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mining activities will result in mining and potential surface subsidence effects which extend beyond the eastern limits
<br />of the previously surveyed and mined areas. TC has contracted with Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. to
<br />complete intensive Class III cultural resources surveys for any areas subject to potential surface subsidence effects,
<br />which have not already been surveyed. Generally, these surveys covered limited additional areas in Sections 10,
<br />12, 13, and 14, T5N, R86W. The surveys resulted in identification of two new sites and one previously recorded
<br />site which could potentially be affected by mining -related subsidence. Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc.
<br />reviewed the subsidence evaluations and profiles for the areas associated with the identified sites, and provided a
<br />letter concluding that based on the very limited projected changes in ground elevation and gradient, the potential to
<br />impact any buried cultural materials would be negligible. Review by both the CDRMS and SHPO resulted in
<br />concurrence with this conclusion. Survey results are presented in the Confidential Appendix, in Exhibit 6L.
<br />13LT Outby Utility Borehole (MR15-291, MR292) -_TC contracted with Metcalf Archaeological Consultants,
<br />Inc. to complete intensive Class III cultural resources surveys of the proposed 13LT Outby Utility Borehole. The
<br />surveys covered lands located in Section 20, T5N, R86W. Due to adverse ground conditions, the cultural resource
<br />survey for the 13LT Outby Utility Borehole was conducted as an auger survey under study plans reviewed and
<br />approved by the SHPO. The approved study plan involved augering to a depth of approximately 1.0m on a 15m
<br />grid for the pad area, and on two parallel lines spaced 15m apart along the access corridor. This effectively resulted
<br />in a 30m wide inventory area for the access, and a 135m x 135m inventory area for the pad disturbance. The field
<br />archaeology crew looked for staining and artifacts during the augering, screened the excavated material, and
<br />prepare detailed field notes on stratigraphy, soil character, and any artifacts found. The 13LT Outby Borehole
<br />Study Plan is presented in the Confidential Appendix, in Exhibit 6T. The field work did not identify any cultural
<br />resources and resulted in a finding of no adverse effect, based on the preliminary survey report. Both the
<br />preliminary and final survey reports are provided for reference in Exhibit 6T.
<br />9 -East Utility Borehole Installation (MR16-296) — In conjunction with permitting for the Wolf Creek Reserve
<br />development and mining (PR15-11) Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. completed intensive Class III cultural
<br />resources surveys for any areas subject to potential surface subsidence effects, which have not already been
<br />surveyed, as well as any related areas of additional surface disturbance, including utility boreholes. Generally,
<br />these surveys covered limited additional areas in Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, T5N, R86W. The proposed utility
<br />borehole pad areas (Options 1-2) and roads would not impact any identified cultural resource sites. Survey results
<br />are presented in the Confidential Appendix, in Exhibit 6L
<br />RULE 2.04.5 - GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HYDROLOGY AND GEOLOGY
<br />Each application shall contain a description and map prepared in accordance with 2 10 of the geology, surface and
<br />ground water systems including water quality and quantity, of all lands within the proposed permit area the
<br />adjacent area, and the general area. The description shall include information on the characteristics of all surface
<br />and ground waters within the general area, and any water which will flow into or receive discharges of water from
<br />the general area. The description shall be prepared according to 2.04.5 and 2.04.7 and conform to the following:
<br />(a) Information on surface and groundwater systems including water quality, water quantity,
<br />geology related to the hydrology of areas outside the permit area and within the general area shall be provided by the
<br />Division, to the extent that this data is available from an appropriate Federal or State agency.
<br />(b) If this information is not available from those agencies the applicant may gather and submit
<br />this information to the Division as part of the permit application.
<br />(c) The permit shall not be approved by the Division until this information is made available in
<br />the application.
<br />RESPONSE
<br />This application contains comprehensive and detailed descriptions and maps concerning the geology and hydrology of
<br />the proposed permit area, adjacent area, and the general area. The definitions of these areas, as contained in Rule
<br />1.04, have been applied in what TC believes to be a reasonable manner to the lands surrounding the planned mining
<br />operation. The permit area contains all lands on which the operator will conduct mining operations during the term of
<br />MR 16-296 2.04-9.2 05/10/16
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