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Page 2, Yankee Gulch Sodium Minerals Project April 6, 1999 returned to the upper plant through an insulated pipeline to be re-heated and re-injected into solution mining wells. Vertical solution training wells will be used [o provide access to the nahcolite resource, which is generally located from approximately 1,400 to 2,200 Ct. below the ground surface. Heated and pressurized water will be irjected into the solution mining wells at temperatures of 300~F. to 420oF. and at pressures from 300 to 700 pounds per square inch io create cavities approximately 650 ft. in height and 200 ft. in diameter. Roughly 100 ft. of rock will remain between the cavities to provide support and diswurage subsidence. Approximately 450 wells will be trained during the first 30 years of operation, with approximately 76 of these wells developed during the 0-5 year mining panel. which covers an area of approximately 160 acres. Numerous structures and facilidea will be required at the Piceance mitring site. Major facilities include a process building (75'x 210'x 135, a heat e,cchanger building (75' x 140' x 36'-, a carbon dioxide tacilives building (50' x 75' x 36'-, a compressor building (55' x 160' x 18~, a pumphouse, return water collector tank, boilers; fin•fan cooler, administrative and laboratory building, parking lots and other tniaceltaneous tanks and facilities. A l3-acre evaporation pond may be constructed also to store solution fluids. Capital and operation costs aver the life of the project for the Piceance Site are estimated at over $403 million, not counting the pipeline and powerline or investments in Qarfield County. The initial processing and related facilities are estimated to cost over $34 million. with the wellfield development costing roughly $160 million (or the life of the project. The Planning Department has raised concerns about the water- quality characterization and data submitted in the Draft Environmental lirlpnct Statement, Mining Plan, and other documents submitted for this project. in a letter dated March 8, 1999, American Soda hoe proposed to address these issues but no completion daft was provided. The Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge Department has raised numerous concerns with the impact of this project on county roads. Damage fnom truck traffic, especially durin¢ initial construction, and winter maintenance on County Road N5 fa a concern. The Road and Bridge Department has requested n $1.5 million performance bond to cover road impacts during the conawction phase of this project.