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5. Describe Exploration Activities; Rule 2.02.2(2)(g): <br />5a. Attach a narrative description of methods and equipment to be used to conduct coal <br />exploration activities. Include drilling operations, surface blasting, road or access route <br />construction, excavated earth and debris disposal activities. Also describe measures to be <br />taken to protect the environment: topsoil salvage, diversion of overland flow, settling <br />ponds, etc. <br />Exploration activities will primarily consist of drilling and associated drill site construction. No <br />road construction is planned due to the extensive existing road network used in gas exploration <br />and production. The equipment to be used includes two truck mounted rotary drills, one truck to <br />haul pipe, two water trucks, one backhoe, one bull dozer, a road maintainer, and a logging truck. <br />4 wheel drive pickups will be used on a daily basis to access the sites. <br />Construction activities will be minimized. The amount of surface disturbance necessary will <br />depend on the drill site. The irregular terrain precludes making an accurate estimate of the <br />amount disturbance. A maximum of 10,000 sf per site or 100 ft by 100 ft is planned. The <br />amount of disturbance at each drill site will be kept to a minimum. A pit for the collection of drill <br />cuttings and fluids will be excavated with a backhoe at each location. The pit will be <br />approximately 15 ft by 30 ft by 15 ft deep. The pit will be pumped on a regular basis and all <br />fluids transported to a disposal site at the New Elk Mine. The pit will be backfilled upon <br />completion of the drilling activity. Present plans call for one pit per drill site. <br />Drill hole depth and estimated acreage of disturbance for site construction is included in Table 1. <br />Drilling activities will include rotary and core drilling. Hole diameter will be up to 6-1/2 inches <br />and a 3-1/2 inch diameter core when coring. Monitoring wells require a 9-7/8 inch diameter hole. <br />Drilling fluids include air and water with a mist foaming agent and drilling mud if necessary. All <br />chemicals used will be biodegradable so as not to adversely impact the surrounding area or any <br />groundwater which may be encountered. <br />Topsoil will be salvaged from the drill sites prior to their construction. Salvaging will include <br />removing the top 12 inches of soil or the amount available and stockpiling this material in the <br />general vicinity of its removal in an area where it will not be removed from the frill site area. <br />Stockpiles of topsoil will be compacted to prevent erosion by wind and other elements until used <br />for reclamation. <br />NECC 2011 NOI Attachment 2n12011 2