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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. Twelve foot wide access
<br />roads are configured to minimize surface disturbance, minimize drainage crossings and
<br />best utilize the existing topography in the area. A list of hole names, claim serial
<br />numbers, legal description and coordinate can be found in Table 1 below.
<br />Table 1: Exploration Hole Locations
<br />HOLE ID CLAIM NUMBER LEGAL DESCR. UTM EAST UTM NORTH DEPTH
<br />AM-08-001 AM 70 SE/4 SE/4, Section 17, T48N, R17W, 4253346.885 695499.25 750
<br />AM-08-003 AM 76 SW/4 SE/4, Section 17, T48N, R17W, 4253593.725 695033.86 750
<br />AM-08-004 AM 79 SW/4 SE/4, Section 17, T48N, R17W, 4253729.346 694816.31 750
<br />AM-08-005 AM 79 NE/4 SW/4, Section 17, T48N, R17W, 4253991.559 694518.8 750
<br />AM-08-006 AM 48 SW/4 NW/4, Section 17, T48N, R17W, 4254175.747 694240.46 750
<br />AM-08-007 AM 49 NW/4 NW/4, Section 17, T48N, R17W, 4254920.875 693981.52 750
<br />AM-08-008 AM 49 NW/4 NW/4, Section 17, T48N, R17W, 4254800.951 694025.91 750
<br />AM-08-009 AM 11 SE/4 SE/4, Section 8, T48N, R17W, 4255286.764 695414.61 750
<br />AM-08-010 AM 11 SE/4 SE/4, Section 8, T48N, R1 7W, 4255343.052 695421.04 750
<br />AM-08-011 AM 11 NE/4 SE/4, Section 8, T48N, R17W, 4255406.037 695419.82 750
<br />AM-08-012 AM 103 NW/4 NW/4, Section 21, T48N, R17W, 4253051.401 695720.18 750
<br />AM-08-013 AM 103 NW/4 NW/4, Section 21, T48N, R17W, 4252976.689 695716.77 750
<br />AM-08-014 AM 103 NW/4 NW/4, Section 21, T48N, R17W, 4252916.863 695731.9 750
<br />AM-08-015 AM 21 Lot 2, Section 16, T48N, R17W, 4254802.051 696651.45 750
<br />Note: UTM in NAD 83 / WGS 84
<br />The exploratory drilling project would involve: a) the construction of 2,160' of new or
<br />upgraded twelve foot wide travel route; b) the possible construction of up to fourteen
<br />exploration drilling pits for drill fluids and cuttings (these pits would not be constructed
<br />unless water is encountered during drilling; and c) the drilling of the uranium claims to
<br />determine the quality and quantity of federal reserves within the project area and better
<br />understand the underground geologic strata. Drilling of holes by truck-mounted drills
<br />would account for 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 Atkinson Mesa Project.
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