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<br />The possibility of intermixing of groundwaters and raising or <br />lowering levels of certain aquifers is extremely low when proper abandonment <br />procedures are implemented. Three types of abandonment procedures will be <br />utilized to ensure no aquifer contamination. These procedures do comply <br />with the United States Geological Survey and 30 CFR 211.40 (a) (3). <br />1) Holes drilled within the surface mining limit that do <br />not intersect any major aquifers will be abandoned with <br />drill cuttings and capped with 5' of cement. <br />2) Holes drilled to depths greater than the surface mining <br />limit and do not intersect any major aquifers will be <br />abandoned with an approved abandonment fluid. The <br />fluid will be mixed to recommended specifications, <br />pumped from bottom to top, and capped with 5' of <br />cement. <br />3) Holes drilled that do penetrate a flowing aquifer will <br />be cemented from top to bottom. <br />No blasting will be conducted, and neither gas nor water pressure <br />is expected to be encountered in the proposed drilling program. No blow- <br />out control devices will be necessary because there are no known valuable <br />oil, gas, or geothermal resources within the stratigraphic section targeted <br />by this exploration plan. Drill sites will be conditioned at all times to <br />prevent injury to persons, livestock and wildlife. If mud pits are <br />necessary and are used, they will be fenced to prevent entry by livestock <br />or wildlife. <br />Prior to abandonment of a drill site, all trash and debris will <br />be removed. <br />Through the use of grading, backfilling, contouring and <br />compacting (where necessary to insure stability) all drill sites will be <br />regraded after completion of the proposed exploration program to their <br />approximate original contour. Mud pits, if utilized, will be backfilled <br />with the material originally taken out of the pit. <br />-12- <br />