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Section - 2.05.3 <br />133. This road is approximately 120 feet long, 10 feet wide, and includes a culvert <br />crossing of the road ditch along the old State Highway. OMI obtained a highway <br />access pemtit from the Colorado Department of Highways for this connecting road <br />and the associated construction. <br />D. Powexlne and Exploration Roads -There are a number of existing powexline and <br />exploration roads within the mine pextnit azea which were established to provide <br />access for powexline construction and exploration drilling prior to 1976. Most of <br />these roads were either never reclaimed ox have been retained for powexline <br />inspection and maintenance by Delta-Montrose Electric Association, as the local <br />electric utility and all are classified as light-use roads. <br />The only existing powexline road currently utilized for rniuing-related purposes is the <br />light-use road along the power transmission line that extends from Elk Creek to <br />Hubbazd Creek. This road, which was constructed in conjunction with installation <br />of the powexline prior to 1976, is approximately 6.3 miles long. The road has been <br />used for access to exploration drillsites and is now used occasionally (primarily by <br />AT~ fox inspection and monitoring of upland areas, ua addition to powexline <br />inspection and maintenance. Because it traverses some extremely rugged terrain, <br />much of the road exceeds 10 percent grade and portions have pitch grades of over <br />20 percent. This road is currently stable, no modifications to the road are planned, <br />and maintenance will be limited to repair of any significant erosion or slides and <br />minor grading as necessary to maintain access. This road includes a stream ford <br />crossing of Bear Creek, located above the point that the Somerset Mine previously <br />discharged water to Bear Creek. <br />Three new segments of light-use road totaling approximately 3,100 feet have been <br />constructed from existing powexline access and drill roads to access new power pole <br />locations for relocation of existing powerlines. These new road segments were <br />reseeded on completion of powexline relocation to control erosion but will remain <br />for long-term powexline access. <br />E. Degasification Well Roads -Existing public, private, powexline and/or exploration <br />roads may be used to access degasification well sites. Minor road improvements <br />such as grading and widening (to a typical maximum width of 20-feet) in certain <br />aeeas have been and will be completed as necessary to provide for drill equipment <br />access dependent on existing road conditions. In addition, some well sites may be <br />beyond the limits of existing roads, requiring construction of short road extensions <br />typically up to 800 feet in length. Five new light-use road segments were constructed <br />in upper Coal Gulch to improve access to degasification wells CBM-1 through <br />CBM-15. Two new light-use road segments axe constructed in the Beaz Creek <br />drainage to access GVB-LW3-Ol and GVB-LW4-Ol. Any road improvements will <br />be limited and are (and will be) consistent with the light-use designation for these <br />roads. These roads were (and will be) utilized for initial site development and will <br />continue to be utilized for ongoing site inspections and maintenance so long as the <br />degasificadon installations are in active use. <br />F. Elk Creek Light-Use Road -The Elk Creek light-use road will be developed by <br />upgrading the existing light-use exploration road running to the southwest on the <br />west side of Elk Creek. The existing road is partially cut-off by the existing natural <br />landslide in this area. The road will initially be reestablished and extended and used <br />in conjunction with slope stabilization activities for movement of surficial slide <br />material downslope to construct the Elk Creek Mine facihties postal bench and road <br />and for access to construct the upper rock catch bench. Following construction, the <br />road will be retained for inspection and maintenance of the slope stabilization area, <br />TR-46 2.05-31a Revised June 2004 <br />