Laserfiche WebLink
will then be filled back in and associated disturbance areas reclaimed, as appropriate. <br />Maximum disturbance area for trench exploration is expected to be approximately 0.5 acres. <br />Drill Site Construction <br />Most drilling can be conducted with minimal site preparation, since the drill can be set-up and <br />leveled using self-contained hydraulic jacks. Where site preparation is necessary due to rugged <br />terrain or the need to utilize drilling fluids, a pad approximately 40 feet in width and 100 feet in <br />length will be established. Pad preparation will involve the use of a tracked dozer or backhoe <br />to remove and stockpile topsoil material in windrows on the perimeter of the pad for eventual <br />replacement and revegetation, and to establish a level drill site within the stripped area. <br />[f feasible, based on hole depth and drilling conditions, portable metal pits will be utilized to <br />mix and contain necessary drilling fluids. If greater pit capacity is required than would be <br />feasible using portable pits, mud pits for the containment of drilling fluids and cuttings will be <br />constructed within the pad area. Each pit will be a maximum of 20 feet in length, 4 feet in <br />width and 8 feet deep (23.7 cubic yards each). Mud pits will be excavated with a backhoe to <br />allow segregation of available soil materials. Maximum disturbance area for each drill site is <br />expected to be approximately 0.1 acres. <br />Drilling and Related Activities <br />All drilling and related operations will be conducted by experienced drillers in such a way as to <br />minimize potential environmental impacts and will be supervised by a qualified geologist or <br />engineer <br />Because of required drilling depths, OMI does not generally drill pilot holes to identify coring <br />intervals. Rather, coring begins above the tazget' interval based upon available geologic <br />information. Coring is utilized primarily to quantify coal depth, thickness, and quality; <br />parting thickness, and location; and to characterize coal seam roof and floor materials. Core <br />samples are recovered, logged, and sent to a laboratory for analysis. <br />During drilling, OMI will control dust from drilling and related activities, divert and control <br />both natural runoff from disturbed azeas and fluid loss from drilling, and will clean-up any <br />trash or debris. If air is utilized as the circulation medium, dust from drilling will be controlled <br />by a flexible shroud at the drill collar. Drill cuttings and drilling fluids will be effectively <br />contained by portable pits or mud pits within the drill pad area. <br />Site Reclamation <br />Where the need exists for additional groundwater monitoring information, drillholes may be <br />completed as monitoring wells. Upon completion of drilling and related activities, any <br />drillhole not completed as a monitoring well will be backfilled, sealed and abandoned. During <br />drilling, fluid return will be monitored to identify the depth and extent of any water-producing <br />zones. Upon abandonment, a cement grout seal will be established, extending 20 feet above <br />and below any such zones. The remainder of the drillhole will be backfilled with drilling mud <br />and/or cuttings to within 20 feet of the surface. A cement plug will be established from the <br />top of the backfill to within three (3) feet of the surface, a metal post will be placed in the hole <br />as a permanent mazker, and the remaining interval will be backfilled with soil material to the <br />ground surface. All trash and debris will be removed from drill sites for disposal and any excess <br />cuttings will be spread over the site. <br />