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MR23-323 2.05-17.3 08/07/23
<br />a. ATV or snow machine
<br />b. Snow-cat or similar equipment, as needed for snow plowing
<br />2. Crew Size:
<br />a. 10-hour day
<br />b. Approximately 10 crew members
<br />3. The proposed survey consists of 5 seismic lines totaling approximately 37,600 feet in length
<br />4. A group of 4 geophones (2-inch square plastic molded sensor with a 3-inch long metal spike protruding from
<br />the bottom) spaced approximately 18 feet apart is placed every 82 feet along the receiver lines and connected
<br />by cables
<br />5. The source truck moves along the survey line, and “thumps” every 82 feet, about 4 – 6 times per location
<br />6. At a location proximate to the survey line, the recording trailer is parked and the data recorded on and
<br />displayed by a computer when the weight-drop source truck is activated
<br />7. After the seismic survey activities are completed and recorded, a crew recovers the geophones, cables, and
<br />any flag markers
<br />
<br />Maps and additional details for the seismic survey project are provided in Exhibit 52.
<br />
<br />WCR Coal Coreholes (MR13-269, MR13-272, MR14-275, MR14-276, MR14-277, MR14-278, MR14-279,
<br />MR14-280, MR14-281, MR23-323)
<br />
<br />TC proposes to develop access, construct drill-pads, and drill and log up to 57 coreholes in the Eastern Mining District
<br />(EMD) and Northern Mining District (NMD). The purpose of the corehole program is to more accurately define the
<br />extent, configuration, and quality of the Wolf Creek Reserve (WCR) and associated geology and partings, and to
<br />assess 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 will be conducted during the fall through summer of 2013 through 2015. Further
<br />exploration will be conducted in 2023 to better define the northern coal boundary. Figures EX52-F1, EX52-F2,
<br />EX52-F3, EX52-F4, EX52-F5, EX52-F6, EX52-F7 & EX52-F8, WCR Coal Coreholes, show the corehole locations.
<br />Environmental baseline studies, including cultural resource surveys and wildlife consultation with Colorado Parks
<br />and Wildlife, have been completed for the proposed drill-sites, and are documented by cultural resource survey
<br />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, and to
<br />avoid stream buffer zones and any cultural resource exclusion areas. Minor maintenance may be required for portions
<br />of the existing roads, including grading to address rills or washouts and placement of suitable road-base materials or
<br />rock/gravel, to assure good access during any wet conditions and minimize any road damage. Where direct access
<br />from existing roads is not feasible, drilling equipment and supplies may travel overland short distances during periods
<br />when ground conditions are favorable to access the drill sites, or short temporary connecting roads will be constructed.
<br />Where road maintenance or construction involves any significant new disturbance, soil materials will be recovered
<br />and stockpiled for later use in reclamation, as appropriate. The maximum anticipated road maintenance/construction
<br />disturbance requirements would be approximately 46,000 feet (26.4 acres with a 25 ft. maximum road disturbance
<br />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 drilling
<br />conditions, with soil material stripping limited to an area around the drillhole collar, and the area surrounding any
<br />mud pits necessary to support drilling operations, in order to minimize disturbance and facilitate site reclamation. If
<br />additional site work is required to establish a level pad, any affected areas will be stripped and the soil material
<br />stockpiled for use in reclaiming the site. Wattles, sediment fence, and/or berms will be used to control site drainage
<br />and prevent off-site sediment transport, with drainage and sediment control for the associated disturbance being
<br />address as Small Area, Exemptions (SAE’s). All disturbances where the vegetation is removed will be surround by
<br />wattles or silt fence or a combination of the best feasible product available. Products used will depend on the location
<br />and its surroundings. Nominal 4.805-inch to 10.750-inch drillholes will be completed using rotary drilling methods
<br />and drilling mud as the circulation medium, to depths ranging from 800 to 1,900 feet. Any drilling fluids will be
<br />fully contained on site using either mud pits or temporary porta-pits. Core samples will be recovered from all
<br />drillholes, and all drillholes will be geophysically logged.
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