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Environmental Assessment Bowie Resources, LLC. <br />August 2005 Spruce Stomp Fedeml Coal Explomtion License (150- 2005 -43) <br />New temporary roads would be constructed to a road width of approximately 30 feet using a <br />Caterpillar D -9 class dozer or equivalent where necessary, or smaller standard (such as a <br />Caterpillar D -5) or track - mounted dozers and a proportionately sized Deere 410C or equivalent <br />backhoe. Improvements to existing roads would entail grading to a road width of approximately <br />30 feet, with additional measures (such as the addition or replacement of culverts) provided <br />where necessary to ensure road integrity and public safety. Road bases would consist of native <br />materials, and no gravel or other materials would be required. <br />New temporary roads would be constructed to access exploration holes PRP -SS -3, PRP -SS -4, <br />PRP -SS -8, PRP -SS -9, and PRP- SS -15. There would be no effect to public safety resulting from <br />the construction of these new temporary roads because public entry to these roads would be <br />restricted. The majority of public access on the SSCEL occurs during the fall hunting season. <br />Since temporary roads would be closed to public access for the duration of the Proposed Action <br />and would ultimately be decommissioned by obliteration, the Proposed Action is not expected to <br />have an impact on public safety or result in increased public access to previously inaccessible <br />areas. The effects to the safety of BRL employees and contractors, using temporary and <br />improved roads are the responsibility of BRL and its contractors and would be in compliance <br />with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and other applicable federal workplace <br />regulations. Road maintenance and repair costs associated with access to and reclamation of <br />monitor well sites would be the responsibility of BRL. <br />There are no unique communities or special features within the SSCEL. The only special use <br />permit in the affected area is the Company's reservoir and water diversion facilities. Access to <br />and use of these facilities would not be affected by the mineral exploration and development <br />activities on the SSCEL. <br />Additional traffic volume resulting from minerals exploration and development activities on the <br />SSCEL would be light and occasional in nature. The drilling of each exploration hole would <br />include a one -time mobilization and a one -time demobilization. Daily shift change traffic would <br />occur twice each day. There would also be traffic associated with support personnel <br />transportation, and with fuel and supply deliveries. <br />Under the Proposed Action, the drilling of each exploration hole would require one round trip for <br />a dozer to construct the drill pad, and two vehicle round trips per day for a four -wheel drive <br />vehicle or ATV (or snowmobile, depending on road conditions) for actual drilling activities. The <br />duration of exploration hole and temporary road construction would vary from two days to two <br />weeks, depending on the incremental level of activity required versus the construction of access <br />to the preceding exploration holes. Reclamation work would require approximately one vehicle <br />trip per day for a backhoe for approximately one week. <br />No Action Alternative <br />Under the No Action Alternative, exploration holes would not be drilled in the SSCEL and the <br />associated roads would not be reconditioned or constructed for this purpose. Existing land use <br />would continue. <br />3 -33 <br />