APPCOR10289 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• -2- upstream and downstream of the proposed mining operation. Fish Creek, therefore, a parently has sufficient water available to support flood irrigation. Fish Creek is, therefore, found to be an alluvial valley floor because of both flood irrigation and subirrigation capabilities. No informai"ton has been provided concerning the significance of the alluvial vallley floor to farming. This does not present a problem, the Divisioncan proceed by making all three alluvial valley floor findings for 'the Fish Creek AVF. Since no minijng activities would take place within or beneath the alluvial vall',ey floor, a finding that mining operations would not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the AVF could be made. The applicant has been requested to expand his assessment of probable hydrologic c nsequences to examine possible effects on the quantity and quality of f~ow in the Fish Creek stream/alluvial aquifer systems. Once a satisfJactory assessment is received, the Division can proceed to make a material damage finding. Additional adequacy concerns may arise at that time: The finding that the essential hydrologic functions would be restored or preserved is ,closely linked to the material damage finding. Since there is no physical disturbance within the AVF itself, if there is no material damage to th surface and ground water that supply the AVF, the essential hydrologic f~nctions would be preserved. May 6 (Twent,~mile Park Hydrology) of the Eckman Park permit application identifies several areas of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits along Foidel Creek.. Some of these areas lie upstream of the proposed Foidel Creek Mine aid would not be affected by the proposed mining operation. Therefore, no alluvial valley floor determination will be made for those areas that life upstream of the USGS-WRD gaging station near Pinnacle Peak. Three other ~reas lie adjacent to or downstream from the proposed mining operation. he first lies in an area immediately adjacent to the proposed operation an~ the existing surface mining operations. The second area occurs downs ream in sections 21, 22, and 28, and the third area is located at tie confluence of Foidel Creek and Middle Creek. The applicant has provided isufficient information for a preliminary alluvial valley floor determilnation for the first area.. No information has been provided for the availability of water for the lower areas. The Division could write findin s for these areas if necessary by assuming that the second and third ar as are alluvial valley floors. Foidel Creek (Area Adjacent to the Pro osed Under round Mine and Existi Surface Mine, Map 6 of the,Eckman Park permit application identifies unconsolidated streamlaid deposits along Foidel Creek in sections 28, 29, 31, and 32 (T5N, R86W).~ The applicant has not identified any historic or existing flood irrigation in this area of Foidel Creek. Flood irrigation was historicallyipracticed in areas several miles upstream of the potential AVF, but was ',discontinued for reasons of poor water availability.