2026-02-09_REPORT - M1983194

• Permit No: M1983194
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 2/9/2026
• From: NSI
• To: DRMS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Natural Soda LLC 2025 Project Status Report & Annual Plan of Development
1 January 2026
1.0 Introduction and Project Summary
This 2025 Project Status Report and Annual Plan of Development is submitted to fulfill
the requirements of BLM sodium leases, COC-00118326, COC-00118327,
COC-0119986, and COC-37474 as stated in Federal Regulations 43 CFR, Subpart 3591
and 3592 and the Project Record of Decision dated January 20, 1987. This report is also
submitted to the Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS) to meet
the requirements for an Annual Report per State permit number M-1983-194, and in part
to meet the requirements contained in the EPA UIC Class III Area Permits: CO30358-
00000.
This report summarizes the Natural Soda LLC (NS) 2025 process operations, production
activities, reclamation status, geotechnical and environmental monitoring results, as well
as the status of surface facilities and wells. Proposed operations for 2026 will be
described in this report, including the permitting of one new production well the 18H-IR-E
along with the proposed drilling and completion of a new subsurface subsidence
monitoring well. NS will undertake an exploration core drilling project to further define the
sodium bicarbonate resource and increase knowledge of the geologic framework in
certain areas of the NS leases. NS is planning the addition of Silos and Loadout Scales
in 2026 to support future storage and shipment of sodium bicarbonate. NS has proposed
the removal and replacement of the pond liner in 2026. A capital project will be
undertaken to replace a portion of the western barren pipeline in 2026. Groundwater
monitor wells (GMWs) and water supply wells (WSWs) will be maintained in 2026.
2.0 Description of Project Area
2.1. Location and Regional Setting
The four NS federal sodium leases are located in the Piceance Creek Basin in Rio Blanco
County in northwestern Colorado (Figure 1 and Figure 2). The sodium leases are located
primarily between the Yellow Creek and Piceance Creek drainages, approximately
41 miles from Meeker, Colorado, and 53 miles from Rifle, Colorado. The climate is
semi-arid with annual precipitation averaging 12-14 inches. Precipitation generally occurs
as snow from November to March and as rain during the remainder of the year. The
vegetation is predominantly pinyon pine, sagebrush, Utah juniper, western wheatgrass,
and needle-and-thread grass. The total area contained within the four sodium leases is
8,379 acres more or less. The principal area of current operations is located in and
around Section 26, T1S, R98W, 6th Principal Meridian. Figure 1 shows the NS leases
and regional setting. Figure 2 shows sodium leases within the Piceance Creek Basin.
Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the NS wells and proposed well locations.