2008-09-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (2)

Home Browse Search

RULE 2 PERMITS Seeding of rehabilitated drill sites and access road locations will be accomplished in the first favorable season upon completion, during the fall or early spring. The reestablishment of vegetation on drill hole sites and abandoned roads, after exploration activities are concluded, is the planned method to prevent possible soil erosion. Some exploration drilling will be conducted ahead of the surface mining activities. Where the drill site will be mined through shortly (less than one growing season) after the conclusion of drilling, reclamation will be accomplished after mining, not as described in this Section, but rather in accordance with reclama- tion plan 2.05.4. Because air is the anticipated drilling medium, contamination of water producing areas, such as streams, springs, stockponds and groundwater, will be negligible. In the event air proves to be an insufficient drilling medium, a non-toxic biodegradable foam will be used. It is anticipated that mud will not be used as drilling medium. Water, if used in the drilling operation, will be recirculated to eliminate contamination to water areas. If necessary, access roads and drill sites will be sprinkled with water to prevent dusty conditions. No blasting will be conducted, nor is any gas or water pressure expected to be encountered in the drilling program. No blowout control devices will be necessary because there are no known valuable oil, gas, or geothermal resources in the planned drilling area. Drill sites will be maintained at all times to prevent injury to persons, livestock and wildlife. If mud pits are necessary and are used, they will be fenced to prevent entry by livestock or wildlife. All drilling and exploration personnel will wear hardhats and steel toed shoes or boots, and will adhere to the applicable Federal, State and Colowyo safety and health regulations. Exploration holes containing significant amounts of water will be plugged the entire depth with concrete or other suitable media. Otherwise, all dry holes will be backfilled with drill cuttings to within 10 feet of the top, then plugged with concrete up to the surface. All remaining cuttings will be scattered evenly over the drill pad followed by the completion of reclamation. Colowyo will use a rotary drill to conduct the coal exploration work. The planned exploration work will not jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species listed in the area or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat for these species. Colowyo has worked closely with the Colorado Division of Wildlife concerning impacts of mining and exploration on wildlife. A description of the wildlife resources found in the permit area and adjacent areas is found under 2.04.11. 2.02.3 General Requirements: Exploration Involving Removal of More Than 250 Tons of Coal Colowyo does not plan any coal exploration in which more than 250 tons of coal will be removed. Specifically, Colowyo's coal exploration plans call for removal of less than 250 tons of coal. 2.02.6 General Coal Exploration Compliance Duties Exploration activities conducted pursuant to this Section may disturb the natural land surface as that phrase is defined in Section 1.04 by the phrase "substantially - disturb". Accordingly, Colowyo will conduct all exploration activities in compliance with Section 4.21, as indicated in the discussion under Section 4.21 of this application. Colowyo will comply with the reporting requirements of this Section. Rule 2 Permits 2.02-2 Revision Date: 6/23/08 Revision No.: MR-91