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Yampa River. Map 15 shows a flood irrigated field at the confluence of Foidel Creek and <br />Middle Creek and a number of flood irrigated fields along the Trout Creek AVF <br />downstream from the Middle Creek confluence. <br />In the 1983 Findings for the Foidel Creek Mine, the Division concluded that lower Foidel <br />Creek, lower Middle Creek and lower Trout Creek were alluvial valley floors because of a <br />presumed capability to support flood irrigated and subirrigated agricultural activities. The <br />Trout Creek AVF was addressed previously in this section. Subirrigated alluvium on <br />Middle Creek downstream of Routt County Road No. 27 crossing does not meet AVF <br />criteria due to limited farmable acreage, as was also discussed previously. <br />The alluvial body at the confluence of Foidel Creek and Middle Creek, extending from the <br />County Road No. 33 crossing of Middle Creek upstream on Middle Creek to the first <br />Trout Creek irrigation diversion as depicted on Map No. 15, Water Rights and Alluvial <br />Valley Floors, does meet alluvial valley floor criteria based upon existing flood irrigation <br />and a presumed capability to support subirrigated vegetation. These findings do not <br />address areas further upstream on Middle Creek, as they are not hydrologically connected <br />to the proposed mining operation. The required findings for the identified alluvial valley <br />floor at the confluence of Foidel Creek and Middle Creek are set forth below. <br />1. The proposed mining operations will not interrupt, discontinue or preclude farming on <br />the alluvial valley floor. <br />The mine plan for the Eastern Mining District was shortened from the originally <br />proposed panel length for longwall panels 9R and 8R. Longwall panels in the Eastern <br />Mining District did not undermine the Foidel Creek/Middle Creek Confluence AVF. <br />Longwall panels 6RT through 2RT in Eastern Mining District presented in PR -04 <br />undermined a portion of Middle Creek; however, the affected portion of Middle Creek <br />is not designated as an AVF. <br />Regarding PR -11, a small section of Foidel Creek above the confluence of Middle <br />Creek will be undermined with the 4RT and 5 RT panels in the WCR. A very small <br />increase in surface area of Foidel Creek and no surface area increase in Middle Creek <br />is predicted resulting from mining in the WCR proposed with PR -11. A potential <br />increase in subirrigation may increase productivity in the upland areas surrounding <br />Foidel Creek. The potential for fissures development and water loss (stream pirating) <br />is very low. The AVF will be monitored in accordance with the plan included in <br />Exhibit 4E-11 of the permit. <br />2. The proposed mining operations will not cause material damage to the quantity or <br />quality of surface and ground water that supply the alluvial valley floor. <br />As discussed in the PHC Section of this document, significant dewatering of the Foidel <br />Creek or Middle Creek stream/alluvial systems due to undermining would be <br />precluded by the low vertical permeabilities between the Wadge seam and the alluvia. <br />Stream flow loss to surficial tensional cracks which may develop is expected to be <br />minimal and the fine-grained nature of the alluvium will rapidly fill any cracks that <br />Foidel Creek Mine 49 February 25, 2016 <br />