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In that areas to be mined presently contribute relatively little water to alluvial valley floors, any <br /> degraded water that might reach an alluvial valley floor would be diluted by other sources. In <br /> addition, alluvial valley floors are protected by both stream buffer zones and treatment of runoff <br /> from disturbed areas by sediment ponds. <br /> The Gossard Loadout is located near the confluence of Wilson and Taylor Creeks and the <br /> alluvial valley floor associated with Wilson Creek. There is a slight potential for waters of <br /> degraded quality to reach alluvial materials near the loadout. An alluvial well located near the <br /> loadout is monitoring this situation. Runoff from the surrounding areas above the loadout are <br /> diverted around the disturbance and waters from the disturbance itself are treated in sediment <br /> ponds and must meet CDPS standards before being released. <br /> Waters leaching salts from reclaimed spoils may eventually reach Taylor, Wilson and Good <br /> Spring Creeks. It is believed that these spoil waters will still meet CDPS standards and will not <br /> contribute salts in levels that would warrant changes in the approved mining and reclamation <br /> plans. This situation will be monitored through alluvial wells located on Wilson Creek(near the <br /> Gossard Loadout) and on Good Spring Creek and West Fork Good Spring Creek, both above and <br /> below mining disturbances. <br /> A particular concern raised by the Division during its review of Permit Renewal No. 2 (RN-02) <br /> was the potential that high salinity spoil water discharged from proposed South Taylor Pit <br /> backfill areas into the West Fork of Good Spring Creek would increase salinity levels on the <br /> main stem of Good Spring Creek, potentially causing material damage by significantly reducing <br /> forage production on irrigated fields on the Good Spring Creek alluvial valley floor. The <br /> potential for material damage was assessed by the Division based on salt loading projections. <br /> Based on this analysis, the Division has determined that the proposed operation will not result in <br /> material damage to the Good Spring Creek alluvial valley floor. Monitoring of spoil springs, <br /> alluvial aquifers on the West Fork and main stem of Good Spring Creek, and surface water in the <br /> West Fork and main stem will be conducted to verify that worst case salt loading projections are <br /> not exceeded. <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 /> The Division finds that activities proposed by Colowyo will not interrupt, discontinue, or <br /> preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that are irrigated or naturally sub-irrigated. In <br /> addition, the proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the <br /> surface or ground water system described above. Surface coal mining and reclamation <br /> operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley <br /> floors outside the permit area and to reestablish the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial <br /> valley floors within the affected area throughout the mining and reclamation process. <br /> Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance January 5,2023 <br /> Permit Renewal No. 8 Page 159 <br />