2008-07-28_PERMIT FILE - X200822902 (3)

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elevation canyons or valleys, such as Lorencito Canyon. Baseline and annual monitoring for ground water indicate low groundwater presence due to the confined aquifers which have low hydraulic conductivity and correspondingly low storativity. The few springs on site yield very little water. The vegetation types in the vicinity of the drill hole locations are generally the oak/pinyon pine and coniferous forest types with some inclusions of the mountain shrub type. These types are described in detail in the Lorencito Mine Permit. The coniferous forest type is dominated by ponderosa pine and Douglas fir with serviceberry and Gambel oak in the understory. The oak/pinyon pine type has pinyon pine and both Gambel oak and shrub live oak as dominants. The mountain shrub type includes Gambel and shrub live oak, mountain mahogany, and skunk bush sumac. All types have a somewhat sparse ground cover of perennial grasses and forbs. Baseline study efforts did not encounter sensitive plant species nor suitable habitat required for these sensitive plants. Wildlife species are typical for the habitat types present. Large numbers of elk and mule deer occur year round in the project area. Merriam's turkey, black bear, and coyotes occur year round but are not necessarily common. Red-tailed hawks and occasionally golden eagles have been observed. Aquatic species are very limited because of a lack of suitable habitat. There were no T&E species observed during field surveys and it was concluded that there was a low potential for T&E species or their required habitat. Part II. Item 5. Proposed exploration activities: The primary methods of exploration and geologic and chemical data collection proposed include exploration drilling, geophysical logging, and sampling. Reclamation of all exploration disturbances will occur as described in the following sections. Ten exploration drill holes will be described in the latter part of August and possibly into early September to further delineate and characterize geologic conditions, coal seam occurrence and quality, and overburden physical and chemical characteristics. The drill holes are designated as 1 through 10 with an additional descriptor that is the Pioneer Energy CBM well number. The proposed drill sites area shown on Map 1 and are listed in Table 1. Exploration activities will be initiated immediately upon receipt of required approvals and continue as weather and ground conditions allow. Drilling is scheduled to operate on a 12-hour per day basis (approximately 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM). It is requested that drilling operations be allowed on a 24 hour basis if unforeseen delays cause the project schedule to fall behind.