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(e_c M Ee t. L O uv oJ ( G O V E R 1-Elf <br />2.2.2 Overview of Drill Sites <br />The drill sites are located along the crest of the geological structure named the Dolores <br />Anticline, a broad northwest - southeast trending fold. The geological formations exposed <br />at the surface in the vicinity of these areas range in age from the Cretaceous -age Mancos <br />Shale (primarily outcropping above the rim of the Dolores Canyon) down to, and <br />including, the upper part of the Permian -age Cutler Formation (primarily exposed at the <br />base of the Dolores Canyon). The Paradox Formation (previously Paradox member of <br />the Hermosa Formation) has been subdivided into evaporative salt cycles by Hite (1960) <br />that were numbered 1 through 29 from the top down. Potash occurrences were noted by <br />Hite in 18 of the 29 salt cycles. The intended exploration target is potash beds in Salt <br />Cycles #5, #6, and possibly #9 in the upper 500 feet of the middle evaporate member of <br />the Paradox Formation. The upper part of this formation is composed of a series of <br />interbedded layers of salt (halite and potash), siltstone, anhydrite, dolomite, and black <br />shale. Several of the salt layers within the Paradox Formation contain layers of <br />potassium minerals (potash) including the minerals sylvite (KC1) and carnalite (KMgCL3 <br />6H20). <br />Six possible drill sites are being proposed (Figure 2; Appendix B); from these sites one <br />to three sites would initially be selected. The final selection of sites to be drilled would <br />depend partly on environmental considerations and prospective geologic data. Each <br />drilling site would be on a pad approximately 250 by 250 feet in size (1.4 acres). <br />Drill Site 1 is located adjacent to Highway 141 about 1,500 feet south of an old <br />petroleum well drilled in 1955 (Reynolds Mining #1 Egnar, API #05 - 113 - 05004). No <br />road construction would be needed to reach it. This old bore hole appears to have <br />intersected about 6.7 meters (22 feet) of potash, according to geophysical logs. The drill <br />site is located on prospecting permit application COC- 73567. The site access is on an <br />existing road just west of Highway 141. <br />Drill Site 2 is located along existing dirt road extending from County Road K8. The drill <br />site is located on prospecting permit application COC -73569 and was positioned to <br />intersect a region of flat dipping stratigraphy. The drill site is accessible by <br />approximately 1.5 miles of existing dirt roads, but substantial improvements to a segment <br />of the existing dirt road may be necessary. The proposed drill hole would be located <br />adjacent to the road and would not block existing access. <br />Drill Site 3 is located about 1,000 feet north of County Road L9 along an existing <br />unimproved dirt road. The drill site is located on prospecting permit application COC- <br />73572 and was positioned to intersect a region of flat dipping stratigraphy. The proposed <br />drill hole would be located adjacent to the road and would not block the existing <br />thoroughfare. Site access would not require new road construction or improvements. <br />Drill Site 4 is located along an existing 4 -wheel drive (4WD) road, utilizing County <br />Roads K8 and L9 roads, on prospecting permit application COC- 73574. The proposed <br />drill site was positioned to intersect a region of flat dipping stratigraphy and is located <br />RM Potash Exploration Project 17 <br />Environmental Assessment <br />