2014-10-31_PERMIT FILE - C1981044 (9)

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The Big Bottom hayfields and pastureland are flood - irrigated. The main irrigation ditches utilized in the flood - irrigation are depicted on the Structures and Renewable Resources Map (Map 25). It is possible to augment crop production by sub - irrigation, but the regional practice of flood - irrigation is followed in the Big Bottom area. As a point of fact, the Axial Basin Ranch Company upgraded the main irrigation ditches in the Big Bottom area during 1982, further demonstrating that flood - irrigation is the main method of obtaining good yields from the hayfields and pastures. The hydrology of the Big Bottom alluvium is discussed in greater detail in Section 2.04.7, Hydrology Information. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WILLIAMS FORK RIVER AVF Like the Yampa River AVF, the Williams Fork River AVF has very little topographic relief. This is typical of the valley floors found throughout the area. Near the MCM Williams Fork Mines, the valley floor is approximately 800 to 1,000 feet wide. The soils have been extensively mapped and are similar to the soils found in the Yampa River AVF. Except for the marshy areas and alkali flats, the soils are conducive to hay production. MCM has contracted with area ranchers to hay the fields to the north and south of the No. 5 Mine surface facilities. South of the No. 5 Mine facilities is a hayfield on the east side of the tail track. To the north of the No. 5 Mine are three hayfields adjacent to the train scale and paralleling the railroad track spur. The hayfields are primarily dry-land hay, with some flood - irrigation. The Worthington Ditch has provided water to the hayfields. A minor amount of sub - irrigation may augment the flood - irrigation of these fields, however, the agricultural activity in this area is primarily supported by flood irrigation, as is evidenced by the existing irrigation ditches. The hydrology of the Williams Fork alluvium is discussed in greater detail in Section 2.04.7, Hydrology Information. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ON THE YAMPA AND WILLIAMS FORK RIVER AVF'S The only facilities located on the Yampa River AVF are ground water monitoring wells YAW -1, YAW -2, YAW -5, YAW -6, and 81 -19. As previously discussed, construction of surface facilities in the Williams Fork AVF area occurred as early as 1935. In conjunction with the more recent mining, MCM's predecessor companies expanded the existing surface facilities by permitting and constructing a drainage and sediment control system, coal storage silo, and mine water handling system. In previous permit submittals (1983), construction of a conveyor belt from the No. 9 Portal to the coal storage silo was planned, however with closure of the No. 9 Mine, the conveyor belt and associated structure was no longer needed, so it was never constructed. MINING OPERATIONS UNDER THE YAMPA AND WILLIAMS FORK RIVER AVF'S The now abandoned No. 9 Mine has development entries under the Yampa River AVF, however, no full extraction mining was conducted. An AVF exemption for this past mining was requested and approved by the CMLRD and OSM. A copy of the AVF Exemption Request is included in Exhibit 4, AVF Exemption Request, and the extent of the No. 9 Mine workings is shown on the No. 5 Mine Plan Map (Map 23). No ongoing or future mining is planned for the No. 9 Mine, and the mine portals have been sealed and reclaimed. Mains and sub -mains (partial extraction only) for the No. 5 Mine were extended under both the Yampa and Williams Fork River AVF's, however, no further mining, either partial or full extraction, is anticipated or planned for the No. 5 Mine (F Seam). Mains and sub -mains for the No. 6 Mine (E Seam) were extended under the Williams Fork River AVF and are projected to extend under the Yampa River AVF, however, MCM has no current plans to conduct any additional or future, partial or full extraction mining under the Yampa or Williams Fork River AVF's. TR13 -36 2.06 -3 Revised 06/23/14