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. 3482.1(a)(3)(iv) - Narrative Description of Coal Exploration Methods <br />Pre - drilling Activities <br />Prior to any construction or drilling activities, an on -site inspection of proposed drill sites and <br />access routes will be conducted with representatives from appropriate regulatory agencies to <br />discuss site - specific concerns. Proper Road Use and Special Use permits will be obtained prior to <br />use of USFS roads. <br />State, USFS, and BLM regulatory personnel will be notified at least 48 hours before any <br />construction or drilling equipment is mobilized into the project areas. An authorized <br />representative of the applicant will supervise all construction and drilling activities. A copy of the <br />exploration permit and all pertinent permit documents will be available from the company <br />representative for inspection. Any proposed changes in the Exploration Plan after permit <br />approval will be reviewed with the appropriate regulatory agencies before changes take effect. <br />Camp sites and /or staging areas to be used by the drilling contractor will be reviewed with and <br />approved by the USFS District Ranger or authorized representative prior to use. These sites will <br />be used in a manner to minimize damage to the vegetation. Any surface disturbance to these sites <br />will be re- graded and seeded to promote rehabilitation. <br />Road Construction <br />Existing roads and trails will be used whenever possible, and movement of equipment across <br />• undisturbed land will be kept to a minimum. New or additional roads will be constructed only <br />when necessary and only as the drilling program progresses. A maximum of 14 ft. road width <br />will be employed during this project except in locations such as curves, where more width would <br />be needed for the drill rig to negotiate a turn. <br />The drill sites have been located such that the slope of the access roads is nearly flat lying and <br />subject to vary only a few percent. All topsoil removed during pad construction will be <br />stockpiled and redistributed when the pads are reclaimed. Erosion control structures, such as <br />water bars, will be installed as required and will be done in accordance with applicable <br />regulations and stipulations. Waterbars will be left in -place to assist in future erosion control. If <br />utilized, culverts will be removed at the completion of the project or as accepted by the USFS <br />Road Engineer. <br />Drill Site Construction <br />Drill sites will be approximately 100' x 200' in size. Smaller dimensions will be utilized <br />whenever possible. Drill site sizes and layout will be reviewed with the USFS representative <br />prior to construction. <br />Brush and /or small trees will be cleaned from the drill pads using a D -6 size bulldozer. Topsoil <br />will be removed and stockpiled on the upslope side of the drill pad and remain undisturbed <br />during drilling at the site. The topsoil pile will not be seeded due to the short duration of storage. <br />Approximately one foot of soil thickness will be salvaged and stockpiled at the disturbance site <br />• with a "TOPSOIL" sign clearly marking the pile. Leveling of the drill sites (cut and fill) by <br />grading the subsoil and/or weathered rock is not anticipated. <br />