2013-08-13_PERMIT FILE - X201323004 (2)

Home Browse Search

APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION TO FEDERAL COAL EXPLORATION LICENSE COC- 74817 Blue Mountain Energy, Inc. applied for and received a Federal Coal Exploration License (COC- 74817) on certain unleased Federal Coal Lands in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The two -year license was issued on November 01, 2011 and is valid through October 2013. A total of 15 holes were rotary drilled on COC -74817 during the fall of 2011. The data showed the B -Seam coal to be highly variable in thickness and contain rock partings. More closely spaced drilling and core drilling is needed to confirm the coal quality and mineability of the deposit. Blue Mountain Energy, Inc is requesting modification to its current exploration plan to allow for additional drilling. The exploratory drilling program described herein will better define the quantity and quality of coal in this area that adjoins the Deserado Mine Logical Mining Unit. The location of the Deserado Mine LMU, consisting of the seven Federal coal leases, and the relation to COC -74817 are shown in Figure 1 -1. Blue Mountain Energy requests this proposed additional exploration to occur under COC- 74817. The proposed drilling modifications, related disturbed lands and exploration schedule are described herein. Depending upon approval and driller availability, drilling activities would commence in the fall of 2012. This request for modification supplements the information provided in the Exploration License Application of February, 2011 (revised July, 2011). All other information remains unchanged from the approved exploration plan. This modification is expected to have little or no new impacts on resources and will comply with all provisions and stipulations within COC -74817 and the approved exploration plan. Potential affects to soils, vegetation, wildlife, surface and subsurface hydrology are likely to remain unchanged. Access to the drill sites will continue to use existing roads and trails and avoid gully crossings to the extent possible. A cultural resource survey was conducted for the originally proposed drill sites and access. Because additional surface disturbances are requested by this modification, a new field inventory of cultural, historical and archeological resources will be conducted by an approved cultural resource professional. The findings of the cultural survey will be submitted to the White River Field Office Manager for approval and no surface disturbing activities will be conducted until authorized.