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Environmental Assessment Bowie Resources, L.L.C. <br />August 2005 Spruce Stomp Fedeml Coal Exploration License (150 - 200543) <br />Surface Water (drilling water supply) <br />Four surface water pump sites are located in the Terror Creek watershed (Figure 2 -1). Two of <br />these sites (TC -PI and TC -P2) are on the East Fork of Terror Creek, the third site is on the West <br />Fork of Terror Creek (WTC -P -1), and the final site is on the East Fork of Terror Creek south of <br />the SSCEL boundary. A gasoline or diesel powered transfer pump would be used to pump water <br />via a submerged hose to either a truck or through a water line to the exploration site. <br />Proposed pump site WTC -PI would distribute water via a direct water line to exploration <br />boreholes PRP -SS -2, PRP- SS -13, and PRP- SS -15; via truck to PRP -SS -3; and via a holding tank <br />and truck to PRP -SS -4. To install the temporary water line between pump site WTC -P1 and <br />exploration site PRP- SS -13, no road construction or reconditioning would occur, rather, an all <br />terrain vehicle (ATV) would be used over this approximate 0.8 mile distance for temporary <br />water line setting. ATV travel would be restricted to existing roads, roads to be conditioned, or <br />proposed temporary roads. Proposed pump site TC -P1 would distribute water via a direct water <br />line to exploration boreholes PRP -SS -5, PRP -SS -8, and PRP -SS -10 during the months of July <br />and August (due to wet weather conditions) or via truck to these exploration boreholes during the <br />month of June. Proposed pump site WTC -P2 would distribute water via a direct water line to <br />exploration boreholes PRP -SS -11 and PRP- SS -12. The proposed pump site for PRP -SS -9 is on <br />the East Fork of Terror Creek approximately 1,550 feet south of the SSCEL boundary. <br />Exploration site PRP -SS -9 would have either a direct water line during July and August or be <br />trucked in during June (Hunt 2005). <br />Based on the borehole depths and the amount of time estimated for borehole completion, affects <br />on surface water flow or discharge from existing wells from surface water pumped are not <br />foreseen. The amount of surface water pumped for drilling activities would be minor, averaging <br />less than 5 gpm (Hunt 2005). The total amount of surface water depletion for the eleven <br />boreholes is estimated to be less than 2.2 acre feet (Hunt 2005). This volume accounts for both <br />drilling and dust suppression activities. Impacts from surface water pumping, installation and <br />use of the distribution system would be minimal. <br />The reconditioning and construction of temporary access roads and the clearing of the drill pads <br />is not anticipated to increase the potential for sedimentation to Terror Creek watershed. <br />Temporary new roads associated with the Proposed Action would not cross any creeks. <br />Reconditioned roads associated with the Proposed Action would cross the East Fork of Terror <br />Creek two times, and Cunningham Creek and the West Fork of Terror Creek one time each <br />(Figure 3 -5). Through standard road construction and reconditioning techniques, and using best <br />management practices (BMPs), effects from temporary and reconditioning road activities are not <br />foreseen. The potential for soil erosion and sedimentation from reconditioning and construction <br />of temporary access roads and the clearing of the drill pads is discussed further in Section 3.3.5, <br />Soils and Geology. <br />Groundwater Production <br />The exact amount of groundwater production and surface discharge produced from a particular <br />exploration borehole cannot be predicted. BRL's experience with drilling discharge volumes <br />suggests a discharge range of formation water production from none to 20,000 gallons per <br />borehole (Hunt 2005). Prior to intersecting groundwater, the drilling make -up water and drilling <br />3 -26 <br />