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<br />Moffat County Road #30 bisects the exploration area, and will be <br />the primary access point for all drill holes on the north and west <br />side of the Yampa River. County roads and existing access <br />roads/two-tracks will be utilized to access the drill sites <br />whenever possible, so as to minimize disturbance associated with <br />the drilling program. <br />The proposed notice of intent area contains a variety of vegetation <br />types. The entire exploration area is a mosaic of sagebrush, <br />pastureland/rangeland, and cropland, with intermittent meadows <br />interspersed along some of the ephemeral drainages. There are also <br />a few small patches of mountain shrub, which are of limited areal <br />extent and are widely interspersed. The cropland areas are <br />primarily utilized for dryland wheat and hay production, while <br />cattle, sheep, and horses utilize the pastureland areas in <br />conjunction with wildlife. The proposed exploration activities <br />should not significantly impact the various vegetation types found <br />throughout the proposed lease tract, as efforts have been made to <br />spot the locations within disturbed areas where possible. <br />Both deer and elk can be seen in the area throughout the year, with <br />many of the animals wintering in the river bottom area. The <br />proposed exploration drilling should not impact the game found <br />within the proposed notice of intent area, under the anticipated <br />schedule. <br />Raptors have nested in cliffs formed by sandstone outcrops in the <br />area, but the proposed exploration activities should not interrupt <br />the activities of these raptors. Given the distance from outcrop <br />areas for most of the holes and the associated timing, it is not <br />anticipated that nesting activities would be impacted by the <br />exploration activities. <br />The BLM has records of prior cultural resource surveys that have <br />been completed in the area. These will be reviewed, and additional <br />surveys will be completed as required by the BLM. Existing roads <br />(as shown on the attached map) will be utilized to the extent <br />possible to access the drill sites. This will minimize surface <br />disturbance and will decrease the need for additional cultural <br />resource surveys. <br />As can be seen from review of the map, CEC believes that there are <br />no structures located within the proposed exploration area which <br />qualify for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. <br />