2014-06-02_PERMIT FILE - P2014003

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metals/minerals in the subsurface, in effect reconstituting minerals originally present in the rocks. This is what we wish to test with our drilling, one of several steps that must be taken prior to any thought of further development or extraction. In short, our plans do not include either at this time, but of course we would like to keep our options open. 4. Please specify the amount of material, in cubic yards, to be extracted. We plan to drill one (1) 6-inch diameter drill hole in each of two locations along the proposed road, each to a maximum depth of one thousand feet,total depth approximately 2000 feet. The volume of material to be removed will be about 7.5 cubic yards per thousand feet of drilling, for a total of approximately 15 cubic yards from the two drill locations "pads". S. Please provide a description of how the drill pads will be constructed, this Information is necessary to calculate the costs associated with reclaiming the drill pads. We plan to drill from two locations along a 2000 foot extension of the existing road across the "rock glacier". Previous drilling (2003), was done from smoothed graded "wide spots" in the road, one of which still exists at the end of the current road (dh #3), and a second (dh #4) along the road a thousand feet or so to the northeast, from a spot I could not locate the last time I walked the road. The plan is to only grade the path/road, no concrete or other foreign material was or will used in constructing the road or pads, and drilling likely will be done from a truck-mounted rig, on an area graded to approximate dimensions 14 feet wide x 20 feet along the road.The area of drilling is estimated to be just slightly wider than the road and for all practical purposes will be part of the road. 6. Please provide the Division with any recommendations you have received from the USFS regarding grading and re-vegetating drill sites and roads. I have had several conversations by phone with USFS personnel, and they have told me their preference is to let the disturbed area reclaim naturally. I was told this week (5/27/14) that the official written recommendations would not be available until the final botany survey has been completed. They indicated that they do not expect any surprises, but that the survey would be at least three (3) weeks away, after the snow cornice on the south side of Webster Pass melts. We plan to observe all USFS recommendations and will provide a copy to your office once we receive them.