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RESPONSES AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION <br />ATTACHMENT A <br />3.) Basis of Right to Enter for Exploration and Reclamation <br />The 2005-2007 Notice of Intent (NOI) Table 1 details proposed corehole and seismic line locations and <br />swface and coal ownership at these sites. Maps aze also attached illustrating exploration locations and <br />surface and coal ownership. The majority of surface ownership is Cross Mountain Ranch, with minor state <br />and Twentymile Coal Company (TCC) surface ownership. State of Colorado coal is ]eased to TCC at eight <br />of the proposed drill-sites: 2004CH03, 2004CH04, 2005CH02, 2005CH03, 200SCH04, 2005CH05, <br />2006CH02, and 2006CH03. TCC leases coal from Rocky Mountain Fuel Co. at drill-sites 2005CH01 and <br />2006CH01. State lease CO 3229 allows TCC to utilize as much of the surface as is needed to conduct its <br />mining and exploration operations. TCC will access drillholes 2004CH03, 2004CH04, 2005CH02, <br />2005CH03, 200SCH04, 2005CH05, 2006CH02, and 2006CH03 through Cross Mountain Ra~rch property. <br />An existing surface use agreement (attached) allows TCC to conduct the exploration activities on their <br />property. The existing agreement extends through July, 2005. TCC is working with Cross Mountain Ranch <br />to finalize a Master Surface Use Agreement, which will replace the existing agreement. It is reasonably <br />anticipated that the replacement agreement will be signed and finalized prior to expiration of the existing use <br />agreement. <br />Note that drill-site 2004CH03 was previously approved for exploration in 2002 and drill-site 2004CH04 was <br />previously approved for exploration in 2004. These sites were not drilled. Exploration in these areas has <br />been postponed until 2005. <br />4.) Description of Land to be Affected <br />Two of the ten exploration sites are located in Township S North, Range 86 West, Sections S and 18; the <br />remaining eight are located in Township 5 North, Range 87 West, Sections 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, and 3S. The <br />ten proposed exploration sites are all located within the Fish Creek drainage. Elevations range from <br />approximately 7,000 to 6,700 feet within the proposed exploration area. Vegetation typically consists of <br />sagebrush, rangeland, and cropland. Both cattle and sheep have historically grazed this area. Several <br />different soil types occur on the proposed drill-sites, including the Buckskin, Binco, and Aaberg Silty Clay <br />mapping units. Salvageable horizons of these soils vary from 28 to 60 inches deep. The areas to be affected <br />aze characterized as gently sloping topography. <br />A cultural resources survey was completed with survey results documented by a summary report prepared <br />for areas affected by the proposed 2005-2007 drilling and seismic exploration activities. A copy of the <br />report is attached for CDMG review. The report concludes that no significant cultural resowces were <br />encountered during the field surveys and recommends cultural resource clearance for this project. <br />The drillholes will intercept all or some of the following sandstone units found in the area. The Fish Creek <br />sandstone is a neaz-surface local unit that may be intercepted by some of the holes. The next sandstone <br />encountered will be the massive regional Twentymile Sandstone unit, and then, the Wadge Overburden, <br />which includes interbedded sands, silts, shales, and the Wadge coal seam. The basal sandstone is the <br />regionally continuous Trout Creek Sandstone. Presently, TCC monitors groundwater occurrence and <br />variations in the Twentymile Sandstone, Wadge Overbwden, and Trout Creek Sandstone. No impacts are <br />anticipated to these units, as a result of the proposed exploration activities. <br />-6- <br />