Laserfiche WebLink
BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA <br />Overland flow of the drill fluids will be directed into the slurry pit as will most precipitation runoff. <br />Upon drill hole completion, one truck mounted geophysical logging unit will be used at each hole <br />location. <br />Modification of Drill Holes to Surveillance for Water Levels <br />Exploration hole SST -2 may be converted to an E -Seam water monitoring site if a mineable <br />thickness of E -Seam coal is present. Construction of the water monitoring well will be delayed <br />until a determination on mineability of the coal is made. The necessary well permit will then be <br />obtained from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS) for the well <br />installation. <br />It is not anticipated that significant water - bearing bedrock or aquifers will be encountered. The <br />Mesa Verde Formation is known to contain limited water bearing sandstones, and no known <br />bedrock aquifers exist. If significant quantities of water are encountered, the appropriate regulatory <br />officials will be notified and if directed, the hole may be completed as an additional water <br />monitoring well. <br />2.2.7 Drill Hole Abandonment Methods <br />The hole plugging method described in 43 CFR 3484.1(a), states that each open hole will be <br />plugged with cement from bottom to 50 feet above the uppermost thick coal seam and from 50 feet <br />below to 50 feet above any aquifers encountered in the hole. The remainder of the hole is to be <br />filled with an approved completion mud, gel, cuttings, or cement to within 10 feet of the surface. A <br />10 foot cement surface plug would be set, and an appropriately labeled monument marker to be <br />cemented into the surface plug. For monitoring wells, the surface casing will be cut off at or below <br />the level of the soil surface. ALC may elect to fill the hole in its entirety with cement. <br />2.2.8 Access <br />Primary routes used to access the exploration area are Highway 133 to the West Elk Mine entrance <br />and the private and National Forest administrative road through Sylvester Gulch to National Forest <br />System Road (NFSR) 711. Approximately 0.4 miles of NFSR 711 will be used to access the <br />Sylvester Gulch Road. <br />Secondary access may use the Gunnison County Road 710 to Lick Creek. Access is controlled <br />through a gate at the bottom of the Lick Creek Road on MCC's fee surface to the exploration area. <br />Additionally there may be access via NFSR 711 and the spurs 711 -2C to the proposed sites and <br />711 -2A. Refer to Map 1 for road identification. <br />NFSR 711 has been maintained by MCC as an access road to exploration drill holes and methane <br />drainage well sites for 17 years. Upgrades and improvements to the road include gravel base, <br />culverts, ditches, gates, and drainage control structures. Ongoing maintenance is a condition of <br />MCC's Road Use Permit. <br />2.2.9 Reclamation Plan <br />Final reclamation activities will follow the completion of the hole as soon as possible. Upon <br />completion of all drilling activities at each site; debris, trash, and drilling equipment will be <br />removed. Mud pit(s), once sufficiently dry, will be filled with stored subsoil and compacted. <br />Remaining subsoil will be redistributed on and around the drill pad to the original contour. Stored <br />topsoil will be distributed evenly over the disturbed pad area. <br />June 2013 8 <br />