NS 2023 Annual Report For EPA

• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Date: 8/28/2025
• Archive: No

Natural Soda LLC 2023 Project Status Report& Annual Plan of Development
35 January 2024

6.4. Deer Roadkill Study
Per the monitoring requirement from the BLM, NS compiled deer road kill data
throughout 2023 for vehicles traveling to and from the mine site. One deer (female sex)
was reported as struck but ran from accident with unknown injuries to the animal. Six
deer of unknown sex were reported as struck and killed in 2023. One additional deer of
unknown sex was reported as struck but departed with unknown injuries to the animal.
6.5. Raptor Survey
On May 15 and 16, 2023 D&A, Inc. conducted a raptor breeding activity survey and
inventory on behalf of NS in the pinion juniper habitat that is proximal to the planned
2024 production wells 18H-1V & 18H-IR-W, and planned 2025/2026 production wells
19H-1V & 19H-IR-E well drilling. A pedestrian survey, with the addition of call-playback
techniques, was undertaken. The surveyed area included portions of sections 25, 26,
27, 34, 35, and 36 of T1S, R98W. The BLM WRFO assisted NS by identifying areas
which may provide the most suitable raptor nesting habitat within the project area. One
new nest was observed within the study area that was inactive/abandoned. Two known
nest (one active, one inactive) were observed just outside of the study area. Ravens
were observed in the southwest region of the study area, and the observance of the
Ravens led to the discovery of Copper’s Hawk occupying a nest outside of the 2023
survey area and was documented. Weather conditions during the survey were optimal
with partly cloudy skies, short drizzle of rain on May 15, 2023, and full sun on May 16,
2023. Air temperatures during the survey ranged from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A
report was written and submitted to the BLM following completion of the survey. The
area surveyed in 2023 included the areas of the planned 2024 well field development
activities, therefore, per BLM guidelines, no raptor survey will be conducted in 2024.
6.6. Other Observations
Elk, deer, coyotes, rabbits, bobcat, badger and fox were noted in and around the well-
field throughout the year.
6.7. Waste Disposal
Common domestic solid waste was collected in containers and periodically transported
to the Rio Blanco County landfill. Sewage from the plant was directed to a septic
system with a leach drain field. Process water, including cooling tower blowdowns,
boiler ditch, plant wash down, blow down from the boilers, and precipitation runoff, was
directed to the process pond. A pump in the process storage pond allows NS to recycle
the water to the barren system. The wastewater evaporation pond contains water from
the cooling tower overflow and laboratory drains.
Hazardous waste that is generated and collected at the NS facilities is contained safely,
stored separately from day to day waste, and then disposed of properly by Clean
Harbors, Inc., a certified hazardous waste handling/disposal company. NS did not
dispose of any hazardous waste in 2023.