2013-04-03_PERMIT FILE - X201322801 (2)

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existing flat areas for drill pads, only minimal surface disturbance will be necessary to level uneven portions of the site and to construct a mudpit. Salvaged soils will be placed upslope of the drill pad with appropriate sediment control devices surrounding the down slope portion of the soil stockpile. A similar sediment control device will be placed on the downslope side of the subsoil /rock stockpiles from the slurry (mud) pits. Overland flow of the drill fluids will be directed into the slurry pit as will most precipitation runoff. The drill pads will typically be reclaimed as soon as possible after drilling. Where roadwork is required to widen or level the roadway, the amount of material disturbed can be significantly reduced in volume by limiting the soil material removed to only a few inches in depth. This method leaves some topsoil in place while creating an adequate reserve for redistribution, v ithout significantly disturbing the major root systems of the existing grasses and shrubs. In these areas, care will be taken to minimize traveling the roads when wet, causing excessive rutting. Methods and Equipment for Drilling Rotary drilling and coring on each site will be completed using a rubber -tired truck - mounted drilling rig. To aid in the protection of the hydrologic balance and protect other resources the company will utilize as small a drill rig as can safely and successfully complete the job. In doing so, the requirements for access road and drill site disturbances are lessened. Support equipment may consist of one or two water trucks, one rig -up truck, a pipe truck, flatbed trailer, one or more air compressors, and /or boosters, a supply trailer and three 4 x 4 pickups for the drill crews and company representatives. This assembly is generally referred to as a "drilling unit ". One drilling unit is anticipated during the drilling project. Water for drilling operations will either be pumped or trucked to the sites or obtained from one or more of the stock watering ponds located nearby. Pumping the water used in the drilling process, if possible, will minimize water truck traffic on the temporary access roads thereby minimizing surface disturbance. The use of these water sources will be approved by the agency or party owning the water rights prior to their use. In the event stock ponds are utilized, minimum water levels will be established to ensure sufficient water is left for stock and wildlife. Redevelopment of stock watering ponds within proximity to the exploration sites will provide short -term storage for drilling operations and long term use for wildlife and livestock. Removal of drill cuttings in typical drilling conditions allows the use of air -foam and water as the circulation medium. Water consumption is estimated at 5500 — 8500 gallons per hole (0.017- 0.026 acre feet). Upon hole completion, one truck mounted geophysical logging unit will be used at each hole location. If requested, Ark Land Company will retain in its files all drill and geophysical logs and all un- analyzed drill cores for at least 1 year, and will make them available for inspection by an authorized officer. Estimated Size and Depth of Holes Drilling conditions are variable in the exploration area. The initial diameter of each drill hole will be 12.0" to allow for the placement of approximately 100 feet of 9 5/8" surface casing to the top of competent bedrock. This casing is centered and cemented in -place from the top of the hole. An 8 3/4 " hole will be rotary drilled to core point (50 ft. above the uppermost mineable seam). This rotary hole may or may not be cased and cemented with 7" steel casing dependent 9