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OXBOW MINING, LLC NOTICE OF INTENT FOR 2006 NORTHEAST ELK CREEK EXPLORATION PROGRAM 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF LAND TO BE AFFECTED The area where the proposed exploration activities will occur includes portions of the Elk Creek and Sanborn Creek drainages located on the north side of the North Foxk of the Gunnison River. Elevations in the immediate vicinity range from approximately 6,000 feet to 7,600 feet above mean sea level (amsl). The area is semi-arid with annual precipitation of approximately 17 inches. Soils vary in thickness from 0" on steep side slopes and rock outcrops to possibly 2' - 3' in drainage bottoms. Due to the general steepness of the terrain, the drainage bottoms often contain a high percentage of rocky materials deposited by erosional and/or mass wasting processes. Vegetation on the lower elevations and slopes is predominantly a mixture of a mountain shrub community dominated by Gambel's Oak and aJunipex woodland. Along the creeks, above approximately 7,000 feet in elevation, some dispersed Douglas firs axe found. Higher elevations contain stands of Aspen. Both creek drainages are characteristic ephemeral drainages with flows occurring in response to spring snowmelt and runoff from major rainfall events. No creek crossings are anticipated. 5.0 DESCRIPTION OF DRILLING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES Exploration Access -The drill sites will be accessed from existing two track ranch roads that extend up Coal Bank canyon and further onto the upland slopes of the two drainage basins. The existing road alignments will not requite modification. Required road maintenance will generally include grading the road to provide a smooth operating surface, clean-out and repair of any existing drainage structures and application of temporary drainage control measutes (berms, straw bales, sIlt fences, gravel surfacing, etc.), as necessary. Approximately, 900 feet of former 4wd road now designated as 4 wheeler Forest Service Trail NFST-806 will be utilized and 3,850 feet of new temporary, light use road will be constructed to access the two proposed exploration sites. As shown on the attached map and the table below, these road segments range from approximately 345' to 3,505' in length for a total estimated combined distance of 3850' (.73 mile). New road construction will consist oEside-cast construction, field fitted as conditions require. All new road construction has been ox will be cleared fox cultural resources, T & E and sensitive species. The 900 feet of NFST 806 will be reclaimed to the prior condition and width with water bars replaced. The intent is to xemm the trail back to the pre-project condition as a forest trail. The 3,850' of new road construction will be obliterated and reclaimed. Drill Site Construction -The two holes proposed in this 2006 exploration program can be summarized by the following information: Existing Site # Surface Ownershi Status New Road Road/trail Hole De th 1 ECM-O6-30 USFS LICENSE 3505' 0' 2800' 2 ECM-OS-24 USFS LICENSE 345' 900' 2800' Total 3850' 900' Most drilling can be conducted with minimal site preparation, since the drill rig can be set-up and leveled using self-contained hydxauhc jacks. Where site preparation is necessary due to the need to utilize drilling fluids, a pad having maximum dimensions of approximately 80 feet in width and 130 feet in length will be established. Pad preparation will involve the use of a tracked dozer or backhoe to establish a level drill site. If topsoil exists, up to 12" will be salvaged and stored in a stockpile(s) located along the side of the pad and marked with a "topsoil" sign. Soll stripping will not occur in areas that have been previously disturbed and little or no soil material remains, typically in areas of 30% or greater slopes. The site will be restored to approximate original contour. Shrubs, trees and other organic matter removed during pad preparation may be incorporated onto the regraded surface prior to seeding to enhance reclamation of this disturbed site.