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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />In addition, active erosion in the Collom Gulch channel is causing further incision, which is lowering the <br />unconfined groundwater table found in the valley. The incision in Collom Gulch is at least two feet and <br />in excess of 20 feet in sections before that flow of Collom Gulch exits through the `hogback' and flows <br />onto the Mancos Shale located in the Axial Basin to the north. The incision is also widening due to the <br />down cutting and erosion of the supporting banks during periods of higher flow (normally occurring <br />during the spring). With the low surface water flow rates and the reduced flood frequency, this has <br />reduced the ability of the valley bottoms to support any agricultural use other than rangeland. <br />Local and regional agricultural economics are prohibitive to developing irrigation projects within these <br />valley bottoms, and such practices are in decline locally, especially on such a small scale as would be <br />required by the narrow and fragmented nature of irrigable bottomlands within the subject drainages. <br />The narrow width and fragmented nature of the minimal flat land, depth to groundwater, and <br />impracticality of economically irrigating or mechanically farming the valley bottoms within Collom <br />Gulch indicate that those drainages do not qualify as alluvial valley floors. <br />In conclusion, no adverse impact to the water environment downstream of the reclaimed Collom Pit is <br />projected. <br />Collom—Rule 2, Page 125 Revision Date: 11/16/16 <br />Revision No.: MR -166 <br />