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WCR Coal Coreholes (MR13-269, NM13-272, NM14-275, NM14-276, NM14-277, MR14-278, and NIR14-
<br />279)
<br />TC proposes to develop appropriate access, construct drill-pads, and drill and log up to 28 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 through summer of 2013-2014, with some
<br />activities potentially extending into fall 2014, as shown on Figures EX52-Fl, EX52-F2, EX52-F3, EX52-F4, and
<br />EX52-F5, WCR Coal Coreholes. Environmental baseline studies, including cultural resource surveys and wildlife
<br />consultation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, have been completed for the proposed drill-sites, and are
<br />documented by cultural 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 25,950 feet (14.9 acres with a 25 ft. maximum road disturbance width).
<br />Drill pads will range from approximately 75 x 75 feet (0.15 acres) to 250 x 250 feet (1.43 acres) depending on
<br />drilling conditions, with soil material stripping limited to an area around the drillhole collar, and the area
<br />surrounding any mud pits necessary to support drilling operations, in order to minimize disturbance and facilitate
<br />site reclamation. If additional site work is required to establish a level pad, any affected areas will be stripped and
<br />the soil material stockpiled for use in reclaiming the site. Wattles, sediment fence, and/or berms will be used to
<br />control site drainage and prevent off-site sediment transport, with drainage and sediment control for the associated
<br />disturbance being address as Small Area, Exemptions (SAE's). Nominal 4.805-inch to 9.625-inch drillholes will be
<br />completed using conventional rotary drilling methods and drilling mud as the circulation medium, to depths ranging
<br />from 800 to 1,800 feet. Any drilling fluids will be fully contained on site using either mud pits or temporary porta-
<br />pits. Core samples will be recovered from all drillholes, and all drillholes will be geophysically logged.
<br />On completion of drilling and logging, all drillholes (except those to be completed as monitoring wells) will be
<br />plugged and sealed in accordance with State Engineer requirements, and drill sites will be reclaimed by removing
<br />all equipment and supplies, allowing any mud pits to dry-out, backfilling the pits, grading any disturbance to blend
<br />with the surrounding terrain and reestablish natural drainage patterns, replacing stockpiled soil materials, and
<br />seeding with either the rangeland or dryland pasture seed mixtures (dependent on the pre-disturbance vegetation
<br />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 />MR14-279 2.05-17.3 08106/14
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