2012-04-02_PERMIT FILE - X201222311 (2)

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will be obliterated by grading to approximate original contour and distributing the rock, brush, soils, etc. pushed along the sides of the road back across the road corridor. Proper revegetation has been shown to be very successful using these common techniques. All new road construction will be cleared for cultural resources, T & E and sensitive species. Vehicular travel on other than established graded and surfaced roads shall be limited to that absolutely necessary to conduct the exploration. As noted below and shown on the attached map, all roads and borehole sites are located on lands managed by the BLM or private fee surface owners. Approval will be received from each surface owner before road construction or exploration drilling is conducted. Travel will be confined to graded and surfaced roads during periods when excessive damage to vegetation or rutting of the land surface could result. The proposed activities will not require upland diversions, or diversions of ephemeral, intermittent or perennial streams. a. Attach a narrative description of methods and equipment to be used to conduct coal exploration activities. Include drilling operations, surface blasting, road or access route construction, excavated earth and debris disposal activities. Also describe measures to be taken to protect the environment: topsoil salvage, diversion of overland flow, settling ponds, etc. b. Specifically address: 1) Location and acreage of areas where topsoil will be salvaged and stored; 2) How much earth moving will be needed for new roads or drill sites, if any; 3) What seed mix (type and amount) will be used for revegetation; 4) Depth of drill holes; 5) Whether aquifers will be encountered (include supporting references); 6) Precise description of how drill holes will be sealed and plugged in accordance with Rule 4.07; and 7) Whether holes will be developed as water wells and, if so, the well permit issued by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Drill Site Construction — Most drilling can be conducted with minimal site preparation, since the drill rig can be set -up and leveled using self - contained hydraulic jacks. Where site preparation is necessary due to the need to utilize drilling fluids, a pad having maximum dimensions of approximately 120 feet in width and 180 feet in length will be established. Pad preparation will involve the use of a tracked dozer or backhoe to establish a level drill site. If topsoil exists, up to 12" will be salvaged and stored in a stockpile(s) located along the side of the pad and marked with a "topsoil" sign. Soil stripping will not occur in areas that have been previously disturbed and little or no soil material remains, typically in areas of 30% or greater slopes. The pad sites will be restored to approximate original contour. Shrubs, trees and other organic matter removed during pad preparation may be incorporated onto the regraded surface prior to seeding to enhance reclamation of this disturbed site. Each mud pit will typically be sized approximately 20 feet in length, 8 feet in width and 8 feet deep (47.4 cubic yards each). The pits will generally be located in the "cut" portion of the pad for pad stability. The disturbance area for each drill site is expected to be less than the maximum area of 0.5 acres. No surface blasting is anticipated. *Drillhole coordinates are in NAD83 format