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Coullblethune Dramupe Psgert- Panek 76-24 Wett Elk Mine • Pupc 1G
<br />miles of existing or previously constructed roads and trails would be reconstructed or improved, and
<br />approximately 4.1 miles of new road would be constructed as temporary roads to access the MDW
<br />drill-sites. With the exception of the Long Draw Saddle Road, the Sylvester Gulch Road, described in
<br />Section 1.3.1, and short segments of the West Flatiron and Long Draw roads, all internal roads would
<br />be temporary roads. Previously constructed, existing, and proposed roads are shown and clearly
<br />designated on Map Ml, Project Area Activities With Surface Stipulations, and summarized by Tables
<br />T1A, Collector Roads Summary and Table T]B, Local Roads Summary. There are some areas where
<br />proposed road locations cross steep slope areas, areas of high geologic hazazd, or run parallel to the
<br />stream course within or adjacent to the WIZ. Exceptions to the lease stipulations would be required
<br />where roads cross restricted areas, as shown on Map Ml, Project Area Activities With Surface
<br />Stipulations.
<br />Road construction/reconstruction activities would involve recovery and windrowing or stockpiling
<br />soil along the road alignment, installation of appropriate drainage structures (culverts, ditches, water
<br />bars), grading of the road surface to establish a travel width of 14 feet (may be wider where approved
<br />by USFS representative), and stabilization of disturbed sideslopes and fills. Road construction would
<br />use available native materials, including rock from natural outcrops adjacent to road alignments.
<br />Volumes of rock used would generally be less than 100 cubic yazds. Average disturbance width
<br />(includes cuts, fills, travel surface, and drainage structures) for the temporary access roads is projected
<br />at approximately 30 feet, as shown by Figure F2, Typical Access Road Configuration. All temporary
<br />roads in the project azea would be closed to pubhc motorized use for the duration of the project.
<br />Access would be controlled by gates and appropriate signs under an adnnistratve road closure.
<br />The Long Draw Saddle Road and short segments of the West Flatiron and Long Draw roads would
<br />remain in-place for approximately the next 30 years to support future coal mining activities as
<br />outlined in Section 2.5. The roads would be constructed to USFS standards for "classified" Forest
<br />System roads for long-term vehicular access. In addition to mining- related traf&c, the roads would
<br />be open to administrative use including, but not limited to, access for fire control and range
<br />management activities. The Long Draw Saddle Road and associated road segments would be
<br />reclaimed and obliterated.
<br />1.3.4 Construct Temporary Drill Pads
<br />Drilling and operation of the proposed MDWs would require constmction of approximately 54
<br />temporary drill pads, as shown on Map Ml, Project Area Activities With Surface Stipulations. The
<br />drill pads would be of irregular configuration with an average surface area of approximately 0.5 acres
<br />to provide a level azea for drilling operations and for temporary storage of drilling equipment,
<br />supplies, drilling fluids, and drill cuttings. Dependent on the number of MDWs to be drilled on the
<br />pad, terrain, and construction cut/fill requirements, total pad disturbance would be somewhat greater,
<br />with a maximum surface area of 1.0 acres. In certain aeeas topographic or environmental
<br />considerations may dictate a longer, narrower pad. Proposed drill pad locations provide for relatively
<br />uniform spacing of MDWs within each longwall panel, would facilitate vertical or neaz-vertical
<br />drilling, and reflect access considerations. Drill pad construction would involve soil salvage, grading
<br />of the pad azea to create a level operating surface, construction of eazthen berms on the pad
<br />perimeter to control surface runoff from the pad area, and excavation of any required "mud pits" to
<br />contain drilling fluids during drilling operations. Any required "mud pits" would be approximately 10
<br />x 20 x 6 feet deep and would be within the bermed pad azea. It is anticipated that one or more of the
<br />initial drill pads in each specific portion of the project azea would be used as staging aeeas for
<br />construction of subsequent drill pads and drilling operations. There are some aeeas where proposed
<br />drill pads are located in steep slope areas, areas of high geologic hazard, or in or adjacent to WIZs.
<br />Exceptions ro the lease stipulations would be required where drill pads encroach on restricted areas,
<br />as shown on Map Ml, Project Area Activities with Surface Stipulations.
<br />Enviennmental Afrerfinent
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