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Pine Gulch and ephemeral deposits, there would appear to be no potential for <br /> future surface irrigation along Pine Gulch within the permit area. <br /> Additionally, there is not sufficient alluvial ground water to enhance the <br /> productivity of agriculturally useful vegetation along Pine Gulch within the <br /> permit area. The operator has indicated that the area of confluence of Pine Gulch <br /> with Hay Gulch, which lies several miles beyond the permit area, is an alluvial <br /> valley floor where agricultural practices are being conducted. This agricultural <br /> activity depends primarily on irrigation water diverted to the area from the La <br /> Plata River and does not depend on surface or ground water associated with <br /> Pine Gulch. While sub-irrigation may also be a factor in the productivity of <br /> this area, it is the opinion of the Natural Resource Conservation Service <br /> (NRCS)that this sub-irrigation would most likely be related to the Hay Gulch <br /> water table. <br /> The Division finds that activities proposed by the applicant will not interrupt, <br /> discontinue, or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that are irrigated <br /> or naturally sub-irrigated (4.24.3(1)). <br /> The proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of <br /> water in the surface or ground water system described above (4.24.3(3) and <br /> 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)). <br /> The proposed activities will comply with the requirements of the Act and the <br /> Regulations with respect to alluvial valley floors (2.06.8(5)(a)(iii)). <br /> Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve <br /> the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit <br /> area and to reestablish the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley <br /> floors within the affected area throughout the mining and reclamation process <br /> (4.24.2). <br /> B. GCC's alluvial ground water monitoring wells in the Hay Gulch AVF satisfy <br /> the requirement to install, maintain, and operate an environmental monitoring <br /> system on alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation <br /> operations, and is to be continued until all bonds are released in accordance with <br /> Rule 3 (4.24.4). <br /> XVIIL Operations on Prime Farmland <br /> The King Coal Mine will not disturb or otherwise affect any prime farmland. <br /> XIX. Mountaintop Removal <br /> 27 <br />