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3.) Basis of Right to Enter for Ezploration and Reclamation 1997 Notice of Intent (NOI) Table 1 details proposed hole locations and surface and coal ownership at each site. Federal coal is leased to Twentymile Coal Company (TCC) at four of the eleven proposed drill sites. One site is a state coal lease issued to TCC with coal at the remaining 6 sites privately owned. TCC owns or partially owns the coal th 5 of the 6 privately owned sites proposed for exploration. Mr. Paul Swisher owns the coal at the remaining site (97004). Surface ownership is controlled by TCC at eight of the eleven proposed sites. TCC holds the right to enter the SE%. of Section 28 (97010) via the purchase agreement specified in Table l of this application (a copy of this document has been forwarded to DMG with this application). The remaining two sites are privately owned by Gulf Oil Corporation (97001) and Mr. Paul Swisher (97004). TCC will obtain written permission to access Mr. Svvisher's Section 25 property and GulFs Section 26 property prior to initiating exploration activities at these sites. With the exception of site 97004, all sites aze located within the existing Permit No. C-82-056 permit boundary. 4.) Description of Land to be Affected The proposed exploration sites aze all located th Township 5 North, Range 86 West. Exploration sites are proposed in Sections l3, 14, 16, 21, 25, 26, 27, and 28 within the Fish Creek, Middle Creek, and Foidel Creek drainages. Elevation ranges from 6700 to 7400 feet within the proposed exploration area. Vegetation typically consists of low sagebrush and pastureland with the exception of proposed site 97010 which occurs in a mountain shrub area. Land uses include cropland, pastureland, and rangeland at site 97010. Cropland is typically utilized for the production of wheat while both cattle and sheep have historically utilized the pastureland. Several different soil types occur at the proposed drill sites. The proposed sites occur within the Buckskin, Winevada/Splitro, Clayburn, Winevada, Binco, and Dunckley/Skyway mapping units. Salvageable horizons of these soils average approximately 24" deep. The topography of the areas to be affected is gently sloping in nature. Cultural resources clearance has been obtained for all sites except 97001 and 97010. TCC will obtain the appropriate clearance for these sites prior to initiating any earthwork activities at these sites. 5.) Describe Ezploration Activities It is anticipated the drilling program will be wnducted during the summer and fall of 1997 while weather conditions for field activities are most favorable. Routt County Roads 27, 29, and 33 will provide primary access to the project area with secondary access routes used as indicated on the enclosed map. Exploration activities aze estimated to require less than two weeks of drilling per hole for sites 97001 through 97010. Up to four weeks of drilling activity may be required at site 97011 as multiple holes are proposed for this site. It is unlikely that all of the sites indicated will be drilled. The exploration program will be modified and tailored as necessary depending upon the results of the initial drilling, rig availability, and weather conditions. The proposed plan provides for maximum flexibility in the drilling program by seeking approval for all potentially drilled locations. Road Construction: Existing roads and trails will be used whenever possible to minimize the amount of road construction undertaken within the drilling azea. Significant alterations of existing roads are not anticipated. TCC does not intend to develop access roads beyond general leveling 1: \documentUcarl\97 not