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Environmental Assessment Bowie Resources, L.L.C. <br />August 2005 Spruce Stomp Federal Co Exploration License (150- 2005 -43) <br />Within the past five years BRL has planted a couple of lengths of drill pipe using a powerful drill <br />rig at depths less then 2,000 feet in areas near the SSCEL boundary. Drilling in certain areas of <br />the North Fork Valley has proven to be notoriously difficult and expensive. Initial mobilization <br />of helicopter portable equipment is not terribly expensive; however, shuttling fuel, parts and men <br />to the rig becomes very expensive. For technical and financial reasons, using helicopter portable <br />equipment is not feasible for this project. <br />Consideration of Other Pad and Road Locations: <br />At BRL's initial application for the SSCEL, USDA -FS resource specialists and BRL <br />representatives conducted field reconnaissance in May 2004 of the proposed drill sites and <br />temporary road locations. As a result of this field review, some of the drill site locations were <br />shifted from the locations proposed by BRL to accommodate specific resource concerns. <br />Changes made to the originally proposed locations are as follows: <br /> I, Exploration Drill Hole PRP -SS -3 would be accessed from a new temporary road 0.11 miles in <br />length and 14 feet wide, south from existing classified NFSR 701. Site Visit Modifications: <br />' Original location of pad was located east approximately 200 feet. Location of drill pad was <br />moved to utilize an existing open area. The intersection of this temporary road and NFSR 701 <br />would be constructed at a perpendicular intersection to aid in site distance /safety. <br />' Exploration Drill Hole PRP -SS -S would be accessed from a new temporary road 0.02 miles in <br />length and 14 feet wide, from existing non- system road U803. The pad would be constructed on <br />the west side of U803 in an open area. Site Visit Modifications: Original location of pad was <br />located under the power line. The drill pad was re- located approximately 300 feet to the west. <br />Exploration Drill Hole PRP -SS -9 would be accessed from a new temporary road crossing <br />' private land with 0.15 miles on NFS lands. The access road begins from a private road and <br />travels up the east side of the ridge toward NFS lands. Site Visit Modifications: The access road <br />was crossing geologically unstable ground. As a result, the location of the access road was <br />' changed from NFS lands. Road U803 and a temporary road leading to the west through heavy <br />oak brush and aspen stands would have provided access to the drill pad. <br />' Exploration Drill Hole PRP -SS -10 would be accessed from existing non - system road U803. <br />The pad would be constructed on the west side of U803. Site Visit Modifications: No change to <br />drill pad location or access. Drill pad would be constructed in two tiers to reduce overall surface <br />' disturbance. <br />Exploration Drill Hole PRP -SS -12 would be accessed from a new temporary road 0.01 miles in <br />' length and 14 feet wide, from existing classified NFSR 824. The pad would be constructed on <br />the east side of NFSR 824. Site Visit Modifications: No change to drill pad location or access. <br />Drill pad would be constructed in two tiers to reduce overall surface disturbance and oriented <br />' along the existing flat area. <br />Exploration Drill Hole PRP -SS -13 would be accessed from a new temporary road 50 feet in <br />' length and 14 feet wide, from existing classified NFSRs 703 and 703.213. The pad would be <br />constructed on the curve of NFSR 703.213. A zone of trees would be left to provide a view shed <br />buffer. Site Visit Modifications: Original location of pad was located north of the curve <br />approximately 75 feet. <br />2 -13 <br />