PERMFILE46618

• Permit No: X199421400
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/6/1994
• Doc Name: NOI Application
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

stripped of topsoil previously, the additional area required will
be stripped for the new mud pits. It is anticipated that a maximum
of six mud pits would be utilized at any given site for fluid
handling, with three pits per site being the norm.
The anticipated maximum acreage to be topsoil salvaged in
association with the pads would be 5.6 acres (assuming 24 pads at
100'x 100', although BLM has indicated that they do not wish to see
large pads such as this constructed). In addition, a maximum of
approximately 18.6 acres of access road might require topsoil
salvage should ground conditions dictate (assuming 20 foot top
width). Again, it is CEC's intention to access the sites without
salvaging topsoil if ground conditions allow, as this will aid to
minimize disturbance.
In the event that water flows are encountered during the drilling
activities, the water from the hole will be routed to the mud pits.
In the event flows can not be easily handled via the use of the mud
pits, the hole will be mudded using a low-sodium bentonite product,
with excess water being transported via vac-truck to a stockpond
on the Empire property, where it will be run through a pond prior
to discharge.
A rotary drill will be used during the drilling program. The
anticipated primary circulation medium will be either water or mud,
but conditions may allow for the use of air or an air foam medium
during drilling. Water for drilling will likely be obtained from
the Yampa river or from the CEC wells. Stockpond water from
private sources may also be utilized dependent upon an agreement
being reached.
Holes will be a nominal 6 1/4" in diameter and vary from 1650 to
2500 feet in depth. The anticipated depth of each hole is
presented in CONFIDENTIAL TABLE 1. Dependent upon geologic and
hydrologic data needs, any of the holes may be twinned to establish
additional hydrologic monitoring sites to augment the existing
hydrologic monitoring network. Likewise, a hole may be twinned if
anomalous geologic information is obtained from a hole. In the
event a monitoring well is completed at a site, the completion
report will be forwarded to the appropriate agencies. If a well is
constructed, it is anticipated that 20 slot screen and 8/12 silica
sand will be used to construct the well. Following installation of
the gravel pack, a bentonite cap will be placed on top of the
gravel pack, and a grout cap will be placed around the collar of
the well. Once the well is no longer required, the well will be
grouted from the bottom to the top with a cement grout. The casing
will be cut off two-three feet below the ground surface, and the
surrounding soil will be used to backfill the void left by the
removal of the casing. The well will be cemented prior to the
expiration of the license, or the well will be transferred into
Empire's existing mining and reclamation permit. It is anticipated
that three to four aquifers will be encountered during the drilling
process, these being the Twentymile sandstone, the White sandstone,
the Middle sandstone, and the Trout Creek sandstone. Please refer