GENERAL54000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Access for drilling the coal exploration holes is proposed using a combination of existing forest trails and new temporazy access roads. This proposal includes temporary road construction on approximately 0.17 miles of existing trail and construction of approximately 0.89 miles of new temporary roads. A temporary road is one that is not intended to be part of the forest transportation system and not necessary for long-term resource management. Most existing road alignments will not require modification, but required road maintenance may include grading the road to provide a smooth operating surface, clean-out and repair of any existing drainage ditches and application of temporary drainage control measures such as berms, straw bales, silt fences, and gravel surfacing, as necessary. Following the conclusion of drilling activities, the temporary roads will be obliterated by grading to approximate original contour. Obliteration of the temporary roads will also include replacing removed boulders, seeding, and placing tree and brush materials across the recontoured areas. __ We believe. at.tlris time that, an environmental assessment is the appropriate and required level of documentation of the environmental analysis for this proposed action (i.e., exploration as proposed by Oxbow Mining, L.L.C.). 'This is based on consideration of the proposal in the context factors described in Forest Service Handbook 1909.15 for making this determination. We will review this determination following public scoping. Exploration Dri11 Holes ECM-OS-24, ECM-OS-28 and ECM-06-30 will be accessed from the south by first crossing OMLLC fee lands, and public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Approximately 900 feet of road construction is proposed on National Forest Service Trail 806 (NEST 806) to access the location of the new temporary constructed road. Approximately 4,700 feet of new temporary road will be constructed to access these three sites. NEST 806 will be placed back into its approximate original condition, with water bazs replaced and the trail reseeded. The intent is to return the trail back to its original, pre-project function and configuration suitable for continued use as a forest system trail. .., .. Exploration Drill Hole ECM 06-32 will be accessed from the north using existing classified National Forest Service Road 704.4D (NFSR 704.4D). A 50 foot section of new temporary road will be constructed to access this site. Drilling can be conducted with minimal site prepazation, since the drill rig can be set-up and leveled using self-contained hydraulic jacks. Where site prepazation 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 along one side of the pad and marked with a "topsoil" sign. Drill holes will be drilled using rotary or auger drilling methods to the depth of the desired coring interval. In order to avoid potential sample contamination, drill holes will be completed to the extent possible with air, air-foam, or water as the circulation medium. If drilling muds are necessazy to maintain circulation and drill hole integrity, polymer muds that are free of metallic compounds will be utilized. If feasible, a portable drill mud pit will be utilized to mix and contain necessary drilling fluids. If greater pit capacity is required than would be feasible using a portable mud pit, drill mud pits for the containment of drilling fluids and cuttings will be excavated with a backhoe within the pad area. The pit will be a maximum of 20 feet in length, 4 feet in width and 8 feet deep (23.7 cubic yards~each).