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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 from <br /> disturbed areas by sediment ponds. <br /> The Gossard Loadout is located near the confluence of Wilson and Taylor Creeks and the alluvial <br /> valley floor associated with Wilson Creek. There is a slight potential for waters of degraded quality <br /> to reach alluvial materials near the loadout. An alluvial well located near the loadout is monitoring <br /> this situation. Runoff from the surrounding areas above the loadout are diverted around the <br /> disturbance and waters from the disturbance itself are treated in sediment ponds and must meet <br /> CDPS standards before being released. <br /> Waters leaching salts from reclaimed spoils may eventually reach Taylor, Wilson and Good Spring <br /> Creeks. It is believed that these spoil waters will still meet CDPS standards and will not contribute <br /> salts in levels that would warrant changes in the approved mining and reclamation plans. This <br /> situation will be monitored through alluvial wells located on Wilson Creek (near the Gossard <br /> Loadout) and on Good Spring Creek and West Fork Good Spring Creek, both above and below <br /> mining disturbances. <br /> A particular concern raised by the Division during its review of Permit Renewal No. 2 (RN-02) was <br /> the potential that high salinity spoil water discharged from proposed South Taylor Pit backfill areas <br /> into the West Fork of Good Spring Creek would increase salinity levels on the main stem of Good <br /> Spring Creek, potentially causing material damage by significantly reducing forage production on <br /> irrigated fields on the Good Spring Creek alluvial valley floor. The potential for material damage <br /> was assessed by the Division based on salt loading projections. Based on this analysis, the Division <br /> has determined that the proposed operation will not result in material damage to the Good Spring <br /> Creek 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 to <br /> verify that worst case salt loading projections are 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 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 affected <br /> area throughout the mining and reclamation process. <br /> 55 <br /> Permit Revision No.5(PR-05),G 1981-019 <br />