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(c) Not applicable. (14) Geochemical Data and Analysis NSI does not use any designated chemicals or cause acid mine drainage, NSI is not a uranium mining operation. NSI solution mines in situ, nahcolite (naturally occurring sodium bicarbonate which is commonly called baking soda). NSI's operation mines nahcolite by heating water (process fluid) and pumping the hot water approximately 2,000 to 3,000 feet underground where the hot water dissolves the nahcolite. The hot water which is now saturated with dissolved nahcolite is pumped to the surface and back to the plant where the sodium bicarbonate is precipitated out of solution (recrystallized) through a cooling process. NSI's in situ, solution mining operation does not disturb any overburden materials. NSI's aqueous process fluid was analyzed for chemical constituents and parameters. The analytical results of NSI's process fluid analysis are attached as Appendix C. NSI's finished product is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for sodium bicarbonate is attached as Appendix D. (15) Construction Schedule Information The plant was constructed in 1991, under the purview of regulatory agencies, and has been in operation ever since. The plant was professionally designed, engineered and constructed with respect to all applicable rules, regulations and permits. Future plant expansion activities were addressed in Section 7 of the previously submitted and approved Mine Plan (July, 2010) (16) Describe the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) program and measures to be employed during construction of those Environmental Protection Facilities that typically warrant Quality Assurance and Quality Control NSI does not use any designated chemicals or cause acid mine drainage, NSI is not a uranium mining operation. NSI solution mines in situ, nahcolite (naturally occurring sodium bicarbonate). In 2010 the DRMS determined that NSI's sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), in situ, solution mining operation should be reclassified as a Designated Mining Operation (DMO). For more than 20 years NSI's sodium bicarbonate, solution mining operation was not considered to be a DMO by the DRMS and as such the plant facilities, while properly designed, engineered and constructed, were not anticipated, expected or required to conform to the more onerous, phased approach of construction certification or the QA /QC program of an Environmental Protection Facility. (17) Plant Growth Medium (Soils) Section 3.8 of NSI's Mine Plan describes the soils found on the lease and project areas. Soil survey procedures, sampling methodology and analytical results of soil types are discussed. Reclamation characteristics and available topsoil quantities are also presented. Soil survey maps are included in Section 3 -8 of the Mine Plan. Plate 1 in Section 3 is a soil survey map of NSI's lease area, Figure 3 -4 in Section 3 is a soil survey map of the project area. NSI has made a proactive commitment to the timely reclamation of all qualifying disturbed acreage and maintains an ongoing relationship with the land owner (BLM) to ensure that all applicable and appropriate soil management goals are being met in a timely manner; additionally, NSI contracts with a botanist to conduct evaluations annually (or more frequently) of plant and soil reclamation efforts and provide recommendations. (18) Wildlife Protection NSI does not use any designated chemicals or cause acid mine drainage, NSI is not a uranium mining operation. NSI solution mines in situ, nahcolite (naturally occurring sodium bicarbonate which is commonly called baking soda). NSI's operation mines nahcolite by heating water (process fluid) and Daub & Associates, Inc. NSI 2012 EPP Page 13