2008-09-22_PERMIT FILE - C1996083A (3)

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2.05.3 TR-53 A PPRovE~ ~/i2~a S During 2006 the operator drilled five gob vent holes. During 2007 the operator drilled six gob vent holes and one geotech hole along Hubbard Creek. The geotech hole was drilled from a drill site west of Hubbard Creek Road. A short section of access road was constructed from Hubbard Creek Road to the drill site. A portion of the access road to the drill site is within 100 feet of Hubbard Creek, a perennial stream. Rule 4.05.18 requires the DRMS make a finding that authorizes any proposed disturbance within 100 feet of a perennial stream. By letter dated March 2, 2007, to Bowie Resources, LLC, the DRMS made such a finding. The DRMS found the disturbance will not cause or contribute to the violation of applicable water quality standards and that the water quantity and quality, as well as other environmental resources of the stream will not be adversely affected. The Operator placed stream buffer zone signs east of the disturbed area that clearly show the area that will not be disturbed. The signs were placed on the east side of the Hubbard Creek Road. During 2007 and 2008 the Operator will drill a ventilation shaft along Hubbard Creek from a drill site west of Hubbard Creek. A portion of the drill site is within 100 feet of Hubbard Creek, a perennial stream. Rule 4.05.18 requires the DRMS make a finding that authorizes any proposed disturbance within 100 feet of a perennial stream. The DRMS made a finding based on the small disturbance involved, that sediment control measures will be utilized, that water encountered during shaft construction will be contained, treated through settling, sampled and discharged through the NPDES permit for outfall 009, that any drilling fluids will be contained in a cuttings pit or tank, that the drilling mud will have a bentonite clay base and will be disposed of in the Bowie No. 2 waste disposal site, that no riparian vegetation is in the area of planned disturbance and that the operations will be conducted in accordance with the conditions of surface use as stated in the Decision Memo by the USDA-Forest Service for this project. During April and May 2008 a monitoring well was drilled near the mouth of Dove Gulch. The well was drilled on the Hubbard Creek road so no drill pad is required. Drilling "mud" will be circulated through a stock tank so no mud pit will be required. The purpose of the monitoring well is to determine the nature, quality and extent of water in the old D-Seam workings so they can be dewatered. During late 2008 eleven geotech holes will be drilled west of the facilities area in a location identified as a potential coal mine waste bank. During 2008 a monitoring well was drilled to monitor the water in the D-Seam. The monitoring well was drilled on the Hubbard Creek road near the mouth of Dove Gulch so a drill pad was not required. The monitoring well confirmed the necessity of drilling a well to dewater the D-Seam prior to undermining by the B-Seam. During late 2008 a dewatering well will be installed in the D-Seam near the Mouth of Dove Gulch. Water from the well will be piped to the active B-Seam workings through the nearby ventilation shaft. A pump powered by a diesel generator will be installed in the well. A six inch diameter water line will be installed from the dewatering well to and into the shaft. The 1,000 foot long water line will buried along the inside edge of Hubbard Creek road. The dewatering well will not be put into service until additional approvals are obtained from the DRMS. 2.05 - 35i - 09/08