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<br /> <br /> <br /> 62 C1981-041 RN7 findings <br />approval of SL-3, reclamation liability would be released on approximately 7,294 <br />acres of the permit area, which currently (November 9, 2007) encompasses 10,310 <br />acres. Over 2000 acres of land underlain by Permit C-81-041 underground workings <br />are included in the area of proposed liability release; remaining lands proposed for <br />release were neither undermined nor affected by surface disturbances or facilities <br />associated with Permit C-81-041. Please refer to the Division’s October 31, 2007 <br />Proposed Decision and Findings document for SL-3, for further details. <br /> <br />XVI. Concurrent Surface and Underground Mining <br /> <br />A landowner in T10S, R98W, Section 35, has been approved for a minerals extraction <br />permit M1996-076. The Minerals permit does not overlie active underground <br />workings. No additional underground coal mining will occur in this area, and no more <br />is anticipated under this permit. <br /> <br />The Division finds that the requirements of Rule 4.22.3 have been met. <br /> <br />XVII. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <br /> <br />The permittee's alluvial valley floor investigations in Section 2.06.8 of Tab 21, <br />Volume 6, of the application have been reviewed for compliance. <br /> <br />There are three separate areas where alluvial valley floors must be assessed: <br /> <br />1. The surface facilities area and adjacent areas at the Roadside North and South <br />Portals, and Unit Train Loadout (UTL); <br />2. The Cottonwood/Rapid Creek drainages and adjacent areas which will be <br />undermined by the Roadside mine; and <br /> 3. The Colorado River Alluvial Valley Floor. <br /> <br />Drainages in the North Portal mining area are characterized by steep sided canyons <br />with deeply incised channels, limited areas of alluvial deposition, and no flood <br />irrigated or subirrigated agriculture. Headwaters for these drainages are at relatively <br />low elevations in the Book Cliffs, and the streams exhibit intermittent or ephemeral <br />flow regimes. Insufficient surface water availability and saline soils eliminate Coal <br />Creek, Jerry Creek and their tributaries from alluvial valley floor consideration. <br />Drainages in the bookcliffs with characteristics similar to those in the permit area are <br />not typically developed for irrigated agriculture (OSM, June, 1985 “Reconnaissance <br />Maps to Assist in Identifying Alluvial Valley Floors, West-Central Colorado”). <br /> <br />Potential AVF areas within and adjacent to the permit area are addressed below. See <br />Tab 21 of the application for further information. <br /> <br />Facilities Area <br /> <br />The permittee identified approximately 500 acres of land within the reconnaissance