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hand calculation estimate as part of the NOI review Sage Creek may choose to file a corporate surety <br />for the least cost estimate. <br />The tullowing sections describe the specific proposed reclamation practices to be used to return areas <br />disturbed by the exploration activities to a stable condition and productive use. <br />Drill I1ole Or Well I'11.11"'in" - Scaling and Abandonment: All drillholes \\ill he plugged, scaled, and <br />abandoned unless they are converted into it ground\\ater monitor \vell. Deeper drillholes \\ill he <br />plugged \vith it minimum of 6 cubic yards (about 750 feet) of cement slurry - this is the off-road <br />transport capacity of a cement truck. Shallo\\er drillholes \\ill he plugged \\ith bet\\cen 3 and 5 <br />cubic yards of' cement slurr\ (as appropriate). Fhe cement slum' \k ill be trenlied into the drillhole <br />front the bottom of the hole. up till-01.11-111 the target units. This \\ ill ctTectively plug and seal all coal <br />beds and potential groundv\ater a\luilers to prevent vertical ground\vater migration and cross- <br />contamination ofaquiters. <br />An\ remaining open drillhole interval will he filled \\ith other suitable plugging material (plug gel or <br />vender-specific grout compounds) and/or drill cuttings to within 5 feet ofthe ground surface and the <br />drillhole will be sealed with a surfiacc plug consisting of at least 5 feet of' cement. Information on <br />potential plugging materials. that are generally superior to conventional cement grout. is pro\ided in <br />Appendix F. Surface casing, if used to keep the drillhole open, will he cut-off at or bclo\\ grade. <br />6eotechnical holes will be tilled in \\ith cuttings to within 5 feet of the ground surface. The <br />remaining 5 feet \\ill he sealed using bentonite chips. Rcclained drillhole locations will be marked <br />\\ith either a steel fence post or a metal sureey cap at or bclo\\ ground level (used \\here agricultural <br />cropping occurs). r\It drillhole locations will be accurately surveyed. and distinctl\ numbered, <br />allowing ter future identification. Abandonment reports will be prepared and tiled, as required by <br />applicable regulations. When no longer needed. as noted abo\e. the groundwater monitor wells will <br />he plugged. sealed, and abandoned in essentiall\ the same manner. with the stipulation that cement <br />slurry \\ill be used for plugging the entire \\ell interval. <br />Exploration Site Reclamation: Following completion of exploration activities (drilling, sampling. <br />and geophysical logging) fur each exploration site. any drillholes not converted to monitoring wells <br />will he plugged, sealed and abandoned, as previousl\ described, and exploration disturbance \\111 be <br />reclaimed. In accordance with Rules 2.02.2(2)(f) and 4.2 1.4(4), excavations. artificial flat areas, and <br />embankments created durim, exploration will be returned to their original contour promptly after such <br />features are no longer needed fur coal exploration. Site reclamation will ti?llo\v completion of <br />exploration activities fur each site as soon as reasonably practical. recognizing ho\\e\'cr. that certain <br />reclamation activities nla\\ he coordlnaled to take advantage of equipment and personnel a\ailabilit\. <br />Seeding of' reclaimed exploration sites \\111 occur during the first favorable seeding period (typically <br />late fall [prelerred]. or early spring) tullo\\ing completion of site reclamation. The following <br />summarizes the steps and general sequence fur reclamation ofexploration disturbance areas: <br />I ) On completion of exploration activities at it given site, all trash, debris, and exploration <br />equipment and supplies \N ill be removed front the site. <br />Drilling fluids in mud pits will he allowed to dr\. or tile' nla\ be pumped from the mud pit fur <br />ofT-site disposal. Mud pits or excavated trenches \\ill he backiilled with the excmated <br />material and compacted to minimize an\ settling. Am excess drill cuttings \\ill he spread <br />o\er the drill pad. and the drill pads regraded to approximate their original configuration and <br />blend with the adjacent terrain. <br />',lockpilcd of windr? wed ';1 and '-ti-- lloriiun material \\ill he rcdi,tr blacd at a unif??rnl <br />thicknc. O\cr di,turhed area,. <br />w o+ nv 14