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not occur at all if the results of exploration are not favorable. Any leasing and development would be <br />fully analyzed under a separate NEPA document at a later date if and when exploration has been <br />completed in a way that shows the existence of a "valuable" potash deposit. <br />Proposed Action <br />In order to determine whether potash deposits are of a grade, thickness, orientation and continuity that <br />could eventually be commercially developed, RM Potash has proposed a two -phased exploration <br />program. The initial phase (Phase 1, Proof of Concept) would include drilling up to a maximum of six <br />drill holes. Each drill pad would be approximately 1 acre and would require a drill pit and sumps. A <br />large drill rig, water trucks, and other support vehicles would be used. Drill holes would be <br />approximately 6,000 feet deep. Emphasis of this program would be the recovery of sufficient core <br />samples to facilitate potassium analyses and accurate determinations of thickness of the potash beds. <br />Proposed drill sites have generally been sited adjacent to existing access roads, with minor surface <br />preparation needed. Including proposed access, the potential total Phase 1 maximum disturbance is <br />expected to be less than 5.3 acres, if all six sites were actually drilled (1.4 acres for drill pads and 3.9 <br />acres from improvements to existing access roads and/or short, new spur roads). This EA is being <br />prepared to analyze the disturbance from these Phase 1 drill holes in particular, as well as the generalized <br />disturbance from subsequent drill holes whose locations have yet to be determined (Phase 2). If a Finding <br />of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) is signed, then prospecting permits would be approved for those <br />permit applications covered by the Phase 1 exploration plan. <br />If the initial exploration drilling exploration results indicate that the deposit is not commercially viable, <br />RM Potash would discontinue drilling efforts and reclaim any and all associated disturbance. If results <br />are favorable, the project would proceed to Phase 2, which would include additional exploration drill <br />holes to adequately delineate the deposit. Because subsequent drill hole locations depend, in part, on the <br />information gleaned from the previously drilled holes, future drill sites cannot be delineated at this time. <br />Ultimately, a total of between 10 and 20 holes may need to be drilled. Whenever possible previously <br />disturbed areas such as roads and drill pads would be utilized. Geophysical studies, including seismic, <br />may be proposed at a later date to help correlate between core holes. Supplemental NEPA analysis would <br />be prepared on the site - specific disturbance proposals, and supplemental exploration plans would be <br />approved along with the affected prospecting permit applications. <br />All disturbances would be adequately bonded to complete reclamation. Reclamation would proceed as <br />soon as the drill pads are no longer needed. When possible, drill sites would be proposed for areas that <br />have already been disturbed. If prospecting and exploration indicates a valuable deposit, RM Potash <br />could then apply for preference right leases. At that time, RM Potash would also have to submit a mine <br />and reclamation plan. The BLM would use this plan to evaluate the impacts of development, but <br />currently, only the proposed exploration and prospecting is being considered. <br />Decision to Be Made <br />The BLM will decide whether or not the proposed action would have significant impacts on the natural <br />environment. If a FONSI is signed the initial decision would be approval of the initial drill sites (up to <br />six) and the associated prospecting permit applications, which would establish standard conditions of <br />approval and stipulations that would apply to any subsequent drill holes. Areas within the permit <br />application areas that would be off - limits to future potash exploration drilling or other disturbance due to <br />resource concerns would also be identified in the initial EA, along with standard stipulations and best <br />management practices that could be applied to any future proposed exploration activities. If it is found <br />that there will likely be significant impacts, then an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) could be <br />required before the project is authorized. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />