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• EXPLORATION PLAN The lands to be explored are located in Garfield and Mesa Counties, Colorado, Township 7 South Range 101 and 102 West and Township 8 South, Range 101 and 102 West. A Colorado vicinity map is included as Map 1 and a project azea map is included as Figure 1. The primary goal of the exploration activity is to refine coal seam occurrence, coal quality, methane gas quantity, and to test for the presence or absence of geologic discontinuities. Exploration drill holes from 1970's to the present exist within the proposed exploration areas that provide a preliminary evaluation of the geologic conditions. Additional data is required for detailed evaluation of the coal reserve. Surface Topography The rugged terrain of the exploration azea consists primazily of the ridges east and west of Big Salt Wash. Elevations vary from approximately 7400 feet in Section 23 (T 7S, R 1 02W) to 5,440 feet where Garvey Canyon meets Big Salt Wash, for a maximum relief of about 1,560 feet. Topography is shown on Figure 1, Location Map. Access to the proposed exploration holes is north on 16 Road to County Road 205. County Road 205 provides access to one of three improved roads located on BLM managed surface. The first improved road is in Garvey Canyon. The Garvey Canyon improved road • traverses about 4.8 miles to the southeast providing access toward hole M. The next improved access road is located at the mouth of an unnamed canyon southeast of Lapham Canyon. This improved road traverses about 1.5 miles to the Southwest providing access toward holes I, K, L. The next access road is the improved road up Lapham Canyon. The improved road up Lapham Canyon traverses about 2.0 miles to the northwest and then turns to the southwest providing access toward holes A, B, C, D, F and G. The exploration azea boundary includes the improved road up to Garvey Canyon and the unnamed canyon. The exploration azea boundary is approximately 1.5 miles from where the road up Lapham Canyon toms to the southwest. Final access to the proposed exploration holes will be on reestablished reclaimed roads and new roads. The exploration azea includes portions of the Garvey Canyon, Buniger Canyon, Hatchet Canyon, Post Canyon, and Lapham Canyon drainage areas. Geolo The surface geology of the exploration area is made up of the Mesaverde Group of upper Cretaceous Age, the Wasatch Formation of Lower Tertiary Age, and alluvium and colluvium of Quaternary Age. All local coal seams lie in the Mount Gazfield Formation of the Mesa Verde Group. There are four distinct coal beds, which may or may not be present within the exploration area. The upper two zones are inconsistent stringers, which occasionally converge to fore thicker seams. Both lower seams aze more predictable, and in the case of the Cameo seam, much thicker.