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A BLM wildlife biologist would also review the project area and identity areas and
<br />species of concern. This work would be completed on foot. Should a threatened,
<br />endangered or candidate species be identified during the survey the area would be
<br />flagged for potential avoidance, where necessary. Means of avoidance of any wildlife
<br />resource would be determined, necessary project attributes would be relocated and/or
<br />project timing restriction imposed.
<br />PROPOSED ACTION
<br />The proposed drilling points are positioned in an array over the project area and spaced
<br />to gain maximum information while limiting the number of points, length of travel routes
<br />and minimize surface disturbance (Figures 1 & 2). The points are concentrated where
<br />reserves are more likely to be encountered or where sub-surface information is less
<br />understood and where geologic anomalies may be present. Access roads are
<br />configured to minimize surface disturbance, minimize drainage crossings and best
<br />utilize the existing topography in the area. A list of hole names, claim serial numbers,
<br />legal description and coordinate can be found in Table 1 below.
<br />Table 1: Exploration Hold Locations
<br />
<br />HOLE ID CLAIM
<br />NUMBER
<br />LEGAL DESCR.
<br />UTM EAST
<br />UTM NORTH
<br />DEPTH
<br />
<br />VX-08-001
<br />Vex 9 11
<br />SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W,
<br />4231914.153
<br />697054.86
<br />750'
<br />VX-08-002 Vex 9 SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231852.846 697054.986 750'
<br />VX-08-003 Vex 9 / 10 SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231792.62 697054.351 750'
<br />VX-08-004 Vex 10 SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231728.886 697054.124 750'
<br />VX-08-005 Vex 10 SW14 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231667.799 697054.833 750'
<br />VX-08-006 Vex 9 SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231885.477 697128.571 750'
<br />VX-08-007 Vex 9 SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231821.996 697128.525 750'
<br />VX-08-008 Vex 10 SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231762.636 697129.745 750'
<br />VX-08-009 Vex 10 SW/4 NE/4, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231705.301 697131.943 750'
<br />VX-08-010 Vex 10 SW/4 NE14, Section 28, T46N, R17W, 4231643.271 697131.596 750'
<br />Note: UTM in NAD 83 / WGS 84
<br />The exploratory drilling project would involve: a) the construction of 5,202' (1 mile) of
<br />new or upgraded travel route; b) the possible construction of up to ten exploration
<br />drilling pits for drill fluids and cuttings (these pits would not be constructed unless water
<br />is encountered during drilling; and c) the drilling of the uranium claims to determine the
<br />quality and quantity of federal reserves within the project area and better understand the
<br />underground geologic strata. Drilling of holes by truck-mounted drills would account for
<br />the majority of work to be completed in the project area.
<br />The following sections provide additional details regarding project activities.
<br />Figure 3 illustrates the types of equipment to be used in the Vex Project.
<br />Construction and Exploration Drilling
<br />Where possible, the drilling rig would proceed from one drill point to the next with a
<br />single pass per travel route. The travel routes would not be bladed or graded unless
<br />necessary but multiple trips across the travel routes with the drilling rig and supply
<br />transports would result in considerable disturbance to the travel routes. One travel
<br />route is proposed that accesses the project area drill holes. The drilling rig would
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