2009-04-06_REVISION - C1982056 (20)

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APPLICANT'S NARRATIVE Construction of 18 Left Intake and Return Shafts: As mine development proceeds to the west in the Western Mining District (WMD), the distance from existing mine ventilation shaft and fan installations will increase to the point where additional intake and exhaust ventilation shafts are necessary to maintain effective ventilation of active mining areas. In order to minimize surface disturbance and simplify operation, the new intake and exhaust shafts will be established at the same location. The proposed new ventilation shafts will be located in close proximity to Routt County Road 27 in the NW'/4SW'/< Section 23, T5N, R87W on a shallow slope near the crest of a,small ridge in an area of open pastureland, as shown on Map 23. Development, construction, and installation of the ventilation shafts and associated fan and ancillary facilities will involve the following sequential activities, as briefly described in the following sections-and shown on-the design drawings provided in Exhibit 49R: • Completion of environmental and engineering investigations • Placement of disturbed area markers • Temporary drainage and sediment control measures • Recovery and stockpiling of available'soil materials • Installation of drainage and sediment control structures (includes sedimentation pond) • Construction of a light-use road and site preparation for shaft pad • Construction of the shaft pad and lined cuttings pit • Drilling and casing of an exploration borehole to verify geologic and groundwater conditions • Substation construction and installation of electrical distribution line and equipment • Grouting operations (as necessary) and drilling of shaft pilot holes • Excavation and construction of shaft collar structures • Blind-drilling and casing of two shafts • Installation of mine ventilation fan, fan shroud, silencer, equipment building, and associated equipment and controls on ventilation exhaust shaft • Installation of shaft heater and associated ancillary equipment on ventilation intake shaft • Erection of escape hoist building and installation of equipment and controls on - ventilation intake shaft • Construction of security fence around shafts • Extension of entries from the 18-Left longwall panel to connect to the shaft bottom • Conversion of the exploration borehole to a Mine Atmosphere Control borehole, and installation of modular methane drainage and/or nitrogen injection systems • Final clean-up and dressing of roads and site pad Site-specific investigations required for design and permitting of the new ventilation shaft will, or have included a cultural resource survey of potential disturbance areas, soil and foundation characterization_ as the basis for shaft pad and access road design, vegetation community mapping, and verification of TES compliance. The cultural resource, survey was conducted by Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, the engineering soils characterization by Northwest Colorado Consultants, and the soils/vegetation investigations by Habitat Management. The perimeter of all areas affected by surface facilities construction will be clearly marked before the beginning of surface disturbances. The proposed shaft pad and cuttings pit will