2009-05-12_PERMIT FILE - C1980005

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5} Describe exploration Aetlvitles ??-LL? Pra?osed Exploration Activities; The primary methods of exploration and geologic and chemical data collection proposed in this application include exploration drilling, geophysical logging, and sampling, followed by recIamatian ofall exploration disturbances, as rr?ore specifically described in the following sectionsF The 2009 exploration pragrarn involves 15 exploration drillholes to further delineate and characterize geologic conditions, coal seam occurrence and quality, and overburden physical and chemical characteristics. The drillhales are designated as ceua34 through ccu04S, with an additional numeric descriptor to be added to designate the year in which each drillhale is completed {e.g., 2009ccu04U}. This identification sequence is a continuation from the 200 and 2005 exploration work permitted by ?olarada foal ?esaurc?;s, LLB {an affiliated company} for the Sage creek project area. Mach of the proposed ???? drill?sites are shown on IV?ap 1, and listed in Table 1, Depending on drilling conditions, core recovery, and data requirements, the potential exists that it may be necessary to off set from an initial drillhale location ono more than 2D feet and within the sarnc drill pad disturbance area} and "twin" the original drillhale far the purpose of further sampling ar gealogiclhydralogiciesting, awever, "twinning" of any hole gill not occur prior to necessary approvals by DRIVIS, and if necessary, BLS. Sage creek plans to initiate exploration activities immediately upon receipt of required approvals, and continue as weather and ground conditions allow. Sage creek also needs to evaluate surficial geology and slope stability for possible facilities ,? ? placement and portal excavation within a defined block area ofappraximately 2D acres {shown on ??-?. IVIap I A}, Selected portions of this block area will be evaluated through shallow drilling. liven that drillhale placement and sampling will be defined by the results of both initial and ongoing site work, Sage creek is proposing phased geotechnical investigations within the defined block axes. ?a more than 30 hales will be drilled within the defined black area. The holes will range in depth from 54?I50 feet ?avg, 7??}. Tl?e shallow geatechnica! holes shall continue the same numbering system but add a "geo" code at the end to designate the hole as drilled for geotechnical investigation {2049ccu049gea?. gage creek holdings anticipates drilling ccu03S and ccu043 during the winter months. l?xplaration sites ccu034, 0, ???, X37, X39 and 040 can be drilled at any time ofthe year {including the May I ?- July 1 grouse breeding and nesting season}. Exploration activities at the remaining seven sites will occur a#?er July 1, and in the case ofccu041, 042, 045 and 04? after September 1?. C?eotechnical work gill be completed outside the nesting season {July l ?? to October 3 l ??}, away from lek and nesting sites {refer to wildlife Niap 3}, and in areas that are not identified as grouse habitat adjacent to ?fJ?3 G -? a site with no timing restrictions. It is anticipated that drilling activities vril? be completed by the end of2009, although weather or other unanticipated delays may result ire extension of the activities through fall of 2010. Sage creek plans to schedule drilling operations on a l2-hour per day basis {approximately ?,OOarn to 7:OOpm}; however, Saga creek requests permission to conduct operations on a 24-hour per day basis if unforeseen delays cause the project to fall behind schedule. In the event of winter drilling activities, Saga creek gill coordinate with the l??w to keep specific gates lacked to preclude public access, and to avoid areas ofcritical winter range. Saga creek will also coordinate with the 1V? to minimize potential impacts during the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse hunting season {eptember 1 to September 21 }, 5r,?? C i eek !'rdject ? ? ?O(]9 NDf O?ro?09