any cultural resources. Federal Coal Exploration Plan May 2014 3