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ATTACHMENT D <br />EXISTING CONDITIONS - J-BIRD EXPLORATION PROJECT <br />The J-Bird Exploration Project area includes extensive surface disturbance that has occurred in the exploration <br />area including previous uranium exploration and drilling activities. The project will utilize these various existing access <br />roads and drill locations to minimize current exploration impacts to the area. <br />Archeological Survey <br />Western Archeological Services (WAS) performed a Class III pedestrian survey of select portions of the <br />exploration area to demonstrate project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. <br />On March 4`h and 6''' 2008, an archeological survey of 48 Uranium drill holes, associated drill pad area and <br />approximately 600' of proposed access road at the J-Birds Exploration Project was conducted by personnel of Western <br />Archeological Services, Mancos, Colorado. The area is located on Bureau of Land Management lands in Montrose <br />County, Colorado. No cultural resources were found and Archeological Clearance for all 48 drill holes is recommended. <br />Biological Review <br />A Federally Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species (TESS) review was conducted for the J Birds <br />Exploration Project Notice of Intent. Gault Group, Inc. (GGI) staff wildlife biologist conducted this review using the <br />USFWS Endangered Species Lists for Montrose County, CO (September, 2007), and the BLM Sensitive Species List <br />(September, 2007) seen in Table 1. <br />In addition to the TESS list reviews, a biological review site visit was conducted on April 22, 2008. During the <br />site visit the project area habitat was assessed. The general habitat of the project area is characterized by over-story <br />vegetation dominated by a dense pinion juniper woodland complex, while the understory vegetation contains mountain <br />mahogany, serviceberry, saltbush, snakeweed, ephedra, seasonal grasses and forbs, and inter-mixed cactus - primarily <br />prickly pear cactus. The understory is generally sparse as the project area has a large percentage of exposed bedrock. <br />Vegetation disturbance associated with drilling should be minimal, since the majority of drilling activities are <br />proposed to occur on previously disturbed areas, existing road prisms and areas that have been mined historically. No <br />riparian, wetland or stream habitat will be directly affected by activities associated with drilling operations. <br />Based on the review of the TESS species lists and a biological review site visit, GGI believes that there will be no <br />affect to endangered, threatened, or BLM listed sensitive species by the proposed project, since there will be minimal new <br />disturbance, and the majority of the exploration activities will occur on previously disturbed sites or within existing road <br />prisms. <br />Bluerock Energy Corp. <br />J-Bird Exploration Project <br />05/19/2008 <br />1