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MR23-324 2.04-9.3 12/18/23
<br />11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, and 22, T5N, R86W. Survey results are presented in the Confidential Appendix, in Exhibit
<br />6L.
<br />
<br />WCR Development and Mining (PR14-10, PR15-11, MR15-289, MR23-324) – Most of the Wolf Creek Reserve
<br />mining area underlies areas previously undermined by TC’s historic and ongoing mining operations in the Wadge Coal
<br />Seam in the Eastern and Northern Mining Districts. Baseline studies related to potential surface effects for these
<br />previously mined areas were completed and are included in the PAP. The proposed WCR development and mining
<br />activities will result in mining and potential surface subsidence effects which extend beyond the eastern limits of the
<br />previously surveyed and mined areas. TC has contracted with Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. to complete
<br />intensive Class III cultural resources surveys for any areas subject to potential surface subsidence effects, which have
<br />not already been surveyed. Generally, these surveys covered limited additional areas in Sections 10, 12, 13, and 14,
<br />T5N, R86W. The surveys resulted in identification of two new sites and one previously recorded site which could
<br />potentially be affected by mining-related subsidence. Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. reviewed the
<br />subsidence evaluations and profiles for the areas associated with the identified sites, and provided a letter concluding
<br />that based on the very limited projected changes in ground elevation and gradient, the potential to impact any buried
<br />cultural materials would be negligible. Review by both the CDRMS and SHPO resulted in concurrence with this
<br />conclusion. Survey results are presented in the Confidential Appendix, in Exhibit 6L.
<br />
<br />13LT Outby Utility Borehole (MR15-291, MR292) - TC contracted with Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc.
<br />to complete intensive Class III cultural resources surveys of the proposed 13LT Outby Utility Borehole. The surveys
<br />covered lands located in Section 20, T5N, R86W. Due to adverse ground conditions, the cultural resource survey for
<br />the 13LT Outby Utility Borehole was conducted as an auger survey under study plans reviewed and approved by the
<br />SHPO. The approved study plan involved augering to a depth of approximately 1.0m on a 15m grid for the pad area,
<br />and on two parallel lines spaced 15m apart along the access corridor. This effectively resulted in a 30m wide
<br />inventory area for the access, and a 135m x 135m inventory area for the pad disturbance. The field archaeology crew
<br />looked for staining and artifacts during the augering, screened the excavated material, and prepare detailed field notes
<br />on stratigraphy, soil character, and any artifacts found. The 13LT Outby Borehole Study Plan is presented in the
<br />Confidential Appendix, in Exhibit 6T. The field work did not identify any cultural resources and resulted in a finding
<br />of no adverse effect, based on the preliminary survey report. Both the preliminary and final survey reports are
<br />provided for reference in Exhibit 6T.
<br />
<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 surveyed,
<br />as well as any related areas of additional surface disturbance, including utility boreholes. Generally, these surveys
<br />covered limited additional areas in Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, T5N, R86W. The proposed utility borehole pad
<br />areas (Options 1-2) and roads would not impact any identified cultural resource sites. Survey results are presented
<br />in the Confidential Appendix, in Exhibit 6L
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<br />RULE 2.04.5 - GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HYDROLOGY AND GEOLOGY
<br />
<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 adjacent
<br />area, and the general area. The description shall include information on the characteristics of all surface and ground
<br />waters within the general area, and any water which will flow into or receive discharges of water from the general area.
<br />The description shall be prepared according to 2.04.5 and 2.04.7, and conform to the following:
<br />
<br />(a) Information on surface and groundwater systems including water quality, water quantity, and
<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 />
<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.
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