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Seismic drillholes will be approximately 20 to 22 feet deep and will have a nominal diameter of 4.5 inches. <br />The cuttings from the drillholes will be mixed with bentonite chips and wilt be used as stemming over a 1 <br />pound biodegadable charge that will be placed in the bottom of shot-hole. The holes will be drilled with a <br />small auger drill-rig mounted on tires or tracks. There are no plans t0 construct any roads to aid in the <br />drilling of the holes. The rig is sufficiently mobile to eliminate the need for road building. All fence damage <br />will be repaired immediately upon completion of the seismic lines. Upon completion of the program, the <br />shot-wires, marker stakes, survey flagging, left over supplies, and all trash, geophones, and cable will be <br />recovered. Based on the limited depth of the holes and the fact that the cuttings will be used to backfill the <br />holes prior to shooting, no further reclamation work is planned. <br />6.) Threatened or Endangered Species <br />In June 1997, Mr. Terry Ireland of the Grand Junction Office of the USFWS was contacted to identify any <br />currently listed threatened or endangered species potentially occurring within the project area. Mr. Ireland <br />identified two currently listed species as potential inhabitants of Township 5 North, Range 86 West, 6`" <br />Principle Meridian, Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute Lady's Tresses), and Halieaeetus leucocephalus (Bald Eagle). <br />In addition, the Upper Colorado River Basin has been identified as providing critical habitat for four (4) <br />endangered fish species: Pytchocheilus Lucius (Colorado Pike-Minnow), Gila cypha (Humpback Chub), Gila <br />elegans (Bonytail Chub), and Xyrauchen texanus (Razorback Sucker). Lastly, two candidate species were <br />noted for the azea: boreal toad and Canada lynx. <br />With respect to the Ute Lady's Tresses, the habitat for this species is defined to occur at elevations less than <br />6,500'. All disturbance and activity associated with this project will occur at elevations well in excess of <br />6,500'. Raptor surveys completed in the azea during the spring of 1997 and 1998 by Mr. John Monazch of <br />Monarch and Associates did not document the presence of bald eagles in the project area. No water <br />depletions are anticipated as a result of the proposed exploration efforts; therefore, no impacts are anticipated <br />for the endangered fish species identified. The boreal toad habitat typically occurs at elevations exceeding <br />7,500'. All disturbance and activity associated with this project will occur at elevations below 7,500'. <br />Lastly, the project area is too low to provide suitable lynx habitat except perhaps during the u7nter months. <br />No activities aze proposed for the winter. <br />Given the above information, TCC submits that the exploration and reclamation described in this application <br />will not jeopazdize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species listed pursuant to Section <br />4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) or the Non-game, Endangered or Threatened <br />Species Conservation Act (Section 33-8-101 et seq. C.R.S. 1973) or result in the destruction or adverse <br />modification of critical habitat of those species. <br />7.) ConTdential Materials <br />TCC requests that the attached Tables 1, 2, and 3 be held as confidential, due to the sensitive nature of the <br />drillhole depths specified in the application. <br />-9- <br />