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<br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance July 2018 <br />Permit Renewal No. 7 P a g e | 56 <br />A particular concern raised by the Division during the PR-02 review was the potential that high <br />salinity spoil water discharged from proposed South Taylor Pit backfill areas into the West Fork <br />of Good Spring Creek would increase salinity levels on the main stem of Good Spring Creek, <br />potentially causing material damage by significantly reducing forage production on irrigated fields <br />on the Good Spring Creek alluvial valley floor. The potential for material damage was assessed <br />by the Division based on salt loading projections. Based on this analysis, the Division has <br />determined that the proposed operation will not result in material damage to the Good Spring Creek <br />alluvial valley floor. Monitoring of spoil springs, alluvial aquifers on the West Fork and main <br />stem of Good Spring Creek, and surface water in the West Fork and main stem will be conducted <br />to verify that worst case salt loading projections are not exceeded. <br /> <br />Details of Colowyo's water monitoring plan are found in Section 4.05.13 of the PAP. <br />D. Specific Findings Required by Rule 4.24 <br /> <br />The Division finds that activities proposed by Colowyo will not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude <br />farming on the alluvial valley floors that are irrigated or naturally sub-irrigated. In addition, the <br />proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the surface or <br />ground water system described above. Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be <br />conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit <br />area and to reestablish the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the <br />affected area throughout the mining and reclamation process. <br /> <br />An environmental monitoring system will be installed, maintained, and operated by the permittee <br />on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and continued <br />until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3 (Rule 4.24.4). <br />XXIII. Operations on Steep Slopes – Limited Variances – Rule 4.27.4 <br /> <br />The operations conducted at the Mine are found to be in full compliance with Rules 4.27.4 and <br />2.06.5. <br /> <br />With the approval of Permit Revision No. 2, the Division approved a limited variance from <br />approximate original contour for the South Taylor Pit. This variance is for areas with slopes of 20 <br />percent or greater. <br /> <br />The Division has not authorized the retention of a highwall remnant for the South Taylor Pit. The <br />highwall will be ripped and dozed to a 3:1 slope to blend in to the approved post-mining <br />topography. <br /> <br />Colowyo will be reducing steep slopes (20 percent and greater) along the perimeter of the South <br />Taylor Pit to no more than 3:1. These reduced slopes will decrease the peak flows from runoff <br />from precipitation and snow melt, thereby reducing the contribution of suspended solids to the <br />receiving streams. The watershed will, thereby, be improved. More detail can be found in the