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Section - 2.05.3 <br />133. This road is approximately 120 feet long, 10 feet wide, and includes a culvert <br />crossing of the road ditch along the old State Highway. OMI obtained a highway <br />access permit from the Colorado Department of Highways for this connecting road <br />and the associated construction. <br />D. Powerline and Exploration Roads — There are a number of existing powerline and <br />exploration roads within the mine permit area which were established to provide <br />access for powerline construction and exploration drilling prior to 1976. Most of <br />these roads were either never reclaimed or have been retained for powerline <br />inspection and maintenance by Delta- Montrose Electric Association, as the local <br />electric utility and all are classified as light -use roads. <br />The only existing powerline road currently utilized for mining- related purposes is the <br />light -use road along the power transmission line that extends from Elk Creek to <br />Hubbard Creek. This road, which was constructed in conjunction with installation <br />of the powerline prior to 1976, is approximately 6.3 miles long. The road has been <br />used for access to exploration drillsites and is now used occasionally (primarily by <br />ATV) for inspection and monitoring of upland areas, in addition to powerline <br />inspection and maintenance. Because it traverses some extremely rugged terrain, <br />much of the road exceeds 10 percent grade and portions have pitch grades of over <br />20 percent. This road is currently stable, no modifications to the road are planned, <br />and maintenance will be limited to repair of any significant erosion or slides and <br />minor grading as necessary to maintain access. This road includes a stream ford <br />crossing of Bear Creek, located above the point that the Somerset Mine previously <br />discharged water to Bear Creek. <br />Three new segments of light -use road totaling approximately 3,100 feet have been <br />constructed from existing powerline access and drill roads to access new power pole <br />locations for relocation of existing powerlines. These new road segments were <br />reseeded on completion of powerline relocation to control erosion but will remain <br />for long -term powerline access. <br />E. Degasification Well Roads - Existing public, private, powerline and /or exploration <br />roads may be used to access degasification well sites. Minor road improvements <br />such as grading and widening (to a typical maximum width of 20 -feet) in certain <br />areas have been and will be completed as necessary to provide for drill equipment <br />access dependent on existing road conditions. In addition, some well sites may be <br />beyond the limits of existing roads, requiring construction of light use road <br />extensions up to variable length. Five new light -use road segments were constructed <br />in upper Coal Gulch to improve access to degasification wells CBMA through <br />CBM -15. A number of light -use road segments are to be constructed in the Bear, <br />Hubbard Creek and Elk Creek drainages to access Gob Vent Boreholes. Exhibit <br />2.04 -E3, Item 9 — Methane Drainage Well Information provides specific details of the <br />light use roads located in these drainages. Any road improvements will be limited <br />and are (or will be) consistent with the light -use designation for these roads. These <br />roads were (or will be) utilized for initial site development and will continue to be <br />utilized for ongoing site inspections and maintenance so long as the degasification <br />installations are in active use. Map 2.05 -M1, Sheet 6 of 6 provides further <br />information as to the location of these roads. <br />F. Elk Creek Light -Use Road — The Elk Creek light -use road will be developed by <br />upgrading the existing light -use exploration road running to the southwest on the <br />west side of Elk Creek. The existing road is partially cut -off by the existing natural <br />landslide in this area. The road will initially be reestablished and extended and used <br />in conjunction with slope stabilization activities for movement of surficial slide <br />TR -64 2.05 -31a Revised Dec. 2009 <br />