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On October 31, 2007 the Division issued a proposed decision to approve a Release <br /> from Liability of Areas Overlying Underground Workings (SL-3). Upon final <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 /> XVI. Concurrent Surface and Underground Mining <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 /> The Division finds that the requirements of Rule 4.22.3 have been met. <br /> XVIL Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <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 /> There are three separate areas where alluvial valley floors must be assessed: <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 /> 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 /> Potential AVF areas within and adjacent to the permit area are addressed below. See <br /> Tab 21 of the application for further information. <br /> 60 <br />