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As part of the required consultation process, JCC has contacted the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) for wildlife review, and both the CDOW and USFWS will review this exploration plan and provide necessary cleazances. It is not anticipated that the proposed exploration activities will negatively impact existing wildlife species or populations. Land Uses -Prevailing land uses within the proposed exploration azea include rangeland, pastweland, cropland, and wildlife habitat, with rangeland being the dominant land use. In addition, there is a long history of coal mining in the Williams Fork Mountains and adjacent areas. Several small abandoned mines are located within the proposed exploration area, and active mining is ongoing, both to the east and west of the project area. Cultural or Archaeolcgical Resources -JCC contracted with Metcalf Archaeological Consultants to complete a cultwal resowce survey of all proposed exploration areas, including drill pad locations and the two Phased Geotechnical Investigation block areas. A copy of the survey report is provided in Appendix C. This survey did not identify any sites of significant cultwal interest or sites potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, within the proposed exploration areas. 5) Describe Exploration Activities Proposed Exnloration Activities -The primary methods of exploration and geologic, chemical, and geotechnical data collection proposed in this application include exploration drilling, geophysical logging, and sampling, and limited shallow trenching, followed by reclamation of all exploration disturbance, as more specifically described in the following sections' JCC plans to drill up to 33 exploration drillholes over a period of three yeazs (2006-2008) to further delineate and characterize geologic conditions, coal seam occurrence and quality, and overbwden physical and chemical characteristics. The drillholes are designated as drillholes BLM001 through BLM033, with an additional numeric descriptor to be added to designate the year in which each drillhole is completed (ie: 2006BLM001, if the designated drillhole is completed in 2006). Each of the proposed drill-sites are shown on Map 1, and listed in Table 1. Depending on drilling conditions, core recovery, and data requirements, the potential exists for any of the proposed drillholes, that it may be necessary to off-set from the initial drillhole location (no more than 20 feet and within the same drill pad distwbance area) and "twin" the original drillhole for the purpose of further sampling or geologic/hydrologic testing. JCC plans to initiate exploration activities immediately upon receipt of required approvals, and continue as weather and ground conditions allow. It is anticipated that the proposed exploration drilling will be conducted primarily during the summer and fall. In order to complete the exploration program in a timely manner and take advantage of drill-rig availability, JCC would like to reserve the option of drilling on a year-round basis, with the exception of early-spring and early-winter, when ground conditions may be unfavorable. JCC also plans to schedule drilling operations on a 24-how per day basis to minimize the overall time required to complete the exploration program. In the event that winter drilling is necessary, JCC would coordinate with the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) to keep specific gates locked to preclude public access, and to avoid areas of critical winter range. JCC would also coordinate with the CDOW to minimize potential impacts to grouse leks and active raptor nests during critical use periods. JCC also needs to evaluate surficial geology and slope stability for possible facilities placement within a defined block area of approximately 119 acres, as shown on Map 2. Selected portions of this block area will be evaluated through a combination of shallow drilling (hollow-stem auger and core) and sampling, backhoe trenching, physical testing (ie: cone penetrometer, etc.) and geophysical methods. Given that drillhole placement and sampling/testing will be defined by the results of both initial and ongoing site work, JCC is proposing phased geotechnical investigations within the defined block area. G:\Envimnmental\EXPIARATION WORK\EXPLR 2006 BIG ELK\Big Elk 2006 NOI App. Fom~.doc Page 9 of 17