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. ~~ ID~ ly[_]V 15'94 9;51 No .003 P.03 The second option as discussed in the field is the use of the existing river crossing just to the north of the current mine area. The Axial Basin ranch operators have recommended this route (which utilizes a gravel bar for the crossing) to alleviate some potential for adverse ground conditions which the upper access route may be more prone to, With the current low water conditions, this route would appear to ba the more preferable, especially es the drill rig could be recovered far more easily in the event adverse ground conditions are encountered during the drilling activities then if the upland route (with two or three steep inclines) were utilized, The actual width of the river crossing is approxirc,ately 100 feet, with access to and from the crossing utilizing a short segment of th;: channel currently above waterline on each side of the river. Existing access cuts in the bank would be utilized to reach the riverbed and crossing, and no roadway prep should be required or involved with this access option. The proposed hole location will likely be moved to the wear some 100-150 feet to the edge of the field area where te,e toe of the undeveloped rangeland area encroaches. This will place the drill site opproximately 1000 feet from the river et the closest point, with access points coming closer las noted previously) near bends In the river. While some portions of the vehicle access may be closer than the drill site itself to the river, CEC feels that the potential for impact to wildlife is negligible, in light of the presence of the railroad immediately adjacent to the river in the area of interest in conjunction with current ranching activities. Travel to and from the site would be minimized to the greatest exts~t practicable, and completing the drilling in the shortest possible time will be of utmost priority. It is anticipated that CEC could complete the activity in a period of ten days from site prep to hole abandonment. A half-day later on to finish grading end reclamation work would be needed once the mud pits dried, but this could potentially be delayed until the spring months. As discussed, CEC at this time intends to simply utilize the hole for exploration purposes only, and will abandon the hole in the normal manner utilizing either a bentonite or cementltloua grout. This is changed from the initial submittal, in which it was originally planned to retain the hole for potential future use as a pilot hole. However, due to equipment requirements, timing, and planning needs, CEC will not be re-using this hole under the proposed TR. Janet, it would be appreciated if you could discuss this with DOW as soon es youcan, so that we can still possibly complete this hole this year es discussed. Should you have any questions or comments, please contest me so that we can help to expedite this revision. Sincerely, Marcus A. Middleton Environmental Engineer