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13. Soil standards for drilling mud pit closures <br />Mud pits associated with coal exploration drilling and coring are minimal and do not <br />approach the sizes commonly associated with coal bed methane well drilling and <br />production. The Division does not believe this issue is significant. <br />14. Trash dumping in pits and wildlife hazards of pits. <br />Again, given the very short duration of any individual pit, the Division does not believe this <br />is a significant issue. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has reviewed numerous coal <br />exploration drilling plans throughout the State in sensitive areas that include species such <br />as sage grouse, sharptail grouse, deer, elk, and other species and has not raised this concern. <br />i 1. 1?loise generated by the coal explorUUVIi aCtivii "S <br />The Division does not regulate noise other than that associated with surface blasting from <br />coal mining operations. The Division believes that the short duration of the coal <br />exploration activities in an area with existing coal bed methane production activities will <br />not create a significant noise problem. <br />16. Material Safety Data Sheets for any chemicals stored or used <br />The Division will request that NECC provide this information as part of the NOI <br />application. <br />Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention. Exploring and coring - as well as potential <br />future mining - in a coal seam from which coal bed methane may be or is being produced is <br />somewhat unique. We therefore look forward to continued discussions not only with Pioneer but <br />with other operators as well as the COGCC regarding these activities. <br />We are also very interested in reviewing the forthcoming gas survey. Please let us know when that <br />is available to review. <br />If you have questions, please call me. <br />Sincerely, <br />Kent A. Gorham <br />Environmental Protection Specialist III <br />Cc: Ron Thompson, NECC <br />Daniel I. Hernandez, DRMS <br />David A. Berry, DRMS <br />Loretta E. Pineda, DRMS <br />David Neslin, COGCC